Aurelian Iftimiu

Factbox: Church and Romanian Diaspora today

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church declared 2021 a Solemn Year of the pastoral care of Romanians outside Romania. Why is pastoral care of the diaspora so important and under what conditions does it take place? The term diaspora refers to members of an ethnic group who leave their place of origin and…

Jan 8, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

They are the Patron Saints of Romanians outside Romania

Whether they are part of the Romanian communities in the vicinity of the country’s borders, or whether they have gone to work, study or settled permanently in other places than their homeland, Romanian Orthodox believers are in the care of the Church on all meridians of the globe. “Romanians outside Romania” are generically named by…

Jan 8, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel awards Patriarchate’s diploma, medal to 27 COVID hospital units in Bucharest Archdiocese

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel ended the Commemorative Year of the Romanian Orthodox Philanthropists by signing, on the last day of the year, diplomas of merit for 27 public and private medical units in Bucharest and Ilfov and Prahova counties, which treat COVID-19 patients. The gesture of the Patriarch of Romania is one of honour and…

Jan 8, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

PHOTO: Feast of Epiphany 2021 at the Patriarchal Cathedral

On the feast of the Lord’s Epiphany, January 6, 2021, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel officiated the Great Blessing of Waters at the porch of the Patriarchal Residence. Previously, His Grace Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești celebrated the festive Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral. Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaPhotos…

Jan 8, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Photo Gallery: Epiphany Eve at the Patriarchal Cathedral 2021

On the eve of the Epiphany, January 5, 2021, His Grace Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest. At the outdoor altar next to the cathedral, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel officiated the service of the great blessig of waters. Concelebrants included the patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of…

Jan 8, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Bishop of Canada’s advice for 2021: Let the foundation of all our words and deeds be the word of God

Inspired by the words of St Basil the Great, Romanian Bishop of Canada Ioan Casian invites us at the beginning of the year ‘to have the right compass and the true inspiration in decision-making as we confess through the word that we are Christians.’ “ Let the foundation of all our words and deeds be the…

Jan 6, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia Metropolitan Christmas Message: The year that begins is our special year

The Metropolis of Bessarabia celebrates the Nativity of the Lord on January 7, according to the unrevised Julian calendar. On this occasion, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru sent a message in which he emphasized that with the Lord’s Nativity “all are reborn and truly renewed, for all who have unwavering, constant and authentic faith in the…

Jan 6, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Epiphany Holy Water frees us from passions, evil spirits, and difficult situations

“Epiphany Holy Water is a cleanser of spiritual and bodily sins, a sanctifier of the soul and body, but also of the space in which the Christian lives. It is a deliverer from evil passions, evil spirits and difficult situations,” Patriarch Daniel said on Epiphany Day. Therefore, Christians take this holy water on an empty…

Jan 6, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel performs great blessing of waters. 10,000 bottles prepared for believers on Epiphany

10,000 bottles of Holy Water were prepared on Tuesday afternoon to be distributed to the faithful on Epiphany Day at the Patriarchal Cathedral. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel officiated the Great Blessing of Water at the outdoor altar of the patriarchal cathedral and explained how the Epiphany service and the distribution of holy water will take…

Jan 6, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel proclaims 2021 Solemn Year of pastoral care of Romanians abroad, Commemorative Year of the reposed in the Lord

During a ceremony held at the Patriarchal Cathedral on January 1, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel proclaimed 2021 as a Solemn Year of the pastoral care of the Romanians outside Romania and a Commemorative Year of the reposed in the Lord. The Romanian diaspora is the fifth largest in the world, in relation to the total…

Jan 6, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Basilica Photos: 2020 in 100 pictures

The year 2020 has brought unexpected changes in the lives of Christians. Although it was marked by suffering, uncertainty, physical distancing, it reminded us that “life is a gift from God and we must know how to live it in the worthiest way possible” (Valeriu Gafencu). Emotion, pain, but also hope were mostly reflected in…

Dec 30, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu