Aurelian Iftimiu

On name day, Romanian Patriarch turns his thoughts to refugees and exiles; calls Prophet Daniel and Three Holy Youths their protectors

During a doxology at the Patriarchal Cathedral last Thursday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel turned his thoughts to refugees and exiles, stressing that the Prophet Daniel and the Three Holy Youths are their patron saints. Prayers of thanksgiving were offered during a short service attended by members of the staff of the Romanian Patriarchate and the…

Dec 22, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s Christmas Encyclical 2020: full text

Please find below the full text of the pastoral letter of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania on the feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ 2020: † DANIEL By God’s Grace, Archbishop of Bucharest, Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrudja, Locum tenens of the throne of Caesarea of Cappadocia and Patriarch of the…

Dec 15, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Three families receive housing from diocese of Huşi in time for winter

Three more needy families have received housing from the Romanian Huşi Diocese as part of the diocesan Joy is at Home project. Thus far, seven houses have been provided to families without material means. The first three were given to their respective families on June 1, in honour of International Children’s Day. On Wednesday, December 9,…

Dec 11, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel invests new spiritual fathers with ‘apostolic power to remit sins’

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel invested seven priests from the Archdiocese of Bucharest with ‘the apostolic power’ to retain and remit sins during a special ceremony held at St George’s Chapel at the patriarchal residence on Thursday, December 10, 2020. “The Holy Apostles received from the Saviour Jesus Christ, on the day of His Resurrection, the…

Dec 11, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel says spiritual guidance is a holy work of balance, which avoids extremes

Patriarch Daniel invested six new spiritual fathers during a blessing service held at the Chapel of St George at the patriarchal residence on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. “This holy work is a work of balance. A good spiritual father avoids extremes; he avoids relativism or laxity and exaggerated rigour,” said the Patriarch. “If we say,…

Dec 11, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

In pictures: Autumn patronal feast at Chapel of National Cathedral 2020

The Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiesti presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Chapel of the National Cathedral on the feast day of Saint John Chrysostom, one of the church’s patron saints, on Friday, November 13, 2020. Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaPhotos!

Dec 11, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Download this free Orthodox colouring book for children!

A new Orthodox colouring book for children is now available for free download. The ebook, available in PDF format, was published by the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Macarie. The colouring book includes icons of the Mother of God painted by iconographers Toma Chituc and Mihai Coman…

Dec 9, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Stay away from formalism, malice and hypocrisy: Bishop Timotei of Prahova

The assistant bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, His Grace Timotei of Prahova, urged everyone to stay away from the state of formalism, malice and hypocrisy.” “If we have something to say, we should always tell the person in question, not talk around the corner. Not indirectly, not hitting in some and in others, as…

Dec 8, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Museum of Communist Terror will help generations who lived during communism to overcome trauma, Romanian CultMin says

Last week, the Minister of Culture, Bogdan Gheorghiu, highlighted the importance of the Museum of Communist Terror for those who survived the communist period, but also for today’s young people. “This museum will help the generations that lived in communism to overcome the collective trauma through cultural expressions that can offer the feeling of resolution,…

Dec 8, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint Nicholas is a symbol of generosity and a friend of children: Patriarch Daniel

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel Sunday said that Saint Nicholas is a symbol of generosity and a friend of children. “Saint Nicholas is a helper of orphans, of the sick, of people in difficulty, but especially he is a friend of children.” The Patriarch said that during this period, children often confuse Saint Nick with Santa…

Dec 7, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel casts ballot in 2020 Romania legislative election

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel cast his ballot Sunday to elect a new bicameral parliament for the next four years. The Patriarch voted at his local polling station at Ienachita Vacarescu School in Bucharest. After voting, the Patriarch offered prayer cards to those present at the polling station. Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu

Dec 6, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu