Romanian Patriarchate

The Week in Pictures: November 11 – 17, 2024

Please find below captivating images, showing the beauty of creation in the transition period from autumn to winter, in our Week-in-Pictures photo feature for November 11 – 17, 2024. Bishop Visarion of Tulcea at the church of St. Athanasius in Niculițel, Romania, on November 14, 2024. Photo credit: Diocese of Tulcea Prayer to Holy Hierarch…

Nov 19, 2024Ștefana Totorcea

“Good deeds reflect our love for God,” says Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova

On Sunday, Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova reminded the faithful at the Patriarchal Cathedral that acts of kindness toward others are ultimately directed toward God. “Every good deed done for others is offered to God. When we help someone in need, we are, in fact, helping God,” the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bucharest…

Nov 19, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church encourages charity during Nativity Fast

In a pastoral letter issued on the first Sunday of the Nativity Fast, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church calls on monasteries and parishes to organize collections for those in need. “Although throughout 2024 the Church, through its clergy and lay faithful, has endeavored to bring more comfort and relief to those who…

Nov 19, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate opens St. John Chrysostom Bible Study Center in Lugoj

The blessing service for the new Bible study center, dedicated to St. John Chrysostom, was held in mid-October. Fr. Petru Rosoca, dean of Lugoj, led the service, which several Ukrainian and Romanian Orthodox priests joined. This center was established at the request of the faithful who attended the Orthodox Joy Camp for Adults in late…

Oct 30, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Church proclaims canonization of Saint Macarius Protopsaltes, Father of Romanian Chanting

The canonization of Saint Macarius Protopsaltes was proclaimed on Sunday following the Divine Liturgy celebrated for the Feast of Saint Demetrius the New. His Grace Varlaam of Ploiești, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop and Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, read the Synodal Tomos of Canonization. After the proclamation, the troparion of Saint…

Oct 29, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church designates 2026 as Year of Christian Family Ministry and Celebration of Holy Women

The Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate officially declared 2026 the Solemn Year of Christian Family Ministry and the Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the church calendar (Myrrh-bearers, Martyrs, Venerable Women, Wives, and Mothers). The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church ratified this decision on Friday, October 25. Solemn Year of Christian Family Ministry The emphasis…

Oct 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

The Path of the Saints Procession: Romanians welcome Saint Lazarus on Patriarchal Hill

Priests and faithful from the Archdiocese of Bucharest, along with pilgrims from across the country, participated in the “Path of the Saints” procession through the streets of the capital on Thursday as part of the celebrations of Saint Demetrius the New. After the procession, the Cypriot delegation, which brought the relics of Saint Lazarus, the…

Oct 24, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam discusses situation of Christians in Palestine with Palestinian Foreign Minister

On Friday, October 18, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești held a meeting at the Patriarchal Palace with Her Excellency Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, Palestinian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. The discussions focused on the situation of Christians in Palestine amid the ongoing military conflict in the region. Among the officials accompanying the…

Oct 22, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Celebrations of Saint Demetrius the New begin at Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest

The events dedicated to celebrating Saint Demetrius the New began Sunday morning at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest. Starting at 7:00 AM, the holy relics of Saint Demetrius the New, the Great Martyr Demetrius the Myrrh-Streamer, Saints Constantine and Helena, and Saint Nectarios were placed on the cathedral’s porch to allow pilgrims to venerate them.…

Oct 22, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod Chancellery issues recommendations for pilgrims attending festivities of Saint Demetrius the New

The Chancellery of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has issued a set of guidelines for pilgrims attending the celebrations of Saint Demetrius the New, Protector of Bucharest. The pilgrimage will take place from October 20 to 28. This year, the Primate of the Church of Cyprus will bring the relics of Saint…

Oct 18, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam to students: Theology is learned not only in class and library, but especially in the church

His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Tuesday at Saint Catherine University Chapel to mark the opening of the new academic year at the Orthodox Theology Faculty in Bucharest. Following the Divine Liturgy, the bishop read His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel’s blessing message and urged the young theology students to…

Oct 3, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu