Ștefana Totorcea

August 16 | Romanian Patriarchate welcomes declaration of National Day of Awareness of Violence against Christians

The Romanian Patriarchate appreciates the introduction of the National Day of Remembrance of the Brâncoveanu Martyrs and of Awareness of Violence against Christians on August 16 and it announces that the commemoration will be marked next Sunday in all the Romanian churches. This year, the new national day of remembrance coincides with the Sunday of…

Aug 13, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

The Lamentations of the Dormition of the Theotokos

FIRST STASIS In a grave they laid you yet, O Christ, you are life and they now have laid the Mother of Life as well: both to angels and to men a sight most strange!   We exalt you greatly, Theotokos most pure, and we glorify your holy dormition now, as we bow before your…

Aug 13, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

53% of Georgians feel their faith is protective during the pandemic

A study made at the request of the National Democratic Institute in Georgia has found that 53% of Georgians feel their faith is protective during the coronavirus pandemic. The study researched the Georgians’ opinion on COVID-19-related issues such as the role of faith and religious leaders, disinformation, attitudes towards EU and NATO. 53% of the…

Aug 4, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

The Romanian Adamclisi wine has obtained Protected Designation of Origin

The European Comission has approved the request to include the Romanian Adamclisi wine in the list of Protected Designations of Origin (PDO). Adamclisi is the name of white, rosé and red wine assortments produced in an old wine-growing area from Dobrudgea region in Eastern Romania, by the Black Sea shore. The soil and climate confer…

Jul 31, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

The Week in Pictures: July 20 – 26, 2020

A photo review of Orthodox life from the week July 20 – 26, 2020: the birthday anniversary of the Romanian Patriarch, the enthronement of the new Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuți, unique landscapes and radiant portraits seen through the lens of professional and amateur photographers. Last week’s most-liked picture on Instagram:   View this post…

Jul 30, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Pan flute musician Nicolae Voiculeț played Romania’s National Anthem at the memorial Cross on Caraiman Peak

Romanian musician Nicolae Voiculeț, disciple of famous Romanian pan flute player Gheorghe Zamfir, played Romania’s National Anthem at the Caraiman Cross on Wednesday. The event was organized on the National Anthem Day at the initiative of the artist and it was joined by two choirs: The Choir of the Brașov County Military Police Inspectorate and…

Jul 30, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

A 1,300-year old church was discovered near Mount Tabor

The Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Tuesday the discovery of a 1,300-year old church in Galilee, not far from Mount Tabor. It was found when the work for a new playground was started in the Kfar Kama village. The church has the perimeter of 12 × 36 meters and is surrounded by a large courtyard.…

Jul 30, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Most of the Orthodox in the West are Romanian. Romania ranks 3rd in the world in terms of Orthodox population

Romania ranks 3rd in the world in terms of canonical Orthodox population, according to a review made by Matthew Namee from the Society for Orthodox Christian History in the Americas. Another conclusion of his analysis is that most of the Christian Orthodox in the West are Romanian. The first three countries in terms of the…

Jul 28, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

One-millenium old cross discovered in Pakistan confirms ancient Christian presence in the region

Three University of Baltistan researchers, led by Vice-Chancellor Muhammad Khan, found last month a giant marble cross at the foot of the Karakorum Mountains, in the Pakistani village of Kavardo. It is estimated to be over 1,000 years old. This confirms ancient Christian presence in a country that has subsequently become predominantly Islamic.  The cross…

Jul 24, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

The Week in Pictures: July 13 -19, 2020

Please find below a review of moments and events from the life of the Romanian Orthodox Church between July 13 and July 19. The selection includes a beautiful sunrise at Putna Monastery, children from the county of Maramureș and Patriarch Daniel’s meeting with the Christian Orthodox Students’ Association (ASCOR). Last week’s most-liked picture on Instagram:…

Jul 24, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

CROCEU on Hagia Sophia: The effort to erase its ancient Christian origins is deplorable and dangerous

The Committee of the Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the European Institutions (CROCEU) expressed its deep regret concerning Turkey’s unprecedented violation of the UNESCO rules by changing the status of Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque. CROCEU has issued a statement in which it says the action violates historical memory and…

Jul 23, 2020Ștefana Totorcea