Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolis of Bessarabia urges calm and discernment over coronavirus fears

The Metropolis of Bessarabia urged believers to remain calm and to strictly follow the recommendations transmitted by the health authorities to avoid infections with the new coronavirus (Covid-19). In a press release, the Orthodox Metropolis of Bessarabia listed the main recommendations of authorities to prevent the spread of coronavirus: wash hands and face vigorously with…

Mar 4, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch offers reflections on Great Lent: from pagan training school to Christian repentance school

The first part of the Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete was officiated in all Orthodox churches on Monday evening, March 2, 2020, marking the beginning of Great Lent. At the patriarchal cathedral in Bucharest, the Great Canon was read out by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania who spoke about repentance as the…

Mar 4, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: No one can enter Lent without forgiveness

“No one can enter into fasting, as a spiritual struggle for the cleansing of sins and the lightening of the soul, without forgiveness,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania explained in his homily at the Chapel of St. Gregory the Enlightener in the Patriarchal residence in Bucharest on the Sunday of the Expulsion of Adam…

Mar 3, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel sends pastoral message to strengthen faith and Eucharistic communion

The Press office of the Romanian Patriarchate published a communiqué on February 27, 2020, in the context of excessive media coverage of the epidemic caused by Coronavirus (Covid – 19) and following requests from some state institutions that the Church should take measures to prevent the spread of the virus and to reduce the population’s…

Feb 28, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: February 17 – 23, 2020

Orthodox lifestyle, luminous portraits and pictures taken at religious events throughout Romania comprise this week’s selection of photos. Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaNews We would gladly include one of your photos depicting Orthodox life in our weekly selection. All you have to do is send the picture(s) you have taken to our email address [info…

Feb 28, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Catechetical Homily of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the beginning of Holy and Great Lent, 2020

The Ecumenical Patriarchate has published Patriarch Bartholomew’s Catechetical Homily at the opening of Holy and Great Lent (2020). + BARTHOLOMEW BY GOD’S MERCY ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE – NEW ROME AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH TO THE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH, MAY THE GRACE AND PEACE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, TOGETHER WITH OUR PRAYER, BLESSING…

Feb 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Joint press statement following fraternal meeting of representatives of Orthodox Churches in Amman, Jordan

On February 26, 2020, a meeting of Primates and representatives of Local Orthodox Churches was held in Amman, Jordan, with the primary view of unity and reconciliation within Holy Orthodoxy. The participants noted their understanding of the anguish of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem for the imminent danger of schism within our Orthodox Communion. Participating in…

Feb 26, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

After installation, New Romanian Bishop Benedict of Bistrița says he wants to be a friend of youth

A new Romanian bishop was ordained on Sunday, February 23, 2020, at the Orthodox Cathedral in Cluj and installed as an auxiliary bishop to the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj in the presence of thousands. Consecrated at the age of 36, Benedict of Bistrita became the youngest Romanian Orthodox Bishop. He said that he…

Feb 24, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Râmnic Archbishop Varsanufie commemorates Roma who died in concentration camps, deportations and captivity

His Eminence Archbishop Varsanufie of Râmnic Thursday, February 20, 2020, officiated a prayer service for remembrance of the Roma who died in concentration camps, deportations and captivity. The memorial service was officiated at the Ascension of the Lord Church in Râmnicu-Vâlcea to mark 164 years since the liberation of Roma in Romanian Principalities. The list…

Feb 21, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Greek Metropolitan of Mesogaia to speak about ‘passing through the wilderness of Great Lent’ in Bucharest

The Lenten lectures organized by the Romanian Orthodox Christian Students Association (ASCOR) in Bucharest will kick off this year with a special guest from Greece. His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki will speak at the Aula Magna of the Law School of Bucharest about the passing through the wilderness of Great Lent and…

Feb 20, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

St Sigfrid honoured by Romanians in Sweden: ‘You have to be a warrior yourself to reach the heart of the Vikings’

Orthodox believers in the south part of Sweden honoured the country’s Enlightener Saint Sigfrid at the Romanian parish in Växjö on Saturday, February 15. His Grace Bishop Macarie of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe celebrated the Divine Liturgy marking the parish’s patronal feast. Referring to St Sigfrid’s personality, His Grace said that ‘to…

Feb 20, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu