Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Visarion of Tulcea calls for prayer and good deeds in Nativity Fast message

His Grace Bishop Visarion of Tulcea is calling on the faithful to pray and perform good deeds during the Nativity Fast. In this year’s Nativity Fast message, the Orthodox Bishop of Tulcea invites believers to unite the liturgical life with Christian philanthropy, thus demonstrating to be brothers and sisters in Christ. ‘The Church urges us…

Nov 19, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Demand for Bibles in China Reaches a Staggering 200 Million, Despite Heavy Persecution

Despite relentless persecution, the Christian community in China is thriving. Totaling around 100 million believers, and with hundreds of thousands being baptized annually, many experts predict that China will become the world’s most Christian nation by 2030. The staggering explosion of faith is, in part, down to the mass printing of Bibles. Indeed, China’s Amity…

Nov 19, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Nativity Fast Begins: Let us receive Christ in the cave of our souls

The Nativity Fast is one of four main fast periods throughout the ecclesiastical year. Beginning on November 15 and concluding on December 24, the Nativity Fast gives individuals the opportunity to prepare for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour in the Flesh on December 25. By abstaining from certain food and…

Nov 15, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Husi Bishop says we should be addicted to the Bible like we are to our smartphones

‘It would be wonderful if the dependence on the word of God were at least directly proportional to the addiction to our smartphone,’ wrote Wednesday His Grace Bishop Ignatie of Husi on his Instagram account marking the Bible Day. He stressed that we are in ‘the age of word inflation,’ an inflation which lacks the…

Nov 14, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Tens of pilgrims travel across Romania to attend celebrations of St John Chrysostom in Bucharest

For the sixth year in a row, tens of pilgrims travel across Romania from the northern parts of Maramures and Satu Mare to attend the celebrations of Saint John Chrysostom at the Chapel of the National Cathedral in Bucharest. Children and adults dressed in colourful folk costumes attended the all-night vigil and the Divine Liturgy…

Nov 14, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

For our spiritual life we need to read at least a Bible chapter a day – Metropolitan Andrei

In a message occasioned by the Bible Day observed by the Romanian Orthodox Church on Nov. 13, Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș and Sălaj urged the faithful to read at least a Bible chapter a day for a healthy spirituality. ‘We have at hand prayer, the participation in the Divine Liturgy and at church services,…

Nov 14, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint Nectarios was a wise, enlightened hierarch full of humility: Bishop Ieronim of Sinaia

‘Saint Nectarios of Aegina, an intercessor to God with an unceasing prayer, was a wise, enlightened hierarch full of humility,’ said His Grace Bishop Ieronim of Sinaia at the patronal feast of Radu Voda Monastery in Bucharest on Saturday. During his homily, the patriarchal auxiliary bishop referred to the virtues of St Nectarios, whose devotion…

Nov 12, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: November 4 – 10, 2019

The Orthodox world as seen through a camera lens. This week’s collection of photos highlights the spread devotion to Saint Nectarios of Aegina, but also some funny moments captured by photographers. Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaNews We would gladly include one of your photos depicting Orthodox life in our weekly selection. All you have to…

Nov 12, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Our Church appreciates the presence and contribution of Armenians in Romania

During the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition on the history and the heritage of the Armenian Church in Romania held Saturday at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest, Patriarch Daniel expressed the appreciation of the Romanian Orthodox Church for the presence and the contribution of Armenians in Romania in various fields of activity including spirituality,…

Nov 12, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel urges not to forget those who suffered under communist regime

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel sent a message to the Symposium organized by the Institute for Political Sciences and International Relations of the Romanian Academy to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Romanian Revolution of 1989 urging the participants not to forget those who suffered under communist regime. The message was read out…

Nov 7, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: October 28 – November 3, 2019

Last week was such a blessing. There were many occasions to help us to better understand life’s simplicity and eternal beauty. Here is a collection of thirteen photos that highlight the Orthodox world as captured by photographers. Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaNews We would gladly include one of your photos depicting Orthodox life in our…

Nov 6, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu