Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Church intensifies prayer and action against coronavirus pandemic

The Romanian Patriarchate announced that over 1.48 million euros have been given to help those affected by the coronavirus pandemic in the country. Church intensifies prayer and action to help those affected by pandemic: Full text In the context of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and the state of national emergency, following the appeal of His…

Apr 9, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church top 9 pastoral care programmes for Roma people

It is estimated that approximately 621 thousand people of Roma origin live in Romania, most of whom are Orthodox Christians. The Romanian Orthodox Church has always paid attention to the mission among Roma people by intensifying its catechetical work, supporting education, and developing social assistance. Here is a list of the top nine pastoral care…

Apr 8, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Bucharest Archdiocese tailor shops make disposable coveralls for volunteers who help the vulnerable

Church-affiliated volunteers who help vulnerable persons during the coronavirus crisis will receive disposable coveralls made by the tailor shops of the Archdiocese of Bucharest. According to a statement by the Social-Philanthropic Department of the Romanian Patriarchate on Monday, the Archdiocese’s tailor workshop ‘Reverenda’ and the embroidery workshop ‘Altarul’ have already made 30 disposable gowns. They…

Apr 8, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Use deserted city and isolation for spiritual profit, Patriarch Daniel urges

‘We are called to prayer, humility and repentance to transform ourselves, to change the way we think, speak and are, the way we act, live and work,’ Patriarch Daniel said during his homily on the fifth Sunday of Lent. Speaking from the St George chapel of his patriarchal residence, the Patriarch of Romania referred to…

Apr 6, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

‘To Thee the Champion Leader’: 100 top voices minister peace to a struggling nation in viral video

A hundred church chanters formed a nationwide choir on Sunday teaming up for a communal singalong in honour of the Mother of God. The church singers found a way to record one of the most famous hymns of all, singing it individually, on their phones. Then the videos were combined into a virtual cell phone…

Apr 6, 2020Aurelian 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