Aurelian Iftimiu

During the pandemic, Romanians in Italy remained united and close to God: Assistant Bishop Atanasie of Bogdania

Journalist Cristian Curte published in the weekly Formula AS an interview with His Grace Assistant Bishop Atanasie of Bogdania, who explained how the pandemic was felt in the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy. “The Romanian is connected to the Church and the other Romanians,” said the bishop, and the hidden gift of the scourge was…

Mar 18, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

A tear from the bottom of the heart could blot out many of our sins: Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova

“The Great Canon is a treasure to which we must reflect for hours and days in a row,” His Grace Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova said on the first evening of Lent at the Patriarchal Cathedral. “Tears” is one of the themes of this treasure that the bishop spoke about in his sermon. The Assistant…

Mar 18, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Tismana Abbess about Elder Gherasim Iscu’s canonization: We feel him as a father and protector

“We welcome with great joy this decision of the Holy Synod,” Nun Antonia Popescu, abbess of Tismana Monastery, told Basilica.ro upon receiving the news that Archimandrite Gherasim Iscu is one of the confessors proposed for canonization. Father Gherasim was the last abbot of the monastery before it turned into a women’s monastery. “Father was a…

Mar 17, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Paramedic Mihaela Enache: The fight for life never takes a break, but faith in God gives me strength

“The fight for life never takes a break, but faith in God gives me strength,” an emergency rescue service SMURD paramedic told AGERPRES. Major lieutenant Mihaela Nicoleta Enache from Mihăileşti Intervention Guard within Romanian General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (ISU) Giurgiu. Mihaela Enache spoke about the mission she carries out at ISU Giurgiu, the challenges…

Mar 17, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Archdiocese to open addiction treatment centre in Suceava

Assistant Bishop Damaschin of Dorna proposed establishing an addiction treatment centre in the Archdiocese of Suceava and Radauti. The proposal was made during a Synaxis (Assembly) of the Archdiocese’s abbots, abbesses and spiritual fathers on March 8, 2021. The assistant bishop to the Archdiocese of Suceava spoke about the stages of healing addictions. He stressed…

Mar 17, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

New social centre for improving living conditions for Roma children opened in Bacau

A new socio-catechetical centre was opened in Bacău County last Saturday for the benefit of Roma children. The centre, protected by Saint Parascheva, is located in the local school in Poiana Negustorului village, Blăgești commune. The project was proposed and supported by Fr. Lucian Dima from Poiana Negustorului and was implemented thanks to the support…

Mar 17, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Timisoara Archdiocese urges believers to help feed migrants during Lent

In recent months, Romania has become the main transit gateway for migrants, most of them from Afghanistan, who are trying to reach the countries of Western Europe in search of a better life. More than two-thirds of migrants crossing Romania are registered in the western city of Timisoara, many returning there after being accommodated in…

Mar 17, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

“Fasting is a struggle for each Christian. But this struggle will bring spiritual joy,” Metropolitan Nicolae says

In his meditation at the beginning of Great Lent, the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of the Americas highlighted that the fasting season is a struggle for each Christian. “Today’s world and our responsibilities in it don’t encourage our fasting. During every fast, the struggle comes in trying to find a certain balance between our ascetical efforts and fulfilling…

Mar 17, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel officiates Great Canon at patriarchal residence: Strict fast supports humble prayer

On Monday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel read the first portion of the Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete at the Patriarchal Residence’s historic chapel. On this occasion, His Beatitude emphasized that a strict fast supports humble and fervent prayer. “This practice of fasting means an abrupt beginning of the fight against sin,” the Patriarch…

Mar 17, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Forgiveness is the first condition to enter Lent

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said that forgiving the mistakes of others is “the first condition to enter this inner ascent towards Resurrection, which is Great Lent.” The Gospel on the Sunday of Adam’s Expulsion from Paradise shows us that forgiving others’ mistakes is “essential” for us to receive forgiveness from God. “Through forgiveness, we humble…

Mar 17, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ignatie recommends digital fasting: We will realize how “drugged” we are using technology

Bishop Ignatie spoke on Sunday evening, at the Diocesan Cathedral in Huși, about the need to practice giving up addictive habits, such as addiction to digital media: “The purpose of fasting is not exclusively to give up, but to change some habits that turn us into slaves.” “Digital media fasting will help us realize how…

Mar 16, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu