Cultural

Archaeologists say they may have identified biblical Bethsaida on Sea of Galilee

A possible biblical mystery may have been solved, with archaeologists claiming to have identified the village of Bethsaida in Israel. The locality is mentioned in the New Testament and associated with several miracles performed by Jesus Christ. Researchers began excavations a decade ago at the archaeological site of El-Araj, located on the north-eastern shore of…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s space pioneer Dumitru Prunariu receives church distinction on 45th anniversary of historic mission

Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu, the first Romanian to fly into space, received on Thursday the Metropolitan Order of “Saint Demetrius the New, Protector of Bucharest” on behalf of Patriarch Daniel. The distinction was presented to the astronaut by Protosyncellus Simeon Cuțui, Cultural Exarch of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, during a festive session of the Romanian Academy marking…

May 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Memorial cross blessed at Romanian Parliament on site of church demolished under communism

A memorial cross was blessed on Tuesday near the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest on the site of the former “Spirea Veche” Church, which was demolished during the communist regime. The blessing service was officiated by Archimandrite Nectarie Șofelea, Exarch of the Monasteries of the Archdiocese of Bucharest. According to a press release, the monument…

May 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Lead scientist of Holy Sepulchre restoration recalls ‘energy’ felt when Christ’s tomb was opened

Professor Antonia Moropoulou of the National Technical University of Athens recently delivered two lectures on the historic restoration of the Holy Sepulchre located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. “When we opened the Holy Sepulchre, my colleagues and I felt an energy being released. The findings within the masonry fully preserved their historical authenticity,”…

May 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania proposes Vânători-Neamț Monastic Cultural Landscape for UNESCO World Heritage status

Romania’s Ministry of Culture has recently submitted a proposal to include the Vânători-Neamț Monastic Cultural Landscape on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the “Land of the Bison” ecodestination. The Vânători-Neamț Monastic Landscape overlaps with Vânători-Neamț Natural Park, a protected area of approximately 30,000 hectares designated in 1999 and including two Natura 2000…

May 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania showcased as European cultural-religious destination at Cotroceni Palace exhibition

An exhibition titled “Romania – A Leading European Cultural and Religious Destination,” dedicated to Europe Day, opened on Thursday at Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest. For the first time, the Basilica News Agency displayed photographs at an event organised by the presidential administration. The exhibition was organised on the occasion of Europe Day in partnership with…

May 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian in history: Queen Helen, Righteous Among the Nations and the mother of a wise king

Sunday marked 130 years since the birth of Queen Helen of Romania, posthumously honoured with the title of Righteous Among the Nations for saving the lives of thousands of Jews and, indirectly, preventing the deportation of tens of thousands more through her interventions with Ion Antonescu. Alongside this courageous involvement in public affairs, she fulfilled…

May 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romfilatelia issues postal tribute to Synaxis of the Holy Romanian Women

Romfilatelia has issued a commemorative postal stationery item dedicated to the Synaxis of the Holy Romanian Women, marking the inclusion in the Church calendar of the 16 women saints canonised by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church and proclaimed in 2026. The philatelic piece reproduces the icon of the Synaxis, highlighting the portraits…

Apr 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

42 lost pages of Saint Paul’s Epistles recovered from ancient manuscript

Forty-two lost pages from the Epistles of the Holy Apostle Paul have been recovered from an ancient manuscript, in a discovery scholars say sheds new light on how the Pauline writings were read and interpreted in the early centuries of Christianity. According to the University of Glasgow, the discovery was made by an international team…

Apr 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ninth-century coin depicting Saint John the Baptist found in eastern England puzzles experts

A ninth-century coin depicting Saint John the Baptist has been discovered in eastern England, in a find that experts say is highly unusual for its time and raises questions about its origin and meaning, BBC reports. The object, a pendant made from a perforated gold coin, was found by a metal detectorist near Dunton, in…

Apr 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian ambassador in Portugal attends Divine Liturgy, highlights role of diaspora parishes

Romania’s ambassador to Portugal, Daniela Gîtman, attended on Sunday the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Timotei of Spain and Portugal at the Alcochete branch of the Romanian parish in Setúbal. The diplomat underscored the importance of parishes for Romanians living abroad. “With an essential contribution to preserving national spiritual traditions and the Romanian language, Romanian…

Apr 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu