Anniversaries and commemorations

Miraculous Syriac Icon of the Mother of God marks 67 years at Ghighiu Monastery

On February 25, 1958, the miraculous “Syriac” Icon of the Mother of God was brought to Ghighiu Monastery by Metropolitan Basil Samaha of Sergiopolis from the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. For 67 years, many faithful who have prayed before the icon at Ghighiu Monastery have testified to receiving swift aid, healing, and…

Feb 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

140 years since the birth of Father John the Stranger, a key figure in the Burning Bush hesychast movement

One hundred forty years have passed since the birth of Father John the Stranger, a priest who introduced the Jesus Prayer to the Bucharest-based Burning Bush hesychast movement, as he had learned it from the elders of Optina Monastery. “John the Stranger” is the name by which Father Ioann Kulygin, born on February 24, 1885,…

Feb 24, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Bucharest holds memorial for war victims on third anniversary of conflict

On Sunday, the Ukrainian Orthodox Parish “Saint Peter Mogila” in Bucharest held a memorial service for the victims of the war in Ukraine, marking three years since the conflict began. The service was preceded by the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Father Vladimir-Clement Malcovici, the parish priest of the Ukrainian community. “I have parishioners who come…

Feb 24, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

It is not my honor, but that of the entire Church: Patriarch Miron on the debate on the Law establishing the Romanian Patriarchate

A century ago, on February 17, 1925, the Chamber of Deputies of Romania held a historic debate on the Law for the Establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate. During the session, Metropolitan Miron Cristea, who was soon to be enthroned as the first Patriarch of Romania, delivered a memorable speech. “This Honor Belongs to the Entire…

Feb 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church marks 100 years since becoming a Patriarchate

On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrates 100 years since the Holy Synod approved the establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate. This decision elevated Patriarch Miron Cristea, then Archbishop of Bucharest and Metropolitan of Ungro-Wallachia (Muntenia), as the first Patriarch of Romania. The Romanian Parliament officially recognized the Synodal decision through a special…

Feb 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Youth Day celebrated worldwide on February 2

Orthodox Youth Day is observed annually on February 2, marking an occasion for young Orthodox Christians worldwide to celebrate their faith and community. This International Day was established in June 1992 during the 14th General Assembly of Syndesmos – The World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth. The initiative received the blessing of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and…

Feb 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

On this day in 1992, the Metropolis of Bessarabia was reactivated by the Holy Synod

Thirty-two years ago, on December 19, 1992, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church officially acknowledged the reactivation of the Metropolis of Bessarabia. This autonomous metropolis, based in Chișinău, became integral to the Romanian Orthodox Church. The decision to reactivate the Metropolis of Bessarabia was made by clergy and faithful gathered at the Archdiocesan…

Dec 19, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania’s Name Day: Connecting his mission to the Prophet Daniel

The Holy Prophet Daniel, a shepherd to his people during the Babylonian exile, is the spiritual protector of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, who leads the Romanian Orthodox Church during a period when Romanians are most extensively spread across all meridians of the globe. Saint Daniel, honoured on December 17, lived for nearly 90 years and…

Dec 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

December 13: A day honouring printers and Metropolitan Saint Dositheus

December 13 is dedicated to printers, commemorating their peaceful protest in Bucharest for socio-economic rights and press freedom. Nearly 600 printing workers in Romania’s capital ceased their activities and marched to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, joined by other factory workers. Their peaceful demonstration in front of the National Theatre was met with violence…

Dec 13, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Polish Orthodox Church celebrates a century of autocephaly

The Polish Orthodox Church marked its centennial anniversary of autocephaly on Wednesday. Following World War I, Orthodox Christians in Poland worked diligently to gain independence for their Church from the Russian Orthodox Church. In 1922, a synod was convened to proclaim the Polish Orthodox Church’s autocephaly, an initiative officially recognized by Ecumenical Patriarch Gregory VII…

Nov 14, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Basilica Media Centre marks 17 years with on-scene coverage of St Demetrius the New Feast

This Sunday marked 17 years since the founding of the Basilica Media Centre, the press branch of the Romanian Patriarchate. Journalists from all five of its components were celebrating by bringing live coverage of the annual feast of St. Demetrius the New, the patron saint of Bucharest. Founded on October 27, 2007, Basilica Media Centre…

Oct 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu