Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian priest lights Easter candles at tombs of WWI soldiers: I chanted ‘Christ is risen’ being surrounded by heroes

As a token of love and honour for those who sacrificed their lives during the First World War, the Romanian priest in Munster, Germany, went to the memorial cemetery in Dülmen with Easter candles and prayed for the souls of the departed. ‘This year, on the second day of Easter, I went together with our parish’s…

Apr 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Husi Bishop declares Apostle Thomas the Patron Saint of people who want to inform themselves from the source

The Holy Apostle Thomas can be considered the patron saint of those who want to inform themselves directly from the source, the bishop of Husi said on Sunday during his sermon which focused on the personality of Christ’s doubting apostle. St Thomas wanted to dispel any doubt through direct interaction with Christ himself. He tried…

Apr 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel thanks Pope Francis for medical equipment donated to Suceava Hospital

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel thanked Pope Francis in a letter sent on April 23 for the medical equipment donated to the St John the New Hospital in Suceava. The donation, consisting of five lung ventilators, 200 overalls, 900 FFP2 masks, and 5,000 sanitary masks, was offered on the feast day of Saint George the Trophy-bearer,…

Apr 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Saint George will help us overcome the great tribulation of coronavirus pandemic

‘The Holy Great Martyr Gorge is for us today a great helper in times of tribulation,’ His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said on Bright Thursday celebrating the patronal feast of the historic chapel of the patriarchal residence. “As he overcame the demons who worked through the persecuting pagan emperors and conquered all temptations and sufferings, so…

Apr 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Suceava assistant bishop calls for prayer for 90-year-old Archbishop Pimen after positive result

The assistant bishop to the Archdiocese of Suceava and Radauti urged the clergy and believers to join prayers for the recovery of the 90-year-old Archbishop Pimen who is hospitalized at Matei Bals Hospital in Bucharest after testing positive for coronavirus. ‘We have this spiritual duty to His Eminence Archbishop Pimen, as one who also carried…

Apr 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Church confirms €2.5 million so far in helping Romania overcome coronavirus crisis

In these days illuminated by the joy of Christ’s Resurrection, and by the pleasure of finding Orthodox Christians in communion and solidarity through the reliable support of people severely affected by the current pandemic, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel thanks the hierarchs, priests, deacons and believers of the Romanian Orthodox Church who responded to the call…

Apr 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church marks 135th anniversary of autocephaly

On Saturday, the Romanian Orthodox Church marks its 135th anniversary of autocephaly. After Romania gained its state independence in 1877 and was declared a Kingdom in 1881, the prestige of the Romanian Orthodox Church increased, making necessary the formal recognition of its autocephaly, long denied by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. On November 23, 1882, the Holy…

Apr 25, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: April 13 -19, 2020

More than 260 million people marked Easter Sunday, with worshippers asked to stay at home to avoid coronavirus spread.  While many watched services online or on television, some sidestepped virus fears to attend churches on the most important date in the Orthodox calendar. Here is our selection of photos from the Orthodox world taken between…

Apr 22, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: The marks of the Lord’s passion in His glorified body highlight the mystical connection between the Cross and the Resurrection

During the Agape Vespers on Easter Sunday, also known as the Second Resurrection, Patriarch Daniel spoke about the characteristics of the Saviour’s risen body stressing that the marks of His Passion remained in his glorified body. The Patriarch of Romania explained why the risen Lord passed through the locked doors to meet his disciples. ‘He…

Apr 21, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel at Easter Vigil: The crucified and risen Christ is the Healer and Liberator of humankind

Patriarch Daniel, April 19, 2020: ‘Christ’s Resurrection today is for us as always a source of light and peace, a source of joy, but also a source of spiritual power to fight the hardships of life, including to fight with the disease, the fear of death, and suffering, with everything that severely befalls us and…

Apr 20, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Foot-washing ceremony at Putna Monastery: Let us wipe off the dust of sin!

After a long pause during the communist period, the foot-washing ceremony was resumed at Putna Monastery starting with 1992, during the stewardship of abbot Iachint Unciuleac. The ceremony cannot be held everywhere since at least twelve persons are needed Archimandrite Melchisedec explained after washing the feet of his fellow priests at Putna Monastery on April…

Apr 18, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu