Researchers from the University of Haifa have discovered what they say is the world’s oldest nursing home, in the Byzantine (Roman) city of Hippos, the Times of Israel reported. Israeli archaeologists made the identification based on a mosaic inscribed with the words “Peace to the Elders,” uncovered on Monday, August 18, during excavations at Hippos…
A team of archaeologists has recently discovered a 30-centimetre-long stucco cross in the United Arab Emirates, dating back at least 1,300 years. The Christian symbol confirms that a group of houses unearthed decades ago was part of a monastery. The nine small courtyard dwellings were first discovered in 1992 on Sir Bani Yas Island, located…
A bas-relief of Romanian poet Mihai Eminescu was unveiled last week on the Alley of Nations in the Bulgarian city of Sveti Vlas. The event was attended by Brândușa Predescu, Romania’s Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria; Ștefania Bercu-Martak, Honorary Consul of Bulgaria in Romania; Gheorghi Nakov, a member of Romania’s Parliament representing the Bulgarian…
The Romanian Patriarchate has launched a major project to digitise the cultural heritage of the Romanian Orthodox Church. Romanians will gain online access to over 60,000 historical books, manuscripts, documents, and other valuable items from churches across the country. The project will scan and digitally preserve 60,015 historical, artistic, and documentary items dating from the…
Near the outer walls of the fortified citadel overlooking Fethiye Bay in Muğla Province, southwestern Turkey, archaeologists have discovered the ruins of a basilica likely dating back to the Middle Byzantine period (9th–12th centuries AD). The discovery was made during archaeological excavations conducted by experts from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, under the…
Oxford University Press is preparing a new English translation of the Holy Scriptures—a comprehensive study Bible—in a landmark academic project initiated and co-led by a Romanian Orthodox priest. The Ancient Christian Study Bible (ACSB) The coordinators of the project, titled The Ancient Christian Study Bible (ACSB), are Fr. Eugen Pentiuc, Dean of the Holy Cross…
His Eminence Metropolitan Job Getcha of Pisidia (Ecumenical Patriarchate) visited the Library of the Holy Synod last Friday, where he was guided by Archimandrite Policarp Chițulescu, the institution’s director. The Metropolitan was in Bucharest from May 13 to 17, 2025, to participate in the International Theology Symposium titled “The First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325):…
Iconographer and church artist Ana-Maria Zară has shared for the first time details of the reliquary being crafted to hold the holy relics of Saint Cleopas (Ilie) of Sihăstria. “In lines of silver, the memories of his spiritual steps through Romanian monastic spirituality will be engraved,” the artist wrote. “Each scene seeks to echo the…
Her Excellency Tamar Beruchashvili, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Georgia to Romania, along with Consul David Chachava, visited the Library of the Holy Synod on Friday, where they held discussions with Archimandrite Policarp Chițulescu, the director of the institution. The purpose of the visit was to propose a continued partnership with the…
Last week, Rev. Professor Emanoil Băbuș delivered a lecture titled “Are You Real or Virtual?” in Brașov. According to Lumina Newspaper, he spoke to young people about the dangers of the digital environment, which can lead to screen addiction and, over time, the loss of Christian values. “We spend energy for one purpose: the ecstasy…
Romania’s Vânători-Neamț Natural Park, home to the historic monasteries of Neamț, could become the eighth mixed UNESCO site in Europe. “There are natural sites, and there are cultural sites, but those number in the thousands. However, there are only seven mixed sites in all of Europe. Vânători-Neamț Natural Park could become the eighth. This is…
