Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Synod accepts retirement of Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia

On Wednesday, 3 June 2026, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church convened for a working session in the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The Holy Synod approved the retirement of Metropolitan Petru Păduraru from his ministry as Archbishop of Chișinău, Metropolitan of…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Digital Matericon: Women Saints of June

As part of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the Calendar, Basilica.ro continues its Digital Matericon series, a monthly project dedicated to presenting the lives and spiritual legacy of women saints venerated throughout the Christian world. The June edition brings together a diverse assembly of holy women—from martyrs of the early…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Pasărea Monastery to host local canonisation of two Romanian nuns

The local proclamation of the canonisation of St Philothea of Pasărea and St Elizabeth of Pasărea will take place on 5 June 2026. To mark the occasion, an extensive liturgical programme will be held at Pasărea Monastery on 4–5 June 2026, as follows: Thursday, 4 June 2026 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Vigil service…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Fast-Free week underway: When the Apostles’ Fast begins

Orthodox Christians are observing a fast-free week, during which there is no fasting on Wednesday or Friday, before the beginning of the Fast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. This year, the fast will begin on Monday, 8 June. The period of preparation for the feast of the two great Apostles will conclude on…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif Commemorates Romanian WWI Heroes at France’s Largest Romanian Military Cemetery

Romanian heroes of the First World War were commemorated by Metropolitan Iosif at Soultzmatt, France. The event was organised by several Romanian Orthodox communities in the region. The commemoration took place on Saturday at the only and largest Romanian military cemetery in France. The memorial service was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony. Numerous Romanian faithful…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian women in history: Presbytera Elena Alistar, physician, educator and champion of Bessarabia’s Union with Romania

Elena Alistar, the first of seven children born to Fr Vasile Balan and Presbytera Elizaveta Balan in the village of Vaisal, Ismail County, was born on 1 June 1873. She married Fr Dimitrie Alistar, who served in Răzeni, Chișinău County. During that period, she worked as a teacher for children in several villages. Sadly, her…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Teofan, Estonian bishop highlight Holy Spirit’s work at Pentecost liturgy

On the Feast of Pentecost, His Eminence Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iași together with Bishop Damaskinos Olkinuora of Haapsalu from the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church. Metropolitan Teofan highlighted the importance of the Holy Spirit’s work in the lives of the faithful. “The overshadowing of…

Jun 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Hon Metropolitan Nifon on Children’s Day: Children reflect God’s blessing upon the world

“Children are a testimony to the blessing poured out by God upon the world, renewing in our hearts an awareness of the greatness of the gift of life,” said His Eminence Hon Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Târgoviște and Patriarchal Exarch, on Monday, on the occasion of International Children’s Day. His Eminence highlighted the value of…

Jun 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam: All the Church’s work is accomplished through the grace of the Holy Spirit

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Monday at the Patriarchal Cathedral, where he underlined that all the works of the Church are accomplished through the grace of the Holy Spirit in the name of the Holy Trinity. The hierarch emphasised the cooperation of the Persons of the Holy Trinity, noting…

Jun 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Basilica Media Centre a gift from God to Church and Romanian people

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, on Monday of the Holy Spirit, marked the patronal feast of the Basilica Media Centre by praising its role in communicating the life of the Church and promoting Orthodox values in contemporary society. In a message addressed to the staff of the Romanian Patriarchate’s media institutions, the Patriarch described the Basilica…

Jun 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate’s Basilica Media Centre marks Holy Trinity feast by reaffirming Church mission

On the Feast of the Holy Trinity (Monday of the Holy Spirit), the Basilica Media Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate reaffirmed its mission to communicate the life of the Church and promote the values of the Christian faith in the public sphere. All components of the Basilica Media Centre are under the protection of the…

Jun 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu