Aurelian Iftimiu

5 encouraging quotes from Patriarch Teoctist’s first Christmas encyclical (1986)

In his first Christmas encyclical in 1986, Romania’s former Patriarch Teoctist Arapasu noted that the Nativity shows how much God loves us and how much the price of human life is before God. 1. What can give wings to the mind towards the deep and mysterious meaning of life; what can inflame the heart towards…

Dec 24, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

5 motivational quotes from Patriarch Iustin’s first Christmas encyclical (1977)

In his first pastoral encyclical on the Nativity of the Lord in 1977, Romania’s fourth Patriarch Iustin Moisescu stressed the joyful way Christians need to welcome the Baby Jesus in their lives. 1. Listening to Christmas hymns, let us all now bow our heads before the icon of the Nativity, thanking God for the saving…

Dec 24, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

5 key quotes from Patriarch Justinian’s first Christmas encyclical (1948)

In his first Christmas encyclical in 1948, Romania’s third Patriarch Justinian Marina emphasized that the news of the Nativity did not resonate in marble palaces, but in the pure hearts of the poor, of those who worked without rest. 1. As we prepare to honour, according to tradition, the great feast of the Incarnation of…

Dec 24, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

5 inspiring quotes from Patriarch Nicodim’s first Christmas encyclical (1939)

In his first pastoral letter on the Nativity of the Lord in 1939, at the beginning of the Second World War, Romania’s second Patriarch Nicodim Munteanu urged the faithful to remember the cave in Bethlehem in times of unrest and insecurity, because only through the One born in it they would find escape, tranquillity, and…

Dec 24, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

5 powerful quotes from Patriarch Miron’s first Christmas encyclical (1926)

Patriarch Miron Cristea, the first Patriarch of Romania, wrote his first Christmas pastoral letter in 1926. In the five selected quotes below, the Patriarch points to wealth and poverty as possible obstacles in fulfilling the Christian’s purpose, the real power of mastery, sacrifice, as well as the conditions in which social well-being can be achieved.…

Dec 24, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Make your heart a bright and pure cave, Australia’s Romanian Bishop Mihail urges in Christmas encyclical

In this year’s Christmas encyclical, His Grace Bishop Mihail of Australia and New Zealand emphasizes that the Nativity of the Saviour represents the fulfilment of all Old Testament prophecies. Through Him, divine revelation is concrete, complete, and perfect. “By the birth of Christ, the prophecies which God the Father revealed to His elect in the…

Dec 24, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s Christmas Message 2021: Let’s pay special attention to children whose parents work abroad | VIDEO

In this year’s Christmas message, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasizes that Christmas urges us to pay more attention to children whose parents have gone to work abroad. Patriarch Daniel’s Christmas Message 2021: full text The Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ or Christmas announces to us the humble and generous love of…

Dec 23, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

The Holy Prophet Daniel inspired Patriarch Daniel to serve Romanians abroad

The Holy Prophet Daniel, a pastor for his people during the Babylonian exile, is the spiritual protector of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, who leads the Romanian Orthodox Church during the most extensive spread of Romanians on all meridians of the globe. Intrinsically, the Prophet Daniel is a source of inspiration for the many initiatives coordinated…

Dec 17, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

New decisions of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church met on Thursday, December 16, 2021, for a working session at the “Patriarch Teoctist” Great Hall of the Palace of the Patriarchate under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The Holy Synod elected by secret ballot His Grace Assistant Bishop Nestor of Hunedoara as new Bishop…

Dec 17, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Justin: Christmas is not magic. Christmas is life, truth, reality

In his speech on Sunday at the Orthodox Cathedral of Baia Mare, His Grace Bishop Justin of Maramureș and Sătmar spoke about the spiritual and historical reality of the Feast of the Nativity, which contrasts with the new trends of limiting the religious message. Bishop Justin spoke to the faithful about the dangers of false…

Dec 16, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Banat Metropolitan Ioan donates hundreds of kilograms of food for refugees

Many migrants, mainly Afghans, transit Romania’s western city of Timisoara on their way to the West. The Orthodox Church and local organizations offer them help as winter draws near. His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat has constantly donated hundreds of kilograms of food for migrants. The metropolitan said that he saw Romanians in the same…

Dec 16, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu