Aurelian Iftimiu

Clergy tour Bucharest with relics of Saint Demetrios the New to halt the coronavirus pandemic: Video

The holy relics of Saint Demetrios the New were taken out of the Patriarchal Cathedral and driven on the streets of Bucharest in a procession of cars on Sunday to halt the coronavirus pandemic. The restricted procession of three cars was led by the patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiesti. The holy relics and icon…

Apr 6, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania Religious Denominations urge prayer, solidarity and responsibility amid coronavirus pandemic

The Consultative Council of Religious Denominations in Romania has sent a message to society calling for compliance with the measures taken by the authorities and urging for intense prayer during the coronavirus pandemic. “Prayer is a source of spiritual power to overcome fear and disease. Cultivating the peace of the soul through persevering prayer protects…

Apr 6, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru calls for prayer for founders of Bessarabia’s Union with Romania

The Metropolitan of Bessarabia urged ‘all those who feel Romanian to intensify their prayers’ and remember the founders of the historical event of March 27, 1918, when the region united with the Kingdom of Romania. In his message marking the 102nd anniversary of the Union of Bessarabia with Romania, Metropolitan Petru recalled the important role…

Apr 2, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Retired Bishop Daniil gives sermon to the very revered walls: Forgive us, who were and still are only “whitewashed walls”

Retired Bishop Daniil of Dacia Felix gave a notable sermon on Sunday addressing ‘the Very Reverend Walls, the Reverend Chant Stands and Chairs in our Orthodox churches.’ Speaking to the church objects and walls, the retired bishop Daniil Stoenescu said that illness and the inability to cross the threshold of churches these days are a…

Apr 2, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: March 23 – 29, 2020

Although believers don’t have access to divine services, clergy still offer prayers and hope that things will soon come back to normal. Here is our selection of pictures taken last week throughout the Orthodox world during coronavirus outbreak.  Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaNews Follow us on Instagram: @basilica.ro We would gladly include one of your…

Apr 2, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Putna Monastery pins hopes on patron saints to rid Romania of coronavirus

The monks of Putna Monastery pray for a miracle from the monastery’s patron saints to rescue Romania from the coronavirus outbreak. Carrying relics and icons, the monks walked around the outside of the monastery’s main church on Sunday, praying the coronavirus away. The procession was organized as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the…

Mar 31, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Roman & Bacau Archbishop donates his March 2020 salary to help combat coronavirus

Celebrating his 66th birthday on Sunday, the Archbishop of Roman and Bacau announced that he will donate his March 2020 salary to the hospitals in Bacau County to help alleviate the array of adverse effects stemming from the coronavirus epidemic. Archbishop Ioachim urged the clergy to join forces with the Archdiocese to show solidarity as…

Mar 31, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Benedict of Bistrita urges faithful to bear the pain of not going to church services with humility, without despair

The assistant bishop of the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj has called on the faithful who cannot attend church services due to the restrictions adopted to fight against the new coronavirus epidemic to accept the measures ‘with a spirit of repentance,’ without giving in to resentment. The Assistant Bishop Benedict of Bistrița posted a…

Mar 31, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch donates 2000+ Euro for acquisition of coronavirus protective equipment

Patriarch Daniel on Monday gave over 2,000 Euro from his salary to buy protection equipment for the volunteers involved in the Patriarchate’s social campaign ‘Help with joy’ geared to helping isolated patients all over Romania. The money will provide volunteers with the necessary equipment to support vulnerable people in their area. An online platform was…

Mar 31, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Wonderworking Icon of Theotokos carried through the streets of Craiova to ward off coronavirus

After the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of Annunciation, Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia led a procession through the streets of Craiova carrying a wonderworking icon of the Mother of God known as Madonna Dudu and the relics of Saint Nephon of Constantinople to help fight the coronavirus outbreak. ‘In these difficult moments of trial, our…

Mar 31, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ignatie believes sharing fake news on coronavirus creates panic and exploits people’s fears

His Grace Bishop Ignatie thinks that fake news is a ‘true plague’ in times of crisis because by sharing false information, people’s fears are exploited. Fake news ‘do nothing but create panic. (…) We become even more panicked, more stressed and anxious about what is being conveyed.’ The Bishop of Husi warned that ‘if we…

Mar 31, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu