Anniversaries and commemorations

25th Anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s Historic Visit to Romania

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s momentous visit to Romania, a significant event in the history of both the Catholic and Orthodox communities. Held on May 7-9, 1999, this visit marked a Pope’s first visit to a predominantly Orthodox country, underscoring a pivotal moment of ecumenical dialogue and cooperation. During…

May 14, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

May 14: Romania marks National Day honouring martyrs who suffered in communist prisons

Romania’s martyrs from communist prisons are annually remembered on a National Day marked on May 14. In remembrance of the thousands of young people, intellectuals, theologians, and citizens of various social classes who opposed the communist regime and were detained between the nights of May 14 and 15, 1948, this day was established. A considerable…

May 14, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

In 2024, World Press Freedom Day invites journalists to raise awareness on environmental issues

Friday is World Press Freedom Day, marked annually on 3 May. It was established by the UN in 1993. The day’s purpose is to remind governments to live up to their promise to provide freedom of expression to the press and journalists. This year, the theme is environmental protection. This year’s theme is “A Press…

May 3, 2024Ștefana Totorcea

Labour Day pays tribute to industrial workers’ efforts to gain due recognition of their rights

International Labour Day, marked annually on May 1, was established by dozens of nations in memory of the struggle of America’s industrial workers for the eight-hour workday. In the 19th century in the US, it was not uncommon for workers to spend up to 16 hours a day at their jobs, reports America’s National Public…

May 1, 2024Ștefana Totorcea

Romanian Orthodox Church marks 139th autocephaly anniversary: Recognizing no other authority but the Saviour God-man

Today marks 139 years since the Ecumenical Patriarchate recognized the autocephaly of the Romanian Orthodox Church, an essential moment for the Church and the Romanian State, which had won its independence from the Ottoman Empire (1877). “Essentially, autocephaly is the recognition of the spiritual maturity and administrative and pastoral freedom of an Orthodox Church in…

Apr 25, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

World Down Syndrome Day: They have an additional chromosome, but are just as human as the rest of us

This Thursday we mark World Down Syndrome Day. This year’s theme calls upon everyone to end stereotyping the people with this genetic condition. Stereotypes can stop people with Down syndrome from being treated like other people. “We get treated like children, we are underestimated and we are excluded. Sometimes we are treated very badly or…

Mar 21, 2024Ștefana Totorcea

World Social Work Day: Building together the change we need

Social workers around the world celebrate their accomplishments on Tuesday, when World Social Work Day is marked. The initiative to celebrate World Social Work Day was endorsed by member organisations of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) at its General Assembly in Adelaide, Australia, in 2004. The date was agreed at the General Assembly…

Mar 19, 2024Ștefana Totorcea

Patriarch Daniel’s 34th anniversary of episcopal ordination: PHOTOS

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel was ordained to the episcopate at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Timisoara 34 years ago. On July 22, 1951, in Dobreşti village, Bara commune, Timiş County, patriarch Daniel, the sixth head of the Romanian Orthodox Church, was born as the third child of educator Alexie and his wife Stela Ciobotea. He pursued doctoral…

Mar 4, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

World Day of the Sick: Prayer for the suffering and their carers

World Day of the Sick is marked in institutions and communities from all over the world on February 11. The observance of this day aims to raise awareness in society of the need to support the sick and their carers. One way to support them is to pray for them. Spiritual and charitable events can…

Feb 11, 2024Ștefana Totorcea

World Cancer Day 2024: Recognising the power of working together

World Cancer Day is marked every 4 February as a global initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the largest and oldest international cancer organisation. The 2022-2024 theme is “Close the Care Gap”, with an emphasis this year on the power of working together. Every single one of us has the ability…

Feb 4, 2024Ștefana Totorcea

6 January, World Day of War Orphans: Children’s rights must be respected during armed conflict

The French charity SOS Enfants en Détresse initiated an international day dedicated to war orphans years ago. It aims to raise international public awareness of the fact that children’s rights must be respected during armed conflicts, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. According to UNICEF estimates, some 5,700 children…

Jan 6, 2024Ștefana Totorcea