Spirituality

7 short prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos

During the period of fasting dedicated to preparing for the Dormition of the Mother of God, let us not neglect to offer her praise, gratitude, and even our most fervent petitions as often as possible. In addition to the simplest and most frequently recited prayer – “Most Holy Theotokos, save us!” – we offer seven…

Aug 11, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

He who sings prays twice: a Decalogue for Chanters by Archdeacon Mihail Buca

The founder of the Tronos Byzantine Choir of the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, Archdeacon Mihail Bucă, proposed a Decalogue for Chanters (Psaltes) in the context of the Commemorative Year of hymnographers and church chanters. We reproduce below the set of 10 rules for church chanters proposed by the Protopsaltis of the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest…

Jul 5, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian family from diaspora donates replica of Panagia Pantanassa icon to Bucharest Patriarchal Cathedral

A replica of the Pantanassa Icon of the Mother of God was installed last week in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest, where it will remain near the reliquary of Saint Demetrius the New, the Protector of Bucharest, with the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The icon, painted at the workshops of Vatopedi Monastery according…

Jun 13, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint Benedict of Nursia, on self-realization: An exclusive essay by Bp Benedict of Bistrița

Assistant Bishop Benedict of Bistrița wrote an essay exclusively for Basilica.ro inspired by the work of his spiritual patron Saint. Please find below Bp Benedict’s essay: Saint Benedict of Nursia, on self-realization Along with Saints Basil the Great or John Cassian, Saint Benedict of Nursia is among the founders and organizers of monastic life. He…

Mar 16, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Elder Iulian of Prodromos Skete laid to rest

On Saturday, the Romanian Prodromos Skete on Mt. Athos said farewell to one of its most beloved monks, Hieromonk Iulian (Lazăr). Fr. Iulian, who hailed from Botoșani in northeastern Romania and spent 46 years on the Holy Mountain, reposed in the Lord at the age of 97 on Friday, March 10. The separation from their…

Mar 15, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Damaschin: Fasting is not just about abstaining from certain foods; that would be too little

The Assistant Bishop to the Suceava Archdiocese, His Grace Damaschin of Dorna offered some advice for Lent in a video published by Trinitas TV. “Fasting is not just about abstaining from certain foods, that would be too little, it would be a detoxification cure, but that is not the role of fasting. You reduce the…

Mar 7, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Without Christ, we can do nothing for our profit or the peace of the world: Metropolitan Teofan says in his Christmas encyclical

“Without Christ, we can do nothing for our profit or the peace of the world,” Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina stressed in this year’s Christmas pastoral letter. The Metropolitan lamented the oppressive atmosphere created by the war in the neighbouring country. “The awareness that we share the suffering of those affected by war, that…

Dec 23, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Probable first cell of St. Paisius Velichkovsky discovered on Holy Mount Athos

A small stone hut believed to be the first monastic habitation of St. Paisius Velichkovsky during his time on the Holy Mount Athos was recently discovered by a group of monks who were cutting back the thickets of the monastery forest. The monks invited Sergei Shumilo, Director of the International Institute of the Athonite Legacy,…

Dec 16, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Relics of soon-to-be canonised Romanian Athonite Elder exhumed

The Patriarch of Romania delegated Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova to attend the exhumation ceremony of the relics of Elder Dionisie Ignat, which took place at St George Cell of Colciu Skete on Mount Athos last week. The monks of Vatopedi Monastery, on whose territory the cell where Father Dionisie Ignat lived, unearthed the relics…

Nov 22, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Neamț Monastery celebrates St. Paisius Velichkovsky in 300th year since his birth

Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina celebrated on Tuesday the Divine Liturgy for the feast of St. Paisius at Neamț Monastery in northeastern Romania, where the great saint served as abbot. Met. Teofan was joined by His Eminence Metropolitan Philip—the Ukrainian hierarch of St. Paisius’ hometown of Poltava—and several other hierarchs from the Romanian Orthodox…

Nov 18, 2022Ștefana Totorcea

All-night vigil at Sihla Monastery marking Saint Theodora’s 30th canonization anniversary

An all-night vigil was held at Sihla Monastery to mark three decades since the canonization of Saint Theodora of Sihla on June 20. The monastery is located near the cell where the venerable woman lived in fasting, prayer and asceticism. The feast of Saint Theodora of Sihla is celebrated in the Romanian Orthodox Church on…

Jun 27, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu