Aurelian Iftimiu

Probable first cell of St. Paisius Velichkovsky discovered on Holy Mount Athos

A small stone hut believed to be the first monastic habitation of St. Paisius Velichkovsky during his time on the Holy Mount Athos was recently discovered by a group of monks who were cutting back the thickets of the monastery forest. The monks invited Sergei Shumilo, Director of the International Institute of the Athonite Legacy,…

Dec 16, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s central bank issues coin marking Kretzulescu Church’s 300th anniversary

The Romanian National Bank (BNR) has issued a gold coin to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the building of Kretzulescu Church in Bucharest. The obverse of the coin features Bucharest’s Kretzulescu Church, the year of issue “2022,” the coat of arms of Romania, the denomination “100 LEI,” and the word “ROMANIA.” On the coin’s reverse…

Nov 29, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel offers remedy for secularisation during Bucharest monastic synaxis

During the annual assembly of the superiors of all monasteries within the Archdiocese of Bucharest, which took place last Thursday at the Patriarchal Palace, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel shared his thoughts on prayer, hesychasm, and the antidote to secularisation. The most concise and intense prayer “The first duty of a monk or nun is to…

Nov 28, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod Library marks 60th anniversary of the repose of hesychast elder Daniil Sandu Tudor

The Library of the Holy Synod organised an event last Thursday to mark the 60th anniversary of the blessed repose of hieroschemamonk Daniil Sandu Tudor, the founder of the unique spiritual movement called the Burning Bush (Rugul Aprins). A radio play titled “Sandu Tudor – The Flower of Fire of the Burning Bush” was heard.…

Nov 24, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Annual report on intolerance against Christians in Europe draws attention to chilling effect

The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe (OIDAC) released its annual report in the context of the International Day of Tolerance (Nov. 16). It focuses on three main developments of intolerance against Christians in European countries: Anti-Christian hate crimes, self-censorship and negative stereotypes and treatment of Christians in the media. OIDAC provides…

Nov 23, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: November 14 – 20, 2022

The first snow fell in several cities in Romania after entering the second half of November. We invite you to view our weekly pictures selection between November 14 and November 20, 2022. Last week’s most-liked Instagram post:   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Basilica.ro (@basilica.ro) Do you want to be…

Nov 23, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Relics of soon-to-be canonised Romanian Athonite Elder exhumed

The Patriarch of Romania delegated Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova to attend the exhumation ceremony of the relics of Elder Dionisie Ignat, which took place at St George Cell of Colciu Skete on Mount Athos last week. The monks of Vatopedi Monastery, on whose territory the cell where Father Dionisie Ignat lived, unearthed the relics…

Nov 22, 2022Aurelian 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