Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel calls Christian family an icon of God’s love in the world, praises family role during pandemic

In a message for the Sunday of Parents and Children (June 7), Patriarch Daniel emphasizes the fundamental role that the family played during the coronavirus pandemic. His Beatitude called the family “a natural environment for raising and educating children for life.” “During this period, the time spent by parents with their children was greatly appreciated,…

May 29, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

At the Ascension, Christ shows that heavenly glory is man’s final destination, Patriarch of Romania says

The Patriarch of Romania revealed the ‘deep spiritual meanings of the Ascension of the Lord’ during a sermon held Thursday at St George’s Chapel of his patriarchal residence. ‘Since the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ into heaven in glory is not a simple ascension to heaven, but one in glory, we understand that the…

May 29, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

On this day May 29, 1453: The Fall of Constantinople

The Fall of Constantinople occurred on May 29, 1453, after a siege which began on April 6. The battle was part of the Byzantine-Ottoman Wars (1265-1453) and is referred to as one of the darkest days in Greek history. Ascending to the Ottoman throne in 1451, Mehmed II began making preparations to reduce the Byzantine…

May 29, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Churches across Romania will ring their bells at noon on Thursday to commemorate Heroes’ Day

Memorial services will be held Thursday, May 28, 2020, in all cathedrals, churches, monasteries, cemeteries and at all heroes’ monuments across Romania and abroad to mark the feast of the Ascension of the Lord and National Heroes’ Day. The services will be officiated after the Divine Liturgy in compliance with current regulations in the national…

May 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Suceava priests dressed in white overalls carry Archbishop Pimen’s coffin

Six priests from Suceava’s Archdiocese and two employees of a funeral company dressed in white overalls and wearing protective gloves carried the coffin of Archbishop Pimen during his funeral. The 90-year-old Archbishop of Suceava and Radauti died last week after testing positive for the new coronavirus. One of the priests was Fr. Bogdan Cojoleanca, the…

May 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

In pictures: Virtual visit to Archbishop Pimen’s tomb

“Come from time to time to recollect your thoughts in this holy place, asking the Archbishop’s blessing and intercession with God for those of us still in the world.” These are the words Metropolitan Teofan told the believers who came to the late Archbishop Pimen’s funeral. The Archbishop of Suceava and Radauti was interred last…

May 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Religion professor creates animated video lessons to help children learn the Orthodox faith from home

The coronavirus pandemic did not only generate panic and fear. It was also the source of constructive, useful projects, a true materialization of Christian love and creativity. The “Minute of Religion” is one such example, an atypical way for a teacher to address his students on religious topics using short animated videos. “In the context…

May 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Huși Diocese issues press release on the case of former bishop Corneliu Onilă

A former bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Church was held for 30 days after the prosecutors have charged him with sexual abuse on a former student of his at the Orthodox theological seminary in Huși, Eastern Romania, where he used to work as a professor. The former bishop of Huși, Corneliu Onilă, held this dignity…

May 26, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

The blind man becomes an enlightener of many, Patriarch Daniel says

Patriarch Daniel focused his sermon on Sunday, May 24, on the way God can work through an invalid person, the blind man who became an enlightener of many, a teacher for us and a confessor of Christ. ‘Sickness is not always a consequence of sin, but it can also be an opportunity for God’s secret…

May 25, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel remembers Archbishop Pimen as Father of Bukovina and friend of Putna Saints

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel sent an official message that was read during the funeral of Archbishop Pimen, in which he remembered the late hierarch as a ‘Father of Bukovina and a friend of the Putna Saints.’ Expressing his deep sorrow for the loss of the former Archbishop of Suceava and Radauti, Patriarch Daniel highlighted the…

May 25, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

15 immortal quotes by Archbishop Pimen: Let us take care, but do not worry

Christian life means happiness, even in tribulations. We live our lives with much anxiety and much pain because of our sins according to God’s providence. God calls us to Him through both troubles and sorrows, because in this way we can become wise, we better understand the will of God, which is the sanctification of…

May 25, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu