Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church adds St Gabriel the Confessor of Georgia to liturgical calendar

Saint Gabriel the Confessor and Fool for Christ of Georgia has been added to the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church, following a decision approved by the Holy Synod during its working session at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest last week. The Synod also approved the liturgical texts dedicated to the saint, who will be…

Jun 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Cypriot Metropolitan Isaiah receives Romanian Patriarchate distinction during Bucharest visit

His Grace Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova received Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamassos and Orini from the Orthodox Church of Cyprus at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest on Saturday. On the occasion, Bishop Timotei presented Metropolitan Isaiah, on behalf of Patriarch Daniel, with the Order of St Demetrius the New, Protector of Bucharest, which includes an…

Jun 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Seven converts join Orthodox Church in Sweden as Bishop Macarie celebrates Pentecost baptisms

On Pentecost Sunday, His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe baptised six young people aged between 13 and 33 and a 50-year-old woman in Kalmar, Sweden. The new members of the Church were joined by their families and by Romanian and Scandinavian faithful attending the Pentecost service. “We rejoice that these young people have opened…

Jun 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox priest in Lisbon blesses three new Portuguese Police Officers

Fr Florentin Dobrescu, parish priest of the Romanian Orthodox community in Lisbon, blessed three newly appointed officers of Portugal’s Public Security Police (PSP) on Pentecost Sunday as they began their careers in law enforcement. One of the new officers is Romanian, another Ukrainian, and the third a Portuguese convert to the Romanian Orthodox Church. All…

Jun 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Synod approves new Saints’ seasts, liturgical texts and academic programmes

On Wednesday, 3 June 2026, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held a working session in the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The Holy Synod adopted a series of decisions concerning the Church’s pastoral and missionary activity, including the following: The draft…

Jun 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Timotei of Arad, oldest member of Romanian Orthodox Synod, turns 90

His Eminence Archbishop Timotei of Arad, the oldest member of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, celebrated his 90th birthday on Thursday. He was born Traian Seviciu on 4 June 1936 in Timișoara and studied at the Theological Institute of Bucharest between 1953 and 1957. In 1972, he earned a doctorate in theology,…

Jun 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Synod accepts retirement of Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia

On Wednesday, 3 June 2026, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church convened for a working session in the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The Holy Synod approved the retirement of Metropolitan Petru Păduraru from his ministry as Archbishop of Chișinău, Metropolitan of…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Digital Matericon: Women Saints of June

As part of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the Calendar, Basilica.ro continues its Digital Matericon series, a monthly project dedicated to presenting the lives and spiritual legacy of women saints venerated throughout the Christian world. The June edition brings together a diverse assembly of holy women—from martyrs of the early…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Pasărea Monastery to host local canonisation of two Romanian nuns

The local proclamation of the canonisation of St Philothea of Pasărea and St Elizabeth of Pasărea will take place on 5 June 2026. To mark the occasion, an extensive liturgical programme will be held at Pasărea Monastery on 4–5 June 2026, as follows: Thursday, 4 June 2026 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Vigil service…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Fast-Free week underway: When the Apostles’ Fast begins

Orthodox Christians are observing a fast-free week, during which there is no fasting on Wednesday or Friday, before the beginning of the Fast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. This year, the fast will begin on Monday, 8 June. The period of preparation for the feast of the two great Apostles will conclude on…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif Commemorates Romanian WWI Heroes at France’s Largest Romanian Military Cemetery

Romanian heroes of the First World War were commemorated by Metropolitan Iosif at Soultzmatt, France. The event was organised by several Romanian Orthodox communities in the region. The commemoration took place on Saturday at the only and largest Romanian military cemetery in France. The memorial service was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony. Numerous Romanian faithful…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu