Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel impressed by Orthodox icons at Patriarchate-hosted exhibition

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel was impressed by the exhibits of an exhibition of Orthodox icons opened for the second time in Bucharest last week at the Palace of the Patriarchate. Patriarch Daniel said the exhibition had ‘a special significance’, because during the Paschal cycle ‘we are more receptive to the message transmitted by the holy…

May 14, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania meets with abbot of Holy Trinity – St Sergius Lavra

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on Thursday welcomed a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church headed by His Grace Bishop Paramon of Sergiev-Posad, patriarchal vicar and abbot of the Holy Trinity-St Sergius Lavra, at his patriarchal residence in Bucharest. Patriarch Daniel asked Bishop Paramon to convey his brotherly greetings to Patriarch Kirill. ‘Please send to Patriarch…

May 11, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s largest mosaic icon of Virgin Mary applied on National Cathedral’s walls

The largest mosaic depicting the More Spacious than the Heavens Icon of the Mother of God was applied on the half-dome that stands above the altar of the National Cathedral in Bucharest on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. The team of specialists was coordinated by iconographer Daniel Codrescu. The Panagia Platytera ton ouranon measures 16 meters…

May 11, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian singer-songwriter offers recipe for success: I believe in God

Andrei Tiberiu Maria, better known by his stage name Smiley, is a Romanian singer and songwriter who hosted Romania’s Got Talent TV show for seven consecutive seasons and was a coach on the panel of The Voice Romania music competition. In a message posted Sunday on his Facebook account, Smiley wrote about his values and…

May 7, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: April 30 – May 5, 2019

Our selection of some of the most beautiful pictures taken around the Orthodox world during the Bright Week.

May 6, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Pope Francis meets with Holy Synod of Bulgarian Orthodox Church: ‘This meeting, which I have greatly desired’

Pope Francis held talks with Patriarch Neophyte and other members of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church at the Synodal Hall in Sofia, after his meeting with Bulgaria’s authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps in Sofia on Sunday, May 5. The lands bearing the inheritance of Sts Cyril and Methodius Patriarch Neophyte…

May 6, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Video of boy singing troparion to St Ephraim of Nea Makri goes viral on social media

A video of a young boy chanting a church hymn to Saint Ephraim of Nea Makri in front of the Saint’s icon has gone viral on social media. The clip that shows a boy kneeling in front of a large icon of Saint Ephraim seems to have been shot a few weeks ago in Crete.…

May 6, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Demetrios of America resigns

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios on Saturday officially tendered his resignation in writing during a meeting in Constantinople with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The 91-year-old Archbishop’s resignation will be considered by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at its next session on Thursday, May 9, when it is expected to discuss the matter of succession to…

May 4, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Bilateral meeting between Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Metropolitan Sawa of Poland

As part of his three-day visit to Poland, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met with the Primate of the Polish Orthodox Church in Warsaw on Bright Friday, May 3, 2019. After joining the March of the Living, an event that takes place every year to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust, the Ecumenical Patriarch was welcomed at…

May 4, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch about Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp: This place will always be a symbol of radical evil

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Thursday joined the March of the Living, a 3-kilometer walk from the Auschwitz concentration camp to Birkenau in Poland, to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust. The annual march coincides with Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom Hashoah) and marks the murder of 6 million Jews in the Holocaust. Participants in the…

May 4, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Priest from Bucharest Monastery offers Paschal Light to Romanians living in Dubai

A priest from Radu Voda Monastery in Bucharest was appointed by the Patriarch of Romania to travel to Dubai to officiate all Easter services for the Romanian Orthodox community there. During his mission from April 21 to May 1, 2019, the V. Rev. Protosyncellus Iachint Vardianu officiated the services in Romanian language at the Annunciation…

May 4, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu