Sorin Ioniţe

Mons, Belgium: Commemorative service for the Romanian soldiers

On Thursday, May 28 2020, Orthodox Christians worldwide celebrated the Ascension of the Lord. In the Romanian Orthodox Church this feast day is also a commemoration day of all the heroes of the nation.  In Belgium, this occasion was marked at the Military Cemetery in Mons, where a commemorative service was served by Rev. Fr.…

May 28, 2020Sorin Ioniţe

The History of Romania in One Object: The Banner of Saint Stephen the Great

The Romanian Cultural Institute in New York has launched a presentation of the Liturgical Banner of Ruler Prince St. Stephen the Great, as part of the Project “The History of Romania in One Object”, organised in partnership with The National History Museum of Romania. The presentation was held online by Dr. Cristiana Tătaru, art historian,…

May 27, 2020Sorin Ioniţe

New smartphone app opens famed Greek Monasteries to the world

Locked-down would-be tourists who are longing to visit Greece can still enjoy the magnificent views of the Meteora monasteries and even walk alongside the monks of Mount Athos using a new app called “VR Pilgrim.” Just by using their own smartphone, tourists can enjoy 360-degree views of two of Greece’s most spectacular sites, the Meteora…

May 26, 2020Sorin Ioniţe

World Red Cross Day

World Red Cross day is observed on May 8 to celebrate the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The day is observed on May 8 on the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, who was the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross. On this day, people pay tributes to…

May 8, 2020Sorin Ioniţe

Holy Fire has descended in Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

The Holy Fire has descended in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem entered the church a little after 1:00 PM, and after vesting and processing thrice around the Lord’s Tomb, he entered the Tomb itself at 1:45 PM. The Holy Light descended at about 1:50 PM,…

Apr 18, 2020Sorin Ioniţe

Three families with 19 children receive new homes for Pascha from Iași parish

Three struggling families from Iași, Romania, will spend Pascha in new homes thanks to the missionary priest Fr. Dan Damaschin and the Voice of Life association from the Church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian at the Cuza Voda Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in Iași. Together, the three families have a total of 19 children. Fr.…

Apr 10, 2020Sorin Ioniţe

World Health Day 2020: WHO celebrates efforts of nurses and midwives in the year of pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) observes World Health Day on 7 April every year. The contribution of doctors, nurses and other health workers is acknowledged on this day. The tagline of World Health Day 2020 is ‘Support nurses and midwives’. To generate attention towards their contribution during the COVID-19 outbreak, the World Health Day will…

Apr 7, 2020Sorin Ioniţe

Romanian hieromonk from Scotland on the current medical crisis: This is something we have all done

‘I just want to say a few words to hopefully help you stay sane through all of this. This feels like one of the main challenges of the moment’, said Father Serafim Aldea from a monastery located on Isle of Mull in Scotland. ‘It’s amazing how many messages are being forwarded in al sort of…

Apr 2, 2020Sorin Ioniţe

Bulgarian Metropolitan of Lovech blesses city from overlooking heights

While a number of hierarchs have been blessing their respective cities and provinces from above on plane and helicopter rides, His Eminence Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech, one of the most authoritative hierarchs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, took to the rocky heights overlooking the city to pray for and bless his city and flock. On…

Apr 2, 2020Sorin Ioniţe

The state of emergency is a special state of prevention of the spread of the epidemic, not a state of panic and discouragement

The Romanian Orthodox Church is gradually and responsibly adapting, depending on the evolution of the situation caused by the epidemic, as all the important institutions in the country do, respecting and promoting in the public space the recommendations of the state authorities. The Church is not only an institution of public utility, but also a…

Mar 17, 2020Sorin Ioniţe

Three Athonite Elders officially included in the calendar of the Church

The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate officially included in the calendar of the Church Saints Joseph the Hesychast (Elder Joseph), Ephraim of Katounakia and Daniil of Katounakia. The Synod made the official announcement on Monday, March 09. Their official glorification comes after an unofficial announcement made by Patriarch Bartholomew while visiting the Holy Mountain in…

Mar 10, 2020Sorin Ioniţe