Ștefana Totorcea

Diocese of Covasna donates 10 tons of potatoes to Roma people affected by the fire

The Orthodox Diocese of Covasna and Harghita donated 10 tons of potatoes to the Miercurea Ciuc city council to prepare meals for the Roma people temporarily accommodated in the city sports hall. They were taken in after a fire destroyed their houses in January. Bishop Andrei of Covasna and Harghita declared for Romania’s national news…

Feb 5, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Regular liturgical life resumes in the old church of the Berislăveşti Monastery after 21 years

Regular services were resumed in the church at Berislăveşti Monastery in Vâlcea, Romania, after 21 years. Previously, services were held only occasionally because of the danger of the collapse of the building, reports the Archdiocese of Râmnic. Extensive restoration and conservation work on the historical ensemble began in 2015, which allowed for the reopening of…

Feb 5, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Mother Alexandra honoured in Iaşi: Commemoration service and exhibition

Princess Ileana, the last princess of Romania, better known as Mother Alexandra, was commemorated in Iași, Romania, on the 30th anniversary of her repose. The National Athenaeum in Iași inaugurated a photo exhibition in her honour. The memorial service was held in the Artists’ Chapel of the Athenaeum and attended by the institution’s management, employees,…

Jan 29, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Romanian Patriarchate stands for one hour per week religious education classes in all high schools

The Romanian Patriarchate announced on Wednesday it stands for keeping the one-hour-per-week time budget of Religious Education in all high schools, regardless of their technological or theoretical profile. His Grace Varlaam of Ploieşti transmitted the message in person at the Palace of Parliament, during a debate organized by the joint parliamentary committees for Education, science,…

Jan 28, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Archdiocese of Timișoara spends 900,000 € on philanthropic projects in 2020

The Archdiocese of Timișoara, in Western Romania, spent 900,000 € on philanthropic projects last year, according to an announcement on its official website. The beneficiaries were socially-vulnerable persons and institutions with financial difficulties. “In spite of all the financial difficulties,” the diocese said in a statement, “support activities have been intensified by the Diocesan Center…

Jan 28, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Christians around the world called to reflection and action during the Covid-19 pandemic: Document

A document proposed last year by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID) encourages communities and Christian organizations to reflect upon Christian solidarity with other religions and confessions in a period marked by the Covid-19 pandemic. The document, entitled “Serving a Wounded World in Interreligious Solidarity: A Christian…

Jan 27, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

The Week in Pictures: January 18 – 24, 2021

Romanian Orthodox Christians marked last week the day of the Romanian Principalities’ Union: January 24. The Orthodox faithful who follow the unrevised Julian calendar celebrated the Epiphany. Please find below our selection of last week’s photos from Romania and the whole Christian Orthodox world.  Last week’s most-liked Instagram post:   View this post on Instagram…

Jan 26, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Orthodox organization invites children to strengthen faith through a short film competition

A Christian Orthodox organization from Sidney, St Ypomoni Family and Friends Ministry, launched a short film competition for children. The initiative aims to strengthen their faith and make them reflect on the main message of the Gospel: love of God and of one’s neighbour. “Fruits of the Spirit” is the theme of this inaugural edition.…

Jan 22, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Bishop Visarion prays with inmates at Tulcea Prison

Bishop Visarion prayed with the inmates from Tulcea Maximum Security Prison and offered them gifts last Saturday. At the prison’s “Holy Apostles Peter and şi Paul” Chapel, the prisoners attended the Divine Liturgy celebrated by the bishop on the feast of the Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy Apostle Peter. The hierarch spoke…

Jan 21, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Persecutions against Christians worsen during pandemic

More than 340 million Christians were severely persecuted in 2020 and the phenomenon worsened during the coronavirus pandemic, announced last week Portes Ouvertes, the Frech partner of Open Doors International. The numbers have gone up since the 2019 report, which found 260 million Christians persecuted globally. The organization monitors all the incidents, from daily soft…

Jan 20, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Poll: The Church remains the most trusted institution in Romania

A poll made by the Center for Urban and Regional Sociology – CURS between January 11-15 found that the Church remains the most trusted institution in Romania. The research report showed that 62% of the Romanians place a high and very high degree of trust in the Church. On the second place came local councils,…

Jan 19, 2021Ștefana Totorcea