Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Chrism is the foundation and the source of the sanctification of Church life, Patriarch Daniel says

After leading the sanctification of the Holy Chrism on Maundy Thursday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel spoke about its meaning and use in the Orthodox Church, noting that the Holy Chrism is ‘the foundation and the source of the sanctification of Church life’. On Thursday, April 25, 2019, the Patriarch of Romania together with other hierarchs…

Apr 26, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch blesses new reliquary for holy relics of St Philothea of Argeș

On Thursday, April 25, 2019, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel blessed the new silver reliquary where the holy relics of Saint Philothea of Argeș will be kept. During a service held at the All Romanian Saints Hall of the Patriarchal Residence, Patriarch Daniel offered prayers and sprinkled with holy water the shrine in the presence of…

Apr 26, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Basilica Photos: Vesperal Divine Liturgy on Maundy Thursday & Sanctification of Holy Chrism

The members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church gathered on Maundy Thursday at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest to celebrate the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil, during which the Holy Chrism was sanctified. Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu

Apr 26, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Chrism sanctified on 134th anniversary of autocephaly of Romanian Orthodox Church

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel together with the members of the Holy Synod officiated the sanctification of the Holy Chrism at the Patriarchal Cathedral on Maundy Thursday, marking the 134th anniversary of autocephaly of the Romanian Orthodox Church. On April 25, 1885, Ecumenical Patriarch Joachim IV issued the patriarchal tomos by which the Romanian Orthodox Church…

Apr 26, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania Patriarch Easter Pastoral Letter: Persecuted Orthodox Romanians received power from the Eucharist

In his Easter pastoral letter, the Patriarch of Romania has explained that Eucharist always offered to the persecuted Orthodox Romanians the power to love in a sacrificial way and to remain united with the crucified and risen Christ in history and in eternity. Given that in 2019 the Romanian Patriarchate commemorates the Solemn Year of…

Apr 26, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

In Easter message, Ecumenical Patriarch rejects conception that Orthodoxy is “introverted, unworldly and indifferent”

In this year’s patriarchal encyclical for Holy Pascha, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew rejected the conception that ‘Orthodoxy is introverted, unworldly and indifferent to history and civilization’, saying that this is ‘a complete misinterpretation of Orthodox self-consciousness as well as of the social and charitable work of the Church’. Pascha is not only the greatest feast of…

Apr 26, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Land Easter message: lasting peace in Jerusalem and the world

Thirteen Patriarchs and Heads of Christian Churches in Jerusalem have issued an Easter Message praying for lasting peace throughout the world and urging that the multi-religious and multi-cultural status of Jerusalem be maintained. The 13 spiritual leaders in Jerusalem have expressed their Easter greeting to the people of the Holy Land, the larger Middle East…

Apr 25, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

In pictures: Preparation of the Holy Chrism during Holy Week

His Eminence Metropolitan Laurentiu of Transylvania led the work of preparing Holy Chrism during the Holy Week at the All Romanian Saints Monastery in Bucharest. The preparation began on Monday morning, April 22, 2019, with Patriarch Daniel blessing the ingredients before preparation and Holy Week services got underway. Wednesday afternoon, the cooking concluded and the…

Apr 25, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Ahead of Easter, Patriarch Daniel publishes a message of hope and joy

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania wrote a message for all Orthodox Christians in honour of the holiday. Like in last year’s message, Patriarch Daniel brings attention to people in need, highlighting the easy ways of comforting them especially during Easter, which is a ‘celebration of peace and joy’. He also stressed that the resurrection…

Apr 24, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

US Ambassador visits Orthodox Diocese of Huși

His Grace Bishop Ignatie of Huși welcomed Friday, April 19, 2019, the Ambassador of the United States of America to Romania, Hans Klemm, at his episcopal residence in Huși. On this occasion, Bishop Ignatie presented the US Ambassador with a book written by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel titled ‘Confessing the Truth in Love’, and a…

Apr 22, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Everything that is beautiful in the church is a sign of Christ’s adoration: Patriarch of Romania on Palm Sunday

The Patriarch of Romania during the Divine Liturgy on Palm Sunday told the faithful that the beautiful vestments, liturgical objects, icons and painting are signs of Christ’s adoration, which does not oppose the care for the poor as the Saviour Himself said. Patriarch Daniel explained this fact by recalling that Mary took a pound of…

Apr 22, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu