Aurelian 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

Patriarchate’s Spokesperson Bănescu comments on EU recommendations regarding Christmas ceremonies: They can’t impose anything

Vasile Bănescu, the spokesman of the Romanian Patriarchate, commented on the recommendations of the European Commission Christmas services should be replaced with online ceremonies. “The European Commission does not decide and cannot impose anything in the essential sphere of religion; it can only issue recommendations (!) related to encouraging and intensifying protection from the new…

Dec 3, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania: We have never received something as a gift in our history. Everything was obtained through sacrifice

‘The union of Romanians in a single national unitary state was accomplished after centuries of suffering, many spiritual and material sacrifices, sacrifices of human lives,’ Patriarch Daniel stressed during a Te Deum service at the Patriarchal Cathedral celebrating Romania’s National Day on Tuesday. The Patriarch underlined that Romania’s Great Union was not a random event,…

Dec 1, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Authentic church calendars are not convertible into election material

The Romanian Patriarchate was surprised to learn that during the election campaign a political entity printed, in order to offer citizens as electoral material, Christian-Orthodox calendars that contain not only a political logo, but also liturgical and typicon mistakes, omissions or erroneous inscriptions of some recently canonized Romanian saints and of some religious holidays. Beyond…

Nov 26, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

In brief: 10 things you need to know about the National Cathedral

The need to build a National Cathedral in Bucharest was considered after the War of Independence and the proclamation of Romania as a Kingdom. King Carol I passed a law on this endeavour in 1884. The original place of the Cathedral was established by Patriarch Miron in 1929: at the base of the Hill of…

Nov 26, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu