Aurelian Iftimiu

Simona Halep exclusive interview: ‘The Mother of God is always on my mind’

After receiving the highest distinction of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Wimbledon 2019 Champion Simona Halep spoke about her devotion to the Mother of God in an exclusive interview with Basilica.ro. The tennis player confessed that her love for God and the Theotokos was inspired by her family. ‘I have never refrained from professing my faith…

Jul 20, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s 68th birthday to be celebrated on Monday

On Monday, July 22, 2019, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church will celebrate his 68th birthday. On this occasion, following the working sessions of the Standing Councils of the Bucharest Archdiocese and the Romanian Patriarchate, a Doxology will be officiated at St George’s Chapel of the Patriarchal Residence at 12.00 p.m. to…

Jul 19, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania bestows highest distinction on Wimbledon Champion Simona Halep

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel awarded Wimbledon tennis champion Simona Halep the Romanian Patriarchate’s highest distinction during a private ceremony held on Thursday at the patriarchal residence in Bucharest. Simona received the Patriarchal Cross for laypersons after winning her second Grand Slam title. ‘Simona is for many young people today a symbol of diligence, perseverance and…

Jul 18, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Five-metre mosaic cross ready to be applied on National Cathedral’s iconostasis

The mosaic crucifix showing Christ flanked by Virgin Mary and Saint John the Theologian is ready to be applied above the iconostasis of the National Cathedral in Bucharest. The five-metre mosaic cross was initially painted by the team of artists coordinated by iconographer Daniel Codrescu. The cross that will tower over the Cathedral’s 18-metre unique…

Jul 18, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

New draft law in Romania raises awareness about violence against Christians

MP Daniel Gheorghe has submitted a draft law to parliament that declares August 16 an official Remembrance Day of the Holy Brancoveanu Martyrs and a National Day of Awareness of Violence against Christians. If the draft law will be approved by the Parliament, the following buildings will be illuminated in red on August 16, between…

Jul 17, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Relics of St Nephon the Patriarch of Constantinople moved to new silver reliquary

The Honourable Head and the right hand of Saint Nephon II the Patriarch of Constantinople, which are kept at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Craiova, were moved to a new silver reliquary last Sunday. The new reliquary was blessed by His Eminence Metropolitan Irineu of Craiova on July 14 following the Divine Liturgy. St Nephon’s holy…

Jul 17, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Huși Bishop Ignatie: Simona Halep means faith in God, perseverance, love of family and country

Romanian tennis star Simona Halep won the Wimbledon 2019 final and gained her second Grand Slam title, after the Roland Garros 2018. In the final, on July 13, Halep defeated former world number one and multiple Grand Slam title winner Serena Williams in two sets: 6-2, 6-2. His Grace Bishop Ignatie of Huși, the only Romanian…

Jul 17, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Nicolae Condrea in Interview: ‘Uprooted from native land, Romanians in America are looking for spiritual roots in Christ’s Church’

‘Uprooted from their native land, Romanians in America are looking for spiritual roots in the Church of Christ,’ the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of the Americas, Nicolae Condrea, said in an exclusive interview with Basilica.ro. ‘Not many are those who confess that they did not go to church in Romania or went only seldom, who therefore…

Jul 17, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate awards Patriarchal Cross Order to Wimbledon 2019 Champion Simona Halep

The Romanian tennis player Simona Halep has long become a symbol of international sporting performance, culminating in winning the Wimbledon 2019 trophy, the oldest and the most prestigious tennis event of the four Grand Slam tournaments. Appreciating her achievements in the field of women’s performance tennis and at the same time her Orthodox Christian faith,…

Jul 15, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Neurosurgeon Ștefan Mindea receives distinction from Huși Diocese

The renowned neurosurgeon and former Professor at Stanford University Medical Center, California, Rev. Deacon Ștefan Mindea, received the Diocesan Cross from the Huși Diocese ‘for the very intense activity carried out for the recovery of fellow people.’ The award was bestowed during a ceremony held on Sunday, July 7, 2019, on the feast of St…

Jul 11, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

UNESCO Adds Russia’s Ancient Pskov Churches to World Heritage List

Seventeen unique buildings in the northwest Russian city of Pskov were among the latest cultural gems to join UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.  Pskov is one of Russia’s oldest cities, first mentioned in ancient annals of the 9th century. In the Middle Ages, it was the bustling, wealthy capital of the Pskov Republic, acting…

Jul 10, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu