Ștefana Totorcea

Dostoevsky’s 200th birth anniversary: The Philokalic dimension of an Orthodox writer’s work

Great Russian writer Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky’s work decisively marked the literature, philosophy, psychology and theology of the 20th century. He was born in Moscow two centuries ago, on November 11, 1821. Dostoevsky was born in a Lithuanian family. His grandfather was a priest, his father was a military doctor and his mother came from a…

Nov 11, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Romania’s National Cathedral Volunteers renovate oncology hospital ward in Bucharest

Bucharest’s “Dr Al. Trestioreanu” Oncology Institute inaugurated on Tuesday its Medical Oncology Ward No. 2, renovated by Romania’s National Cathedral Volunteers. In record time – only 60 days – they provided over 200,000-Euros refurbishing works. His Eminence Varlaam of Ploiești, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop, was Patriarch Daniel’s delegate to the event. Among the participants were Archimandrite…

Nov 11, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada meets Catholic Bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueuil

HE Ioan Casian, the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada, had an inter-Christian meeting of proximity with Claude Hamelin, Roman-Catholic Bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueuil. The meeting took place at the headquarters of the nearby Roman Catholic diocese. The Canadian hierarch expressed his joy for the participation of HG Bishop Ioan Casian in his enthronement service on January…

Nov 11, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

The Week in Pictures: November 1 – 7, 2021

The joy of Orthodox life is the same in distant Africa and Romania. Please see our selection of photos taken between November 1 and 7. Last week’s most-liked Instagram photo:   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Basilica News Agency (@basilica.ro) Do you want to be featured in our weekly selection…

Nov 9, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Basilica.ro Director congratulates Diaconia Mission: Their work inspires Romanians from all over the world

“The work of the Diaconia Mission is a beacon of light which inspires Romanians from all over the world,” declared Aurelian Iftimiu, Director of the Basilica New Agency, about the organization which represents the social “arm” of the Metropolis of Bessarabia. Diaconia has recently celebrated 20 years of social mission. In an interview for the…

Nov 5, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Sihăstria Monastery: National Cathedral artist paints entrance, Romanians from all over the world work on mosaic

Daniel Codrescu, painter of Romania’s National Cathedral, coordinated last month the painting of the vault from under the entrance tower of Sihăstria (Neamț) Monastery. The team of church painters was joined by Romanian volunteers from all over the world, who learned the mosaic technique and made mosaic icons for the exterior of the tower. Five…

Nov 4, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Ontario: Bishop of Canada joins Windsor Romanian community for the 103rd anniversary of their cathedral

This weekend, His Eminence Ioan Casian joined the Orthodox Romanians of Windsor, in the Canadian province of Ontario, for the 103rd anniversary of the “St. George and Holy Hierarch Andrei Șaguna” Cathedral. On Saturday, the Bishop of Canada participated in the Vigil office and, on Sunday, he celebrated the Divine Liturgy together with Parish Priest…

Nov 4, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Photo Contest dedicated to Hagia Sophia Basilica announces its winners

The Secretariat of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy announced last month the winners of the international photo contest “Hagia Sophia. The churches of the Wisdom of God in history and in the world”. The Grand Prize for the Ancient Churches category goes to the American Larry Angier, who sent a black-and-white series of photos of…

Nov 3, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew celebrates his 30th enthronement anniversary

His Holiness Bartholomew I celebrated on Tuesday 30 years from his enthronement as Archbishop of Constantinople – the New Rome and as Ecumenical Patriarch. The 270th Patriarch of Constantinople was enthroned on November 2, 1991, at St. George Cathedral at the Phanar. Short biography Patriarch Bartholomew was born in 1940, on Imbros Island (Gökçeada, in…

Nov 2, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Epidemiologist Vasile Ţurcan was decorated by the Bishop of Bălţi

His Eminence Antonie offered epidemiologist Vasile Ţurcan the highest distinction of the Diocese of Bălţi for laypersons: “The Cross of Bălţi”. It was granted for “his contribution to the development of medical science” and for “his qualities as a man, a patriot and a Christian”, the eparchy officials announced.  The awarding ceremony was organized on…

Nov 2, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Romanian wooden church to be consecrated next year in New Jersey

The Life-Giving Spring Romanian Orthodox Parish in Long Valley, New Jersey, has announced the consecration date for its Maramureș-style wooden church built to honour the Centennial of Romania’s Great Union: May 1st. It is the first church in the US built in this style. The foundation was blessed by Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas on…

Nov 2, 2021Ștefana Totorcea