Aurelian 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

Patriarch Daniel urges faithful to become steadfast missionaries: Tell how much good God has done for you

Everyone should become a steadfast missionary and announce the divine help received in the community where they live and carry out their activity, Patriarch Daniel urged during his Sunday homily at the Patriarchal Cathedral. The Patriarch of Romania gave the example of the Gerasene demoniac who, after being healed by Christ, was told to remain…

Oct 21, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch pays tribute to Queen Mother Helen at Elisabeta Palace

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel paid tribute to Romania’s Queen Mother Helen at Elisabeta Palace in Bucharest on Friday, October 18, 2019. His Beatitude offered a prayer for the rest of the soul of Queen Helen, the wife of King Carol II and mother of King Michael I, and wrote a message of sympathy in the…

Oct 20, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Queen Mother Helen’s remains welcomed to Romania after 71 years

A religious and military ceremony took place at the Otopeni International Airport on Friday for Queen Mother Helen, whose remains were flown to Romania aboard an aircraft of the Romanian Air Force. The Romanian Orthodox Church was represented by Metropolitans Nifon of Targoviste and Joseph of Western and Southern Europe, and the patriarchal auxiliary bishop…

Oct 20, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Celebrations of St Demetrios the New in Bucharest 2019: Full Schedule

The traditional pilgrimage organized every year by the Romanian Patriarchate and the Archdiocese of Bucharest on the feast day of Saint Demetrios the New, Protector of Bucharest, celebrated on Oct. 27, will take place on October 25-29, 2019, according to the following schedule: Friday, October 25, the Path of the Saints Procession will begin at…

Oct 18, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Italy Bishop Siluan speaks about exodus from Romania

In an interview with an Orthodox magazine, the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Italy, Siluan, referred to the exodus of Romanians abroad and to the reasons why Romanians choose to leave their country. ‘To a large extent, this choice to leave the country is linked to the fact that one does not see perspectives on the…

Oct 16, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: October 7 – 13, 2019

Connectivity is the main theme of this week’s selection of photos in the Orthodox world. We share with you charity, beauty, devotion and curiosity as seen through the lenses of professional and amateur photographers.

Oct 15, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Teofan to record number of pilgrims in Iasi: Thank you for this lesson of theology

Over 25,000 believers flocked to Iasi on Monday to attend the Divine Liturgy in honour of Saint Paraskeva the New at the outdoor altar of the Metropolitan Cathedral. A record number of devout Romanians and pilgrims from abroad came out to venerate the relics of Saint Paraskeva in a weekend-long celebration in Iasi leading up…

Oct 14, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel venerates St Spyridon’s relic from Corfu island

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on Saturday venerated the reliquary containing a relic of Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker brought from Corfu island to Romania for the feast of Saint Paraskeva. The relic was brought by a delegation of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Corfu, headed by His Eminence Metropolitan Nektarios. The relic stationed in Bucharest for…

Oct 14, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu