Aurelian Iftimiu

Synodal Decree on the Proclamation of the Solemn and Commemorative Year 2023 in the Romanian Patriarchate: full text

The year 2023 was proclaimed as the “Solemn Year of the Pastoral Care of the Elderly” and the “Commemorative Year of Hymnographers and Church Chanters” in the Romanian Patriarchate. The Synodal Decree on the Proclamation of the Solemn and Commemorative Year 2023 was read by the patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiești at New Year’s…

Jan 5, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Solemn, Commemorative Year 2023 officially proclaimed. It is a great opportunity to visit the elderly, Patriarch Daniel says

The Solemn and Commemorative Year 2023 was officially proclaimed at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest after the Divine Liturgy celebrated on New Year’s Day. The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church declared 2023 as a Solemn Year of the pastoral care of the elderly and a Commemorative Year of hymnographers and church chanters. The…

Jan 5, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Offer Christ the gold of faith and good deeds, the frankincense of prayer and the myrrh of a pure life

If rich in spirit, every Christian, whether rich or poor in material terms, “can offer Christ more precious gifts than the gifts offered by the wise men of the East.” These are “the gold of faith and good deeds, the frankincense of fervent prayer and the myrrh of a pure life,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel…

Dec 29, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Bishop of Australia and New Zealand urges faithful to welcome the New Year with persistent prayer

In his Christmas pastoral letter, His Grace Mihail, the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Australia and New Zealand, urges the faithful to greet the New Year with persistent prayer. “We can say that through Christ’s coming into the world, the Kingdom of God was opened to the world,” the bishop wrote. “It is important to emphasise…

Dec 24, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: Christmas is the time for self-knowledge

“Christmas is the time for self-knowledge, for understanding the difference between “God becoming man” and “man acting as god.” It is the time for awareness of the Christian teaching that “we do not speak of man becoming divine, but of God becoming human,” Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew wrote in this year’s Patriarchal Encyclical for the feast…

Dec 24, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Without Christ, we can do nothing for our profit or the peace of the world: Metropolitan Teofan says in his Christmas encyclical

“Without Christ, we can do nothing for our profit or the peace of the world,” Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina stressed in this year’s Christmas pastoral letter. The Metropolitan lamented the oppressive atmosphere created by the war in the neighbouring country. “The awareness that we share the suffering of those affected by war, that…

Dec 23, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s Christmas Encyclical 2022: Christ’s Nativity unites heaven and earth

“Christ’s Nativity unites heaven and earth” is the title of this year’s Christmas encyclical of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania. In his pastoral letter addressed to the plenitude of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Daniel stresses that “the Son of God, Jesus Christ, descends into the world to be born, to grow and to…

Dec 22, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s Christmas Message 2022: The Almighty became a humble Child. Innocence is His power now

In a video message for this year’s feast of the Nativity of the Lord, the Patriarch of Romania recalled that the Infant Jesus is “the peaceful joy that gushes forth from God’s humble and merciful love,” which calls us to show humble and merciful love towards our neighbours. Patriarch Daniel’s Message for Christmas 2022 and…

Dec 21, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Bp Varlaam: The Patriarch of Romania inherited qualities of the three Saints Daniel. May God grant him their longevity

On the occasion of Patriarch Daniel’s name day, an anniversary ceremony was held in the Patriarchal Cathedral on Sunday. The patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiești said that the Holy Prophet Daniel (Dec. 17) is the spiritual patron of the Patriarch of Romania. Still, His Beatitude also honours Saints Daniel the Stylite (Dec. 11) and…

Dec 20, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Christmas carols are hymns and prayers of the right-believing Romanian people

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church attended the traditional carol concert of the Romanian Patriarchate titled “The Orient from on High,” organised by the Basilica Media Centre at the Patriarchal Palace on Friday, December 16, 2022. The Patriarch of Romania addressed those present, highlighting the importance of Christmas carols. “In this Solemn…

Dec 19, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Banat Metropolitan distributes 30,000 prayer books to students

His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat is offering the students in his archdiocese a valuable Christmas gift this year. In all, 30,000 prayer books were donated by His Eminence to be distributed by local religion teachers, reports the Metropolis of Banat. The archpastor wanted every student in his diocese to “benefit from a prayer book, which…

Dec 16, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu