Spirituality

2022: When does the Fast of the Holy Apostles begin?

This year, the Fast of the Holy Apostles begins on Monday, June 20, and lasts for nine days. The commemoration day of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul is celebrated every year on June 29. This year, they are celebrated on a Wednesday. As a result, the Church has ordained to permit fish, although the…

Jun 18, 2022Andrei Ursulean

Prayer and communion are fundamental pillars of the living Church: Romanian Bishop of Canada in Easter Pastoral Letter

In his Easter Pastoral Letter, the Romanian Bishop of Canada reminds us that the Church was established through prayer and communion after the disciples met Resurrected Christ. The hierarch also emphasizes the Eucharist as an act of communion with God. “The encounter with the risen Christ constitutes the Church. Following the encounter with Him, the…

Apr 21, 2022Ștefana Totorcea

Pastoral Letter of the Romanian Metropolitan of the Americas: Changing the world begins within ourselves

The Romanian Metropolitan of the Americas explains in his Easter Pastoral Letter what is the meaning of the candle that we lit on the night of Resurrection. He says we can change the world by the inner light of understanding that we, Christians, can bring peace “through clear vision, good deeds, and tolerance towards all,…

Apr 21, 2022Ștefana Totorcea

Romania’s single church dedicated to St Symeon the New Theologian to hold patronal celebrations

Preparations are underway for the patronal celebrations of Romania’s single church dedicated to St Symeon the New Theologian. Father Ioan Bârgăoanu, Dean of Onești and parish priest of the “St Symeon the New Theologian” Church, has announced the program. The Compline and Vigil services shall be officiated on Friday evening, with liturgical responses offered by…

Mar 11, 2022Ștefana Totorcea

7 pieces of spiritual advice for a meaningful Lent by Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj

His Eminence Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj offered seven pieces of practical advice for spiritual progress during Great Lent. “On March 7, 2022, we begin Lent. There has always been a need for prayer and fasting, especially now when there is war in Ukraine. We ask God to bring peace on earth,” the Metropolitan of Cluj…

Mar 7, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

When does Great Lent 2022 start?

Great Lent begins on Monday, March 7, 2022. Also called Quadragesima or Tessaracoste, Great Lent is a 40-day season of spiritual preparation that comes before the Feast of Holy Pascha or the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, which falls on April 24. Two of the three hesychast saints commemorated by the Romanian Patriarchate in…

Jan 27, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint Diadochos of Photiki, the newest Saint in the Romanian Church’s calendar

During its working session last December, the Holy Synod decided to include Saint Diadochos, Bishop of Photiki, in the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church, with commemoration day on March 29. The Holy Synod also approved the Saint’s service, akathist, synaxarium, and icon. Saint Diadochos was born around 400 and served as the Bishop of…

Jan 12, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia Metropolitan Petru urges respect for all born and unborn children in his Christmas encyclical

“The Church defends the unborn life because it looks with love to every woman who must give birth to children,” Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia notes in his Christmas encyclical. “God’s sign is the child,” His Eminence explains referring to the sign promised by God to the Prophet Isiah and by the angels to the shepherds.…

Jan 7, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

After 15 years of preparation, French octogenarian Françoise Détouche becomes Sister Radegund at Văratic Monastery

Converted to Orthodoxy in 1990, a French octogenarian received the monastic tonsure at Văratic Monastery after fifteen years of preparation. Under the mantle of the Abbess Iosefina Giosanu, Françoise Détouche received the name of Saint Radegund (+587), a Thuringian princess and Frankish queen, who founded a monastery at Poitiers, who is revered as a Saint…

Dec 14, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Let us bring the sighs of the publican as an offering to God: On fasting with the abbess of Bistrița – Vâlcea Monastery

Stavrophore Anastasia Honcioiu, Abbess of Bistrița – Vâlcea Monastery, urges everyone “to bring to God the sighs of the publican” and to avoid despair by putting our trust in God. The abbess agreed to answer a few questions about fasting and preparing for the feast of the Lord’s Nativity. Basilica.ro: How should we fast? Stavrophore…

Dec 3, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Elder Victorin, who tonsured Patriarch Daniel a monk, prayerfully remembered at Sihastria Monastery

His Grace Nichifor of Botoșani officiated last Saturday, at Sihăstria (Neamț) Monastery, the seven-year commemoration service for Archimandrite Victorin Oanele, the abbot who tonsured Patriarch Daniel a monk. “God has always had a variety of works throughout history,” said the Auxiliary Bishop of the Iași Archdiocese after the service. “Every human person has a calling…

Nov 2, 2021Ștefana Totorcea