Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem presides over celebrations of St John Jacob the New Chosebite

Saint John Jacob of Neamț, also known as Saint John the New Chosebite, was celebrated Friday, August 10, 2018, at Chozeba Monastery, where His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem presided over the All-Night Vigil. Saint John, born in Botosani County, Romania, conducted a life of spiritual feats and ascetism at the Holy Monastery of Chozeba.…

Aug 17, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch to visit South Korea in December 2018

His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will visit South Korea at the beginning of December to attend the celebrations dedicated to the patronal feast of St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Seoul. The Ecumenical Patriarch’s last visit to Korea was in February 2000, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Orthodox presence in this country. The…

Aug 17, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

The Mother of God waited for her translation to Heaven in prayer and gratitude: Patriarch Daniel on Dormition of Theotokos

When she learned the news of her falling asleep, Virgin Mary ‘began praying, thanking God for her earthly life, for all benefactions received from Him’, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said Wednesday marking the Solemnity of the Dormition of the Theotokos. The Patriarch of Romania presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest…

Aug 16, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Russian Patriarch Kirill to meet with Ecumenical Patriarch in late August

His Beatitude Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will meet Friday, August 31, 2018, with His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Constantinople. Patriarch Kirill will visit the headquarters of the Ecumenical Patriarchate ‘following his express desire’. ‘We announce with pleasure that, on August 31, 2018, following his express desire, His Beatitude Patriarch Kirill of…

Aug 16, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Diocese of Italy expresses solidarity with victims of Genoa bridge collapse

A day after a highway bridge collapsed in Genoa, Italy, killing at least 39 people, the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy released a message expressing compassion and solidarity with the victims’ families. Full text: The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy learned with great sorrow the news that many people, including children, died under the ruins…

Aug 16, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

St Stephen the Great’s crown replica arrives at Putna Monastery

The replica of St Stephen the Great’s crown was brought Tuesday evening at Putna Monastery. The crown was previously blessed by Patriarch Daniel during a special service officiated at the St George Chapel of the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest. The crown replica was brought by train on the occasion of the re-opening of the Putna…

Aug 15, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania blesses St Stephen the Great’s crown replica

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania blessed Monday, August 13, a replica of the crown of Ruler Prince Saint Stephen the Great, whom His Beatitude called ‘a symbol of the faith, unity, and dignity of the Romanian people’. In his speech, the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church pointed to the extraordinary contribution Saint Stephen…

Aug 15, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch Daniel welcomes Metropolitan Nicholas of Hama at his patriarchal residence

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed Monday His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Hama and surroundings (Antioch Patriarchate) at his patriarchal residence in Bucharest. Metropolitan Nicholas was accompanied by His Grace Bishop Qais of Erzurum, patriarchal vicar. During the meeting at the patriarchal residence, the two parts discussed the problems faced by Christians in the Middle East.…

Aug 14, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Hatred, disunity, enmity dehumanize, cautions Romanian Patriarch Daniel

During his homily delivered Sunday at the Pasarea Monastery near Bucharest, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel offered his reflections on the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:23-35), cautioning that forgiveness draws peace, while hatred, disunity, and enmity dehumanize. ‘Forgiveness in today’s gospel in not just a simple individual attitude. It refers to the community, however…

Aug 13, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate urges peace, dialogue, and social co-responsibility

Entire Romania is concerned about the recent events causing violence and whose victims include both civilians and police officers. Although politically neutral, but sensitive to social issues, as ‘factor of social peace’ (according to the Law of Religious Denominations No. 489/2006, article 7, paragraph 1), the Romanian Orthodox Church urges prayer, peace, dialogue, and social…

Aug 11, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Damaschin on journalistic accountability: Fake news can stain human dignity

In an interview with Doxologia, His Grace Bishop Damaschin of Dorna pointed to the need and the importance of responsible journalism. Himself a former Radio Trinitas news editor (2001-2004), the current Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți stressed that ‘a fake news can stain a person’s human dignity’, thus having damaging consequences,…

Jul 24, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu