Aurelian Iftimiu

Remembering the historic consecration ceremony of the National Cathedral in Bucharest

On Monday, November 25, 2019, we marked one year since the historic consecration of the Romanian People’s Salvation Cathedral, the most important national project dedicated to Romania’s Great Union Centennial, a symbol of the unity of faith and of nation of Romanians. Although the Cathedral was consecrated as ‘shell and core,’ over 150,000 Romanians came…

Nov 26, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Academy launches facsimile edition of 18th-century Romanian Byzantine Music Book

The Library of the Romanian Academy launched a facsimile transcription of the manuscripts written in 1713 by Filothei sin Agai Jipei, a renowned Romanian protopsaltes. Filothei sin Agai Jipei the Athonite was a church chanter close to Saint Anthimos the Iberian, Metropolitan of Wallachia, and had a major contribution to the adapting of the Byzantine…

Nov 26, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel shares practical ways to prepare for Christmas

In a society that tends to distort the spiritual significance of the holidays by encouraging consumerism, Patriarch Daniel explained on Thursday how to better prepare for the feast of the Nativity of the Lord. “By more prayer, by reading the Holy Scriptures, by a more frequent Confession and Communion, and with acts of mercy. Let…

Nov 25, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Over 1,400 New Testaments to be sent to Romanian soldiers abroad by Christmas

The Romanian Patriarchate will give away 1,410 copies of the New Testament with Psalms to the Romanian soldiers abroad. The New Testaments will be distributed in the near future through the Religious Assistance Section of the Ministry of National Defence, Fr. Ciprian Ioniţă from the Social-Philanthropic Department of the Patriarchal Administration told the Basilica News…

Nov 25, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian referee Alexandru Tudor shares moments of tension that brought him closer to God

The former Romanian referee Alexandru Tudor spoke about the moments of tension in his carrier that brought him closer to God, and shared his moral and religious beliefs during a show at the National Television (TVR) on Saturday night. He remembered a sign received from God through the intercessions of Saint John the New of…

Nov 20, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: November 11 – 17, 2019

From youth to old age, we all enjoy the presence and blessings of God. This is what this week’s collection of photos tries to highlight: the joy in Christ. 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…

Nov 20, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

First Romanian monastery inaugurated in Portugal

The first Romanian Orthodox monastery in Portugal was inaugurated last Sunday, Nov. 17, by four Romanian hierarchs in Aldeia de Santa Margarida (Idanha-a-Nova). The monastery is dedicated to the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God. Headed by His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe, the assembly of bishops officiated the…

Nov 20, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Wealth and poverty are an occasion to draw closer to God and our peers – Patriarch Daniel

Patriarch Daniel on Sunday offered his reflections on wealth and poverty as means through which we can proceed on the path to salvation. ‘Wealth and poverty are not a purpose in themselves. They are an opportunity for us to draw near or away from God and others.’ “Neither wealth nor poverty can bring us salvation,…

Nov 19, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan of Banat donates winter clothing to patients in psychiatric facilities

Approximately 1,000 winter clothing items were offered by Metropolitan Ioan of Banat for patients with psychiatric disorders at the Psychiatric and Safety Measures Hospital in Jebel and the Psychiatric Hospital in Gătaia. According to the website of the Metropolis, His Eminence visited the patients last week. On Nov. 13, Metropolitan Ioan also visited the Pentru…

Nov 19, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Nuns from Valea Bistritei Monastery build house for 7-children family

The nuns from Valea Bistriței Monastery are building a house for a needy family with seven children, ages 7 to 15. The monastery announced the project in August, noting that it was undertaken with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Irineu of Alba Iulia. The monastery asked for funds from any who wanted to help,…

Nov 19, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Romfilatelia unveils 2019 Christmas stamps

Romfilatelia has launched its 2019 Christmas stamp collection which this year features brightly coloured traditional Nativity scenes. The Christmas set includes two denominated stamps indicating 1,70 lei reproducing images from the manuscript ‘Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God’ kept at the Romanian Academy Library. The scenes shown on the stamps are summarized by Romfilatelia…

Nov 19, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu