Iulian Dumitraşcu

World Oceans Day: June 8, 2021

World Oceans Day takes place every June 8. The concept was originally proposed in 1992 by Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development (ICOD) and the Ocean Institute of Canada (OIC) at the Earth Summit – UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly passed…

Jun 8, 2021Iulian Dumitraşcu

Mt. Athos reopens to pilgrims

After several months of lockdown restrictions, Mt. Athos is finally open to pilgrims again, starting Tuesday, May 11, 2021. The decision to reopen the Holy Mountain was made by the Sacred Community—the governing body of Mt. Athos, consisting of one representative from each of the 20 ruling monasteries. The number of pilgrims allowed on the…

May 11, 2021Iulian Dumitraşcu

Jerusalem: Holy Fire has descended in Church of Holy Sepulchre (VIDEO)

The Holy Fire has descended Saturday, May 1, 2021, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem entered the church a little after 1:50 PM. The Holy Light descended at about 1:55 P.M. After the Fire’s descent, the Patriarch passes the holy gift to the faithful. The…

May 1, 2021Iulian Dumitraşcu

Patriarch Porfirije meets Romanian Ambassador to Serbia

On the 14th of April 2021, His Holiness Porfirije, Serbian Patriarch received Mrs. Silvia Davidoiu, Ambassador of Romania to the Republic of Serbia, at the Serbian Patriarchate in Belgrade. Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, welcoming the Romanian ambassador, mentioned the fraternal relations existing between the two Orthodox Churches and expressed His hope that he will have the…

Apr 16, 2021Iulian Dumitraşcu

Bulgarian Bachkovo Monastery awarded as “Monastery of the Decade”

On March 19, the first Friday of Great Lent, the Holy Dormition Bachkovo Monastery of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church was solemnly awarded the title of “Monastery of the Decade.” The honor was given as part of the large-scale “Wonders of Bulgaria” campaign for the preservation and promotion of the national cultural and historical heritage, reports…

Mar 24, 2021Iulian Dumitraşcu

13 February: World Radio Day, the most widely consumed medium

World Radio Day 2021 (WRD 2021) celebrates radio as part of humanity’s history by following the various developments in our society and adapting its services. As the world changes, so does radio. Thus, during the Covid-19 pandemic, radio made it possible, for example, to ensure continuity of learning, to fight against misinformation, and to promote…

Feb 13, 2021Iulian Dumitraşcu

Romania’s Timișoara, on The Independent’s list of Best Second Cities in Europe to Visit in 2021

Timișoara, in western Romania, features on the list of the Best Second Cities in Europe to Visit in 2021 put together by the British newspaper The Independent. The list covers nine cities that can serve as “alternatives to bustling capital cities” or to crowded nature spots. “With beaches, parks, and even mountains now crowded with…

Jan 14, 2021Iulian Dumitraşcu

Assembly of Bishops Announces New Directory of Orthodox Christian Mental Health Professionals

The Mental Health Task Force of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America accomplished its first major task by publishing a comprehensive and unified Directory of Orthodox Christian Mental Health Professionals. The Directory includes Eastern or Oriental Orthodox Christians verified to be in good sacramental standing by their parish priest…

Dec 15, 2020Iulian Dumitraşcu

11 December: International Mountain Day

Mountains are home to 15% of the world´s population and host about half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. They provide fresh water for everyday life to half of humanity. Their conservation is a key factor for sustainable development and is part of Goal 15 of the SDGs. Unfortunately, mountains are under threat from climate change and overexploitation.…

Dec 11, 2020Iulian Dumitraşcu

5 December: International Volunteer Day

International Volunteer Day (IVD) mandated by the UN General Assembly, is held each year on 5 December, UN informs. Over the last months, as the COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged across the world, volunteers have been at the forefront of medical, community, and societal responses. Headlines in the world’s media have paid credit to volunteers for all kinds…

Dec 5, 2020Iulian Dumitraşcu

Metropolitan Nicolae about the connection between Thanksgiving and The Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple

In a message sent on Thanksgiving Day, the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of the Americas, Nicolae Condrea, underlined the connection between this American national holiday and the feast of The Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple. Every year, the American National Holiday, Thanksgiving, being established on the 4th Thursday of November, is…

Nov 26, 2020Iulian Dumitraşcu