Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s Message for New Year 2022: VIDEO

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel wished good health and happiness, peace and joy in a video message for the New Year 2022. “On the occasion of the New Year 2022, we wish you all good health and happiness, peace and joy together with the traditional greeting: Happy New Year!”  Patriarch Daniel will officiate a service…

Dec 30, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Deva’s new bishop enthroned: I owe bishop Gurie my entire spiritual and professional growth

His Grace Bishop Nestor was enthroned as new bishop of Deva and Hunedoara during a ceremony at St Nicholas Cathedral in Deva on December 26, 2021. Being an assistant bishop for the diocese of Deva and Hunedoara for less than a year, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church elected bp Nestor as new…

Dec 30, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Offer Christ your most precious gifts, not only at Christmas but throughout life

On the Nativity of the Lord, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel urged the faithful to offer Christ their most precious gifts not only at Christmas but every day of their lives. The gifts of the faithful During his sermon on Christmas day, the Patriarch of Romania explained that Christ does not want us to bring gold,…

Dec 25, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Protopsaltes Archdeacon Mihail Bucă welcomes Holy Synod decision to commemorate church chanters in 2023

The year 2023 will be an occasion to commemorate hymnographers and church chanters (psaltes) in the Romanian Patriarchate, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church decided this December. The Reverend Archdeacon Mihail Bucă, founder and conductor of the Tronos Byzantine Choir of the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, welcomed this decision. “I feel that the…

Dec 25, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

France Orthodox Bishops pray for Orthodox unity, encourage affirmation of true faith

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of France (AEOF) resumed its regular meetings on December 14, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Metropolitan Demetrios of France (Ecumenical Patriarchate). The bishops prayed for Orthodox unity and encouraged the affirmation of the true faith. After the introductory speech of Metropolitan Demetrios, the new chairman of the AEOF,…

Dec 25, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod declares 2023 a Solemn Year of the pastoral care of the elderly and a Commemorative Year of hymnographers and church chanters

During its working session on December 16, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church declared 2023 a Solemn Year of the pastoral care of the elderly and a Commemorative Year of hymnographers and church chanters in the Romanian Patriarchate. “These grandparents who have worked all their lives must also be remembered in the Church’s…

Dec 25, 2021Aurelian 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