Anniversaries and commemorations

Western & Southern Europe Metropolitan Iosif celebrates name day on feast of Saint Joseph of Arimathea

His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif, Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of Western and Southern Europe, celebrates his spiritual patron on Thursday, as the Church commemorates Saint Joseph of Arimathea, the nobleman who laid Christ’s body in the tomb. Metropolitan Iosif was born on February 19, 1966, in Vișeu de Jos, Maramureș County, Romania. He graduated from “Gheorghe Șincai”…

Jul 31, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Remembering Romania’s Patriarch Teoctist: 18 years after his passing

It has been eighteen years since Patriarch Teoctist of Romania passed away on July 30, 2007, at the age of 92. Born Toader Arăpașu on February 7, 1915, in the village of Tocileni, Botoșani County, he was the tenth child of Dumitru and Marghioala Arăpașu, raised in a large and devout Orthodox family. From a young…

Jul 30, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

100 years since Ecumenical Patriarchate endorsed Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate

A century ago, on July 30, 1925, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople issued the synodal tomos officially recognising the establishment of the Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate. This recognition affirmed the decision made by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church on February 4, 1925. Following canonical provisions, the decision of the Holy Synod was communicated…

Jul 30, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Disciple of Saints and heir to the legacy of Romanian Patriarchs: Patriarch Daniel turns 74

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel has celebrated his birthday on Tuesday. Exactly 74 years ago, in the village of Dobrești, Timiș County, western Romania, Dan-Ilie was born—the third child in the family of schoolteachers Alexie and Stela Ciobotea. His Beatitude once shared that he learned the value of work and faith from his parents, despite being…

Jul 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Assistant Bishop Sofian of Brașov marks 55th birthday, celebrated for cross-European ministry

His Grace Bishop Sofian of Brașov, the Assistant Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg, celebrated his 55th birthday on Tuesday. Born on July 22, 1970, in the village of Băcel, Covasna County, he was given the name Gheorghe at baptism. After completing his primary and secondary education, he attended Industrial…

Jul 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Nine years since the Holy and Great Council: Romanian Orthodox Church’s consistent contribution

Monday marks nine years since the opening of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, which brought together hierarchs from ten autocephalous Orthodox Churches in Crete. The Romanian delegation included 25 hierarchs. The Council took place between June 16–26, 2016, preceded by a preparatory working committee from June 9–16. Key topics addressed included:…

Jun 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Basilica News Agency celebrates 17 years since first article: The Good to Know about the Church and society

Today marks 17 years since the Basilica News Agency, the media arm of the Romanian Patriarchate, published its first article. Established as a department on October 27, 2007, within the Basilica Media Center, the Romanian Patriarchate’s news agency began operating effectively the following year, with its first news story released online on June 16, 2008.…

Jun 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian hesychast and anti-Communist Confessor Fr. Benedict Ghiuș remembered 35 years after his passing

Archimandrite Benedict Ghiuș, one of the founders of the “Burning Bush” Hesychast Movement, humbly reposed in the Lord on June 12, 1990. Born Vasile Ghiuș in 1904 in Domnești, Vrancea County, he studied at the Faculty of Theology in Cernăuți and later earned his doctorate in Strasbourg, France. In 1934, he embraced monastic life at…

Jun 12, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia marks 50th birthday

His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia celebrates his 50th birthday on Wednesday. He was born on June 11, 1975, in Puhoi, Anenii Noi District, in the Republic of Moldova. He entered monastic life at Neamț Monastery in 2007 and was ordained a hierodeacon and later a hieromonk at St Anthimos Monastery in Bucharest in…

Jun 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Basilica Media Center celebrates its mission in service of the Trinity, the Light, and the Church

All branches of the Basilica Media Center operate under the protection of the Most Holy Trinity, honoring the Trinitarian name carried by the Romanian Patriarchate’s radio and television channels. In the same spirit, the daily newspaper of the Patriarchate is placed under the sign of light, while the news agency—like the center as a whole—bears…

Jun 9, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

1,700 years since First Ecumenical Council: A foundational moment in shaping Christian doctrine

Exactly 1,700 years ago, on May 20, the First Ecumenical Council (of the entire Church) was convened in Nicaea — a foundational moment in shaping Christian doctrine. The Arian doctrine, which claimed that God the Son does not share the exact nature as God the Father, was the main reason that made a universal meeting…

May 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu