Ștefana Totorcea

St. Meletius the Archbishop of Antioch; St. Kristo the Gardener of Albania

Orthodox Calendar, February 12 Saint Meletius, Archbishop of Antioch He was Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia (ca. 357), and afterwards he was summoned to Antioch by the emperor Constantius to help combat the Arian heresy, and was appointed to that See. Saint Meletius struggled zealously against the Arian error, but through the intrigues of the…

Feb 12, 2026Ștefana Totorcea

The Week in Pictures: February 2–8, 2026

A new selection of images capturing the beauty of Orthodox life: winter landscapes, faces of clergy and faithful, and moments from the proclamation of the canonisation of the 16 Romanian Holy Women, held at the Patriarchal Cathedral. All these can be discovered in our photo feature dedicated to the period February 2–8, 2026. Last week’s…

Feb 10, 2026Ștefana Totorcea

Yelena Popovic launched in US movie inspired by St Moses the Black: It aims to inspire those feeling trapped

Filmmaker Yelena Popovic talked to Orthodox Observer about her new movie, Moses the Black, which premiered in the United States on January 30. She explained that she took her inspiration from the Lives of the Saints, but told the story in a manner that can touch the hearts of those who need it most: “I…

Feb 5, 2026Ștefana Totorcea

The Week in Pictures: January 26 – February 1, 2026

Please find below snapshots of Orthodox life from the final week of January 2026, that reveal the beauty of a life lived with faith, hope, and love. Last week’s most-liked Instagram post:   Vezi această postare pe Instagram   O postare distribuită de Basilica.ro (@basilica.ro) Do you want to be featured in our weekly selection…

Feb 2, 2026Ștefana Totorcea

Orthodox participation at the 2026 March for Life in Washington, DC: Serbian hierarch offered the inaugural prayer

Serbian Orthodox Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America offered the inaugural prayer at the 2026 March for Life held last week in Washington, DC. A delegation of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America (ACOB-US) attended, while Pope Leo XIV sent a support message. “We pray, Lord, for…

Jan 29, 2026Ștefana Totorcea

The Week in Pictures: January 19 – 25, 2026

Whether you find yourself in a distant country in Africa or in a village in Romania, Orthodoxy is lived and built with faith and love. We invite you on a virtual journey through the Orthodox world with our photo feature from January 19 to January 26, 2026. The Patriarch of Serbia at Saint Sava Cathedral…

Jan 26, 2026Ștefana Totorcea

The Baptism of the Lord in the Holy Land: The Archbishop of Tomis concelebrated with the Patriarch of Jerusalem

The Baptism of the Lord was celebrated on Monday, according to the unrevised calendar, within the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Archbishop Teodosie of Tomis concelebrated alongside Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem. From the Holy Land, further details were provided for Basilica.ro by Archimandrite Ioan Meiu, representative of the Romanian Patriarchate at the Holy Places and Superior…

Jan 20, 2026Ștefana Totorcea

The Week in Pictures: January 12–18, 2026

A new week featuring remarkable images captured across the Orthodox world. Pilgrimage sites, commemorations, and liturgical moments are just some of the themes that inspired professional and amateur photographers between January 12 and January 18, 2026. Last week’s most-liked Instagram post:   Vezi această postare pe Instagram   O postare distribuită de Basilica.ro (@basilica.ro) Do…

Jan 20, 2026Ștefana Totorcea

The Week in Pictures: January 5–11, 2026

We invite you to follow, through images, moments of prayer and liturgical joy experienced by the faithful on the occasion of the Baptism of the Lord, as well as other photographs taken between 5 and 11 January 2026. Last week’s most-liked Instagram post:   Vezi această postare pe Instagram   O postare distribuită de Basilica.ro…

Jan 16, 2026Ștefana Totorcea

The Week in Pictures: December 29, 2025 – January 4, 2026

The beginning of the new year was marked throughout the Orthodox world by moments of prayer, communion, and hope. Our selection of images captures the events and liturgical services that brought light and blessing during the first days of the year, reflecting the continuity of faith and the joy of welcoming a new beginning under…

Jan 6, 2026Ștefana Totorcea

Patriarch Daniel sends irenic Christmas letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, sent an irenic letter to  His Holiness Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch, wishing him good health, peace, and joy on the occasion of the Nativity of the Lord and New Year. Full text: Bucharest, Nativity of the Lord, 2025 His Holiness BARTHOLOMAIOS, Archbishop of Constantinople – New Rome,…

Dec 23, 2025Ștefana Totorcea