Iulian Dumitraşcu

Greatmartyr Euphemia; Saint Olga, Equal of the Apostles and enlightener of the Russian Land

Orthodox Calendar, July 11 The Miracle of Saint Euphemia the All-Praised The holy Great Martyr Euphemia suffered martyrdom in the city of Chalcedon in the year 304, during the time of the persecution against Christians by the emperor Diocletian (284-305). One and a half centuries later, at a time when the Christian Church had become…

Jul 11, 2026Iulian Dumitraşcu

Great Martyr George, the Victory Bearer

Orthodox Calendar April 23 Great Martyr George The Holy Great Martyr George the Victory-Bearer, was a native of Cappadocia (a district in Asia Minor), and he grew up in a deeply believing Christian family. His father was martyred for Christ when George was still a child. His mother, owning lands in Palestine, moved there with…

Apr 23, 2026Iulian Dumitraşcu

Forefeast of the Annunciation; St. Artemon (Menignus) the Bishop of Seleucia

Orthodox Calendar, March 24 Forefeast of the Annunciation For spiritual preparedness of the faithful, all the Royal Feasts are preceded by a time of preparation, anticipation or introduction, called “Forefeast”. They also have a continuation of the feast period, called “Afterfeast”. Troparion — Tone 4 Today is the prelude of universal joy; / let us…

Mar 24, 2026Iulian Dumitraşcu

†) St. Philothea of Argeş, the Protectress of Romania; St. Ambrose the Bishop of Milan; 27th Sunday after Pentecost (Fish allowed)

Orthodox Calendar, December 7 Saint Philothea (Philofthea) of Argeş She was born in Trnovo, the old capital of Bulgaria, around 1206. Her father was a farmer, and her mother was from Wallachia. She died when Philothea was still a child, and her father remarried. The child was often punished by her stepmother, who accused her…

Dec 7, 2025Iulian Dumitraşcu

Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas; Martyr Heroteida

Orthodox Calendar October 6 Holy Apostle Thomas He was born in the Galileian city of Pansada and was a fisherman. Hearing the good tidings of Jesus Christ, he left all and followed after him. According to Holy Scripture, the holy Apostle Thomas did not believe the reports of the other disciples about the Resurrection of…

Oct 6, 2025Iulian Dumitraşcu

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: A chance to stand in solidarity with people living in poverty

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, celebrated annually on October 17th, aims to promote understanding and dialogue between people living in poverty and the wider society. This year’s theme, “Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting dignity in practice for all”, draws on first-hand testimonials showing that those trapped in extreme poverty often work long,…

Oct 17, 2023Iulian Dumitraşcu

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health. The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs…

Oct 10, 2023Iulian Dumitraşcu

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated annually on 17 May since 1969, marking the founding of ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. It was instituted by the Plenipotentiary Conference in Malaga-Torremolinos in 1973 as Resolution 46. In November 2005, the World Summit on the Information Society called upon the…

May 17, 2023Iulian Dumitraşcu

Europe Day

Europe Day held on May 9 every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historic Schuman declaration. At a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French foreign minister, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war…

May 9, 2023Iulian Dumitraşcu

Patriarch Daniel sends irenic letter on the Feast of the Resurrection 2023

On the occasion of the Feast of the Resurrection 2023, His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, sends an irenic letter to His Holiness Bartholomaios, the Ecumenical Patriarch.  Similar letters were sent to all the heads of Orthodox Autocephalous Churches.  Full text: Bucharest, Holy Easter 2023 His Holiness Bartholomaios, Archbishop of Constantinople –…

Apr 13, 2023Iulian Dumitraşcu

International Children’s Book Day

Since 1967, on or around Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, 2 April, International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children’s books. Each year a different National Section of IBBY has the opportunity to be the international sponsor of ICBD. It decides upon a theme and…

Apr 2, 2023Iulian Dumitraşcu