Ștefana Totorcea

Pandemic journal, April 1-10 | New measures of support from the Romanian Orthodox Church in the COVID-19 crisis

In the second half of March and the first ten days of April 2020, the Romanian Orthodox Church invested over 2 million Euros (10 million ROL) in measures of support to combat the social effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Support actions continue, organized both at diocesan level and at grassroots level, in parishes who all…

Apr 19, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Prince Charles sends Paschal greetings to Romanians for Easter: Hristos a-nviat! (VIDEO)

The Prince of Wales has sent a video message for the Romanians, who celebrate Orthodox Easter. In it, he evokes the current health crisis and expresses the wish to travel again to Romania and also to meet again with members of the Romanian community in the United Kingdom. The message was recorded on Friday at…

Apr 19, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Patriarch Daniel’s Easter Message 2020: The Lord’s Resurrection is a source of light and hope in our struggle with life’s difficulties

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel sent a video message for Easter in which he encourages the faithful to stay in communion of prayer. He asks for the Lord’s blessing over the doctors, carers and state leaders, whishing Romania and the world good health, hope and peace. The video and full text of his message: The feast…

Apr 17, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

CROCEU: Covid-19 is a critical occasion for Europe to prove solidarity

The Committee of the Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the European Institutions (CROCEU) has published a press release on the Coronavirus pandemic and its consequences on social, political and spiritual level. They say it is a great trial and also a unique opportunity to prove solidarity and change our lives. The CROCEU members present…

Apr 13, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Statement by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America Concerning Holy Week and Easter

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America (ACOB-USA) recommends further compliance with the sanitary norms for Covid-19 prevention during the following period, when Orthodox Christians celebrate Palm Sunday, the Holy Week and Easter. A recent declaration lists strong recommendations regarding religious services: they should be officiated only with a maximum…

Apr 7, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

The Week in Pictures: March 30 – April 5, 2020

Orthodox life has adapted to the conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic, trying to turn social isolation into spiritual progress. Find below our selection of photos from the Orthodox world between March 30 and April 5, 2020. Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaNewsFollow us on Instagram: @basilica.ro We would gladly include one of your photos depicting Orthodox…

Apr 7, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Covid-19 | Romanian Orthodox Church initiates dozens of support measures for hospitals and people (March 16-31)

During the state of emergency, the Romanian Orthodox Church has intensified its presence both online and in society respecting all the required sanitary precautions. Even before the state of emergency being declared in Romania, just as the authorities raised the level of alert regarding the coronavirus epidemic, the Church had started preparations to prevent a…

Apr 3, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Mt. Athos to hold vigils and processions against coronavirus

Holy Mount Athos is closed to pilgrims until the end of March, but its monasteries continue prayer and religious services even more fervently. The governing Holy Community of Mount Athos has urged all churches and sketes on its territory to hold cross processions and officiate All-Night Vigils to the Mother of God, who is the…

Mar 27, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Nine Romanian monasteries are sewing bed linen sets for hospitals amid Covid-19 outbreak

In the new medical crisis which has reached Romania, nine monasteries from the Archdiocese of Iaşi, in the northeastern part of the country, offered to help hospitals. They have started making bed linen sets to be donated to local hospitals which are treating or prepare to treat Covid-19 patients. In addition to the cotton linen…

Mar 26, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Mount Athos closes for pilgrims and visitors because of the coronavirus epidemic

Deputy civil governor of Mount Athos Aristos Kasmiroglou has suspended the entrance of outside visitors and pilgrims to the Athonite State until March 30, 2020, according to Orthodox Times, which quotes Greek website ethnos.gr. This decision excludes officials and employees of Athos. The Holy Community of Mount Athos accepted the government’s decisions as formulated in…

Mar 20, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Archim. Zacharias Zacharou: Pandemic as going out in the Desert. Christ is with us there by calling upon His Name

Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou from “St John the Baptist” Monastery in Essex, Great Britain, has sent spiritual advice to the faithful who are panicked by the current coronavirus epidemic. He gives the answer to the question how to face a possible interruption of the celebration of the Divine Liturgy? We should use this time for spiritual…

Mar 20, 2020Ștefana Totorcea