Spirituality

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

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