International

U.S. Orthodox Bishops: Restoration of icons meant restoration of Church unity

The restoration of holy icons was more than a historical event — it was the restoration of the unity of the Church itself, the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America said in its encyclical for the Sunday of Orthodoxy. The Assembly, of which His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae, Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan…

Feb 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate begins talks with Israeli authorities to reopen Jordan River Hermitage closed since 1967

The Very Rev. Archimandrite Ioan Meiu, representative of the Romanian Patriarchate to the Holy Places and superior of the Romanian establishments in Jerusalem, Jericho and at the Jordan River, announced that the first official meeting with Israeli authorities regarding the restoration of the Romanian Hermitage on the Jordan River—closed since 1967—took place on the first…

Feb 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch says asceticism leads to genuine freedom in Great Lent message

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has issued a catechetical homily ahead of Great Lent 2026, emphasising that ascetic struggle — properly understood — reveals the true freedom of the Christian life. In his message, made public by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Patriarch Bartholomew described Great Lent as a time for repentance, prayer, humility and spiritual vigilance,…

Feb 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Icons donated by Ecumenical and Bulgarian patriarchs arrive at Bulgaria’s Antarctic research base

An icon of Saint Demetrius the Myrrh-gusher, donated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, and an icon of the Mother of God with the Child, donated by Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria, were placed on Tuesday in the new laboratory of Bulgaria’s “St. Clement of Ohrid” research base on Livingston Island, in Antarctica. The icon…

Feb 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian lower house speaker meets Jerusalem Patriarch during official Israel visit

Sorin Grindeanu, Speaker of Romania’s Chamber of Deputies, met last Wednesday with His Beatitude Theophilos III of Jerusalem, Patriarch of Jerusalem. The meeting took place during an official visit to Israel by the Romanian parliamentary delegation, which also included Romania’s health minister and several members of parliament. “The first visit was to His Beatitude Patriarch…

Feb 9, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Jerusalem Churches launch restoration of Nativity Grotto in Bethlehem

The Jerusalem Patriarchate, the Custody of the Holy Land, and the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced the start of restoration work at the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem. According to a joint statement, the works will be carried out by the Italian company that recently oversaw the rehabilitation of the Church of the Nativity,…

Jan 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Metropolitan Serafim attends installation of new Vienna Catholic archbishop

His Eminence Metropolitan Serafim of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Germany, Central and Northern Europe, attended the enthronement ceremony of the new Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Vienna, Josef Grünwidl, on Saturday. The installation took place at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the Austrian capital, in the presence of around 3,000 people. The ordination and installation…

Jan 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Anastasios of Albania prayerfully remembered at Tirana Cathedral one year after his passing

Archbishop Anastasios of Albania was prayerfully remembered on Sunday at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tirana, one year after his passing. The memorial service was led by the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church, Archbishop John, together with members of the Holy Synod. Archbishop John stressed that the annual commemoration is a…

Jan 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

The Baptism of the Lord in the Holy Land: The Archbishop of Tomis concelebrated with the Patriarch of Jerusalem

The Baptism of the Lord was celebrated on Monday, according to the unrevised calendar, within the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Archbishop Teodosie of Tomis concelebrated alongside Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem. From the Holy Land, further details were provided for Basilica.ro by Archimandrite Ioan Meiu, representative of the Romanian Patriarchate at the Holy Places and Superior…

Jan 20, 2026Ștefana Totorcea

Romanian Patriarchate envoy attends New Year reception hosted by Israeli President in Jerusalem

The Very Rev. Archimandrite Ioan Meiu, the representative of the Romanian Patriarchate to the Holy Places, attended on Monday the official New Year reception hosted by His Excellency Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, and First Lady Michal Herzog. The event took place at the Presidential Residence in Jerusalem, in the presence of the Director General…

Jan 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Greek Orthodox Synod urges honouring of newly canonised Romanian Athonite saints

The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece has called on all metropolises across the country to honour four Athonite Elders of Romanian origin, canonised this year by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. According to a document issued on Monday in Athens, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople proclaimed the saints “in full accordance with the practice and…

Dec 19, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu