Aurelian Iftimiu

Assembly of Bishops in Muntenia Metropolis completes several liturgical texts for Romanian Saints

The Assembly of Bishops of the Holy Metropolis of Muntenia and Dobrudja met on Friday, October 25, at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest to complete several liturgical texts and akathists to Romanian Saints. The hierarchs drafted the services and akathist hymn to the Holy Martyrs Gordian, Macrobius, Elias, Zotikos, Lucian and Valerian, celebrated on September…

Oct 25, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: The Joy of the Communion of Saints is offered to prayerful pilgrims

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on Friday addressed the pilgrims coming from all across Romania to take part in the annual procession with holy relics on the streets of Bucharest stressing that ‘the joy of the communion of Saints is offered to prayerful pilgrims.’ The Patriarch noted that the presence of the holy relics of the…

Oct 25, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Children and persons with disabilities have priority to venerate holy relics at Bucharest Patriarchal Cathedral

Families with children and persons with disabilities have priority in honouring the holy relics placed for veneration these days at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest. The mentioned categories are asked to move near the baldachin and ask the gendarmes and the nearby organizers to facilitate access to venerate the holy relics. Every year, on the…

Oct 25, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint Demetrios 2019: Tens of deacons will assist pilgrims coming to Bucharest

Tens of deacons from Bucharest will guide pilgrims arriving from other cities for the celebrations of Saint Demetrios the New. The deacons will welcome believers at the Bucharest North railway station and will provide information regarding the means of transport, accommodation and food facilities. They will also accompany the pilgrims on the Patriarchate’s Hill. The…

Oct 24, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Who are the “Guests” of Saint Demetrios the New?

The newest Romanian saint, a hierarch from Bessarabia who was glorified in 2018, and the “Saintie” who died for Christ at the age of 12, will soon be the “guests” of Saint Demetrios the New at the annual procession honouring the spiritual protector of Bucharest. The relics of Saint Dionysius, Bishop of Cetatea Alba and…

Oct 24, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: October 14 – 20, 2019

This week’s selection of photos brings you small but significant gestures that draw people closer to one another. 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…

Oct 24, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Relics of Saint John of Valaam exhumed at New Valaam Monastery in Finland

On November 29, the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople announced its decision to glorify among the saints Schema-Elder John of Valaam (1873-1958) at the proposal of the Finnish Orthodox Church. The liturgical proclamation of this glorification was celebrated this year on June 1 at the Holy Transfiguration-New Valaam Monastery in Heinävesi by Metropolitan…

Oct 23, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch visits Vatopedi Monastery for first time in 30 years

The Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi was the latest destination in the Ecumenical Patriarch’s itinerary on Monday, Oct. 20, in continuation of his official visit to the semi-autonomous monastic community in northern Greece. The Ecumenical Patriarch returned to Vatopedi for the first time in 30 years, as he last visited the second in hierarchy…

Oct 23, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch, clergy dressed in vestments with traditional motifs to highlight role of Romanian village

This week, the priests at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest are wearing special vestments with traditional motifs to highlight the importance of the Romanian village as keeper of the country’s traditions, culture and spirituality. The start was given last Sunday when His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel celebrated the Divine Liturgy dressed in the hierarchical ‘folk costume’.…

Oct 23, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Irineu reminds monastics that they don’t need a virtual identity

During the first-ever Monastic Assembly of the five dioceses within the Metropolis of Transylvania, the Archbishop of Alba Iulia highlighted the dangers of using social platforms for the spiritual life of monastics. “The contemporary monk doesn’t need a virtual identity in order to communicate with the world, even in their wish for mission,” the archbishop…

Oct 22, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Four Athonite Elders will be canonized, Ecumenical Patriarch announces

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has announced that four Athonite Elders will be canonized and will have official feast days in the calendar of the Orthodox Church. The list of elders include Fr. Daniel of Katounakia, Fr. Ieronymos of Simonopetra, Elder Joseph the Hesychast, and Elder Ephraim of Katounakia. The Patriarch made the announcement on Sunday, October…

Oct 21, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu