Aurelian Iftimiu

‘Lower Land travels to Upper Land’ on the feast of St Jacob of Putna

Over 1,000 pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacau travelled to Putna Monastery together with their Archbishop Ioachim to celebrate the feast day of Saint Jacob of Putna on Wednesday, May 15, 2019. ‘On the 300th birthday anniversary of Saint Jacob of Putna, the Lower Land travelled to the Upper Land,’ the abbot of…

May 20, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: May 6 – 12, 2019

Our selection of the best photos in the Orthodox world from last week.

May 18, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

‘Orthodoxy in Colours’: Photography exhibition juxtaposes Cyprus and Poland

A unique exhibition of over 200 pictures placed on 90 panels was opened on Friday evening, May 17, at the Cultural Centre of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation in Nicosia in an effort to bring together two European countries – Cyprus and Poland. The exhibition is entitled ‘Colours of Orthodoxy. Cyprus-Poland’ and was organized by…

May 18, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s 7 proposals to improve current situation of Romania’s villages

During the 2019 Spring Clergy Conference on Monday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel listed seven proposals to improve the current situation of the villages in Romania. Twinning programs between generous urban parishes and poor parishes in the rural area. This involves offering brotherly spiritual and material help. Encouraging book donations to organize libraries in the villages.…

May 15, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania explains double meaning of church as gift

During his homily on Sunday, May 12, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel explained that the consecration service makes a church the gift of humans for God, and a gift of the Heavenly Father offered to us humans. The Patriarch of Romania offered these remarks at the consecration of a church at Turnu Monastery, a monastic settlement…

May 15, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel thanks Christian women for cultivating and confessing the faith in Christ

On the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women, the Patriarch of Romania congratulated all pious and confessing Christian women for their mission. ‘We convey congratulations, thanks and blessings to all women who cultivate and confess through prayer, in word and deed the faith in the crucified and risen Christ, spreading light and joy in the life…

May 15, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania meets with US religious freedom ambassador Sam Brownback

On Friday, May 10, His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, welcomed at his patriarchal residence in Bucharest the United States ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Sam Brownback. Also attending the meeting were the Deputy Chief of Mission Abigail Rupp, Riley Barnes and Pauletta Walsh, members of Sam Brownback’s office, Darrin Kowitz and…

May 14, 2019Aurelian 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