Society

Emperor Constantine the Great’s gigantic statue unveiled in Rome

On Tuesday, a contemporary reconstruction of the ancient Colossus of Constantine was unveiled at the Capitoline Museums in Rome. This reconstruction was accomplished through the use of 3D modelling technology. Historians have identified several fragments of the original statue that were utilised in the reconstruction process to restore it to its original proportions and appearance.…

Feb 8, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Bucharest coat of arms will include image of city patron Saint Demetrius the New

During a meeting last week, the municipal council of Bucharest revised the coat of arms to include the patron saint of the city, Saint Demetrius the New. The councillors granted their approval for the replacement and modification of Annexe 1 of Decision No. 76/1993. This amendment entails substituting the current representation of Saint Demetrius the…

Feb 6, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Days in 2024 & 2025 when marriage is not permitted

The Orthodox Church established that marriages are not performed on fast days, during fasting seasons, or on the major feasts of the church. Some of these days vary according to the liturgical calendar, making it difficult for young people to plan their weddings. In this context, we provide the days when marriages are not performed…

Nov 23, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

#RedWeek campaign raises awareness of Christian persecution worldwide

The #RedWeek campaign of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), a 70-year-old Catholic initiative, unfolds between November 19 and 26, 2023: churches and famous monuments around the world are lit with red lights to draw attention to the persecution of Christians. The first edition of the #RedWeek campaign was in 2015, when the statue…

Nov 22, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

2023 Media Person of the Year Award handed over to Romanian priest: I love my country, not necessarily television

“It is a bit too much for me,” Fr. Constantin Necula said with modesty after receiving the diploma and trophy, designating him Romania’s Media Person of the Year during the Radar de Media Gala held Tuesday evening in Bucharest. The priest expressed his gratitude to the Metropolitan of Transylvania, who did not refuse him any…

Nov 9, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

The joy to communicate The Good to Know: Basilica News Agency, Trinitas TV producers receive Radar de Media Excellence Awards

The Basilica News Agency of the Romanian Patriarchate received recognition for its consistent activity during the 2023 Radar de Media Awards Gala, organised by Myosotis Media Group on Tuesday evening. The Patriarchate’s Spokesperson Vasile Bănescu and TV producer Cosmin Iulian Cârstea were also awarded for their shows at Trinitas TV. Nominees included two famous Romanian…

Nov 9, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Nicolae urges prayer for peace: “Pray to the Lord to change the hearts”

In the context of reignited violence in Israel, which has led to an attack on a monastery in Gaza, Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas has asked the clerics and the faithful to pray for peace. “Pray to the Lord to change the hearts of those who started the war and restore peace and…

Oct 23, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

Metropolitan of Bessarabia welcomes recognition of Romanian language as official language of Romanians in Ukraine

“With great joy, we welcome and appreciate the recognition of the Romanian language, and not “Moldovan”, as the official language of the Romanian minority in Ukraine,” Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia said in a statement. “This news is truly historic and full of significance for the entire Romanian community in Ukraine.” “We offer our sincerest congratulations…

Oct 23, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Ukraine, willing to give relics of Saint Theodora to Romania in exchange for national heroes’ remains

The relics of Saint Theodora of Sihla could be brought to Romania, according to a joint statement issued after a meeting between the governments of Ukraine and Romania on Wednesday in Kyiv. According to the statement, the two prime ministers noted “the importance of work related to the organization of the search for the relics…

Oct 20, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Basilica.ro: Distributing “The Good to Know” on social networks for eight years

The Facebook, X.com (formerly Twitter), and Instagram pages of the Basilica News Agency of the Romanian Patriarchate turn eight years old on Friday, October 20, 2023. They are the best examples of how anything can be used to do good. Numerous readers are exposed to articles about the Church’s philanthropy and those that promote facts…

Oct 20, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

This is the family that has been decorating St. Parascheva’s baldachin with flowers for 20 years

The reporters of the national news agency Agerpres spoke with the family of florists who, for 20 years, have been coming from Bucharest with flowers to decorate the baldachin for Saint Parascheva in Iași. Ioan Buștei travelled to Iași with his family, the company’s specialised team, and a vast quantity of flowers. He has been…

Oct 10, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu