Romanian Patriarchate

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

Romanian Orthodox churches to hold special prayers for peace as Ukraine war enters fourth year

Special prayers for peace will be offered in all places of worship of the Romanian Patriarchate on Sunday, 22 February 2026, marking four years since the outbreak of the devastating war in Ukraine. Romanian Orthodox priests, both in the country and throughout the diaspora, will pray in parish churches, monastery chapels and churches, as well…

Feb 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate’s Basilica Media Centre receives special prize at Journalists’ Gala

The Basilica Media Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate was awarded a Special Prize at the Gala of the Union of Professional Journalists of Romania (UZPR), held on Monday evening at the “Ion Creangă” Theatre in Bucharest. The event was opened by Dan Constantin, President of the UZPR, and moderated by Daniela Mihai Soare, journalist with…

Feb 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop receives Bishop of Gaborone, highlights mission cooperation in Africa

His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, general secretary of the Holy Synod, received His Grace Bishop Mark of Gaborone and Botswana at the Patriarchal Palace last Thursday, Feb. 12. “I conveyed the greetings of His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa to His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel,” the visiting hierarch said.…

Feb 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch meets Greek metropolitan in Bucharest to promote pilgrimage and church cooperation

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church welcomed on Friday His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veria, Naoussa, and Kampania of the Church of Greece at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest. Metropolitan Panteleimon is in Bucharest to take part in the Romanian Tourism Fair and in the launch of the documentary “The Nectar of…

Feb 13, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate’s Basilica Media Centre nominated for journalism special award

The Basilica Media Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate has been nominated for the Special Award granted by the Union of Professional Journalists of Romania (Uniunea Ziariștilor Profesioniști din România) at the “Excellence in Journalism” gala. The ceremony will take place on February 16, starting at 7:00 p.m., at the Ion Creangă theatre in Bucharest. Other…

Feb 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church designates 2027 as year of remembrance for Patriarchs Justinian and Teoctist

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church announced that 2027 has been designated a Commemorative Year in honour of the Patriarchs Justinian Marina (1948–1977) and Teoctist Arăpașu (1986–2007). The decision was approved on the eve of the 111th anniversary of the late Patriarch Teoctist’s birth. The two Primates led the Romanian Orthodox Church during…

Feb 10, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Paisie of Sinaia says God restores, not humiliates, the repentant believer

Speaking on Sunday at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia said that the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son does not reproach his child, does not humiliate him and does not demand explanations. “His gaze does not fall on the sin, but on the suffering that needs healing.…

Feb 10, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu