Aurelian Iftimiu

Benelux Orthodox Bishops concerned over the lack of Orthodox religious education teachers

The canonical Orthodox bishops of the Benelux Union voiced worry about the unavailability of instructors for Orthodox religious education during their 25th assembly last week and invited applications. The hierarchs also addressed methods to increase the quality of religious education curricula. On behalf of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe…

Nov 21, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod urges more prayer during Nativity Fast: It brings peace to our souls and world

In a pastoral letter for the first Sunday of the Nativity Fast, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church stressed that the multiplication of prayer is necessary. The Romanian hierarchs emphasised that despite the world’s current crisis, prayer has intensified in the life of the Church and the faithful. The Synodal fathers explained that…

Nov 18, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru meets Moldovan President Maia Sandu

His Eminence Petru, Archbishop of Chisinau, Metropolitan of Bessarabia and Exarch of the Territories, met on Wednesday with Her Excellency Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, at the Presidential Palace in Chisinau. During the discussions, Metropolitan Petru pointed to the Metropolis of Bessarabia’s religious, social, humanitarian, and cultural activities, emphasising the Church’s relevance…

Nov 18, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Over 300 theologians, scholars to meet in Volos at IOTA 2nd Int’l Conference

Over three hundred theologians, scholars, professionals, lay leaders, students and clergy are expected to gather in Volos, Greece, for the second international conference organised by the International Orthodox Theological Association – IOTA in January 2023. The conference theme is “Mission and the Orthodox Church”, and it begins on January 11, 2023, with an optional morning…

Nov 18, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Austria canonical Bishops set details for 2023 pan-Orthodox Youth Meeting

The canonical Orthodox bishops of Austria met at the headquarters of the Greek Metropolis in Vienna to discuss the administrative, pastoral and spiritual aspects of Orthodoxy in the region. The meeting was held on November 7, 2022, and was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Arsenios (Ecumenical Patriarchate). His Eminence Metropolitan Serafim of Germany, Central…

Nov 18, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Parish in Ludwigshafen receives relic of local bishop Saint Pirmin

The Romanian Orthodox parish in Ludwigshafen, Germany, received a particle of the relics of St. Pirmin, the patron saint of Rhineland-Palatinate, brought from Innsbruck, Austria, with the assistance of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Speyer, Dr Karl-Heinz Wiesemann. The ceremony took place on 3 November 2022, during the Vespers service officiated by His Eminence Metropolitan…

Nov 16, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Census: Orthodoxy is the largest religion in Estonia

Orthodoxy remains the most widespread religion in Estonia, according to data from the 2021 population census. Orthodox Christians currently comprise 16% of the population, reports Statistics Estonia, the country’s official statistics agency. This number has remained unchanged since the 2011 census. The faithful are divided between two jurisdictions: the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s Estonian Apostolic Orthodox…

Nov 16, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Nativity Fast begins: We bring #peaceonearth with a Christmas online campaign

Basilica.ro remains a companion for its readers and friends during the 2022 Nativity Fast with a social media Christmas campaign titled #peaceonearth. The theme was inspired by the angels who sang the first Christmas carol in Bethlehem two thousand years ago: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”…

Nov 14, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

French Saxophonist and Orthodox Priest Claude Delangle conferred with honorary doctorate from Iași Arts University

On November 3, the Orthodox priest Claude Delangle, one of the world’s finest soloists and saxophone instructors, was awarded the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa by the “George Enescu” National University of Arts in Iasi. Dr. Florin Fodor presented the “Laudatio” address. Rev. Prof. Claude Delangle praised the administration of “George Enescu” University for this…

Nov 10, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Timișoara to host 2023 Int’l Meeting of Orthodox Youth after three-year hiatus

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church resolved to resume the series of International Meetings of Orthodox Youth after a three-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. The meeting will be held in Timișoara, the capital of the Metropolis of Banat and the European Capital of Culture in 2023. The Archdiocese of Timișoara will…

Nov 10, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Metropolitan Cathedral in Paris marks triple anniversary: “Students are our predecessors here”

The patronal feast of the Romanian Metropolitan Cathedral in Paris, which is dedicated to the Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, was celebrated the previous weekend with an extended programme. The celebrations commemorated three anniversaries: 170 years since the founding of the Romanian Orthodox community in Paris, 140 years since the acquisition of the church…

Nov 10, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu