Romanian Patriarchate

Romanian bishop says Christians face ‘polite persecution’ in Europe

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia warned Thursday of both violent and “polite” forms of persecution facing Christians today, speaking at the chapel of Romania’s National Cathedral on the feast of Saint George. In his sermon, the hierarch reflected on Christ’s words from the Gospel of the day: “The hour is coming when whoever kills…

Apr 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam praises Saint Callinicus as model shepherd at Cernica monastery patronal feast

“The Holy Hierarch Callinicus of Cernica strove to be a shepherd in the image of the Good Shepherd, Christ the Saviour,” Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești said on Bright Monday at Cernica Monastery. The bishop celebrated the Divine Liturgy on the feast of Saint Callinicus of Cernica and explained why the Gospel of the…

Apr 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Fire from Jerusalem to be flown to Romania on special flight amid security restrictions

The Holy Fire from Jerusalem will be brought to Romania on a special flight on Holy Saturday, following an agreement secured with the support of Romanian and Israeli authorities. Archimandrite Ioan Meiu, representative of the Romanian Patriarchate to the Holy Land, said the Romanian delegation had received the necessary approvals to transport the Holy Fire.…

Apr 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop says service and brotherly love key to peace in the world

His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia, on Sunday, underscored the importance of serving one’s neighbour and cultivating brotherly love as essential to ensuring peace in the world. The hierarch celebrated at the Chapel of the National Cathedral, explaining that “the Gospel read today shows the Saviour Christ making His final journey to Jerusalem…

Apr 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Trust in God and the Mother of God brings true freedom, says patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești said on Friday evening at the Patriarchal Cathedral that true freedom is found through trust in God, the Mother of God and the saints. “Only with the help of God, of the Mother of God and of the saints can we feel truly free, entrusting our lives into the…

Mar 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate delegation meets Georgian Church hierarchs after Patriarch Ilia II funeral

A delegation of the Romanian Patriarchate that attended the funeral of Patriarch Ilia II was received on Monday afternoon at the headquarters of the Patriarchate of Georgia for a meeting with the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne and other Georgian hierarchs. Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, welcomed…

Mar 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Holy Land Representation donates icon of St John Jacob of Neamț to Chozeva Monastery

The Romanian Settlement in Jerusalem has offered Chozeva Monastery an icon of St John Jacob of Neamț, whom Patriarch Daniel has described as “the Romanian saint of the Holy Land”. The gesture reflects the spiritual bond between Romania and the Holy Land. This connection is closely associated with the life and ministry of St John…

Mar 6, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian pilgrims return home safely after evacuation from Israel via Egypt

Romanian pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău returned home safely on Tuesday morning after being evacuated from Israel amid rising regional tensions, the group’s escort said. Father Valentin Chircu, who accompanied the pilgrims, told Basilica.ro that the tense moments began on the final day of the planned pilgrimage. “While we were attending the…

Mar 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Sunday of Orthodoxy Encyclical 2026: Church affirms the unique and eternal value of every person

On the Sunday of Orthodoxy—the first Sunday of Great Lent—the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church released its annual pastoral encyclical, signed by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel and all members of the Synod. The letter, traditionally read in every parish during the Divine Liturgy, centres on the theme: “Man is the living icon of…

Feb 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie: Great Canon is ‘Adam’s lament’ and a biography of the soul

“The Great Canon has been called Adam’s Lament—that is, the lament of the man who realised that, in losing God, he lost himself. For this reason, the Canon is the biography of each of our souls, written in the form of prayer,” said patriarchal auxiliary bishop Paisie of Sinaia on Tuesday evening at the Patriarchal…

Feb 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

125 years after his birth, Patriarch Justinian remembered for wisely guiding Church under communism

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești on Sunday highlighted the decisive role of Patriarch Justinian in the history of Romanian Orthodoxy, saying he “was called by God to guide the ship of the Church in its most turbulent times.” Bishop Varlaam delivered the remarks during a memorial service marking 125 years since the birth of…

Feb 23, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu