Spirituality

Fast-Free week underway: When the Apostles’ Fast begins

Orthodox Christians are observing a fast-free week, during which there is no fasting on Wednesday or Friday, before the beginning of the Fast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. This year, the fast will begin on Monday, 8 June. The period of preparation for the feast of the two great Apostles will conclude on…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

First feast for newly canonised Romanian Athonite Saint Dionysius of Vatopedi held at Colciu Cell

Bishop Siluan of Hungary presided at the St George Cell – Colciu over the first feast in honour of Saint Dionysius of Vatopedi following the recent canonisation of the Romanian elder by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The all-night vigil began last Sunday evening and continued on Monday morning with the Divine Liturgy. The Romanian hierarch attended…

May 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian pilgrims join feast of St Basil of Ostrog in Montenegro

Romanian pilgrims prayed on Tuesday at the patronal feast of Ostrog Monastery together with His Eminence Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina. His Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy alongside Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral. The event marked the feast of Saint Basil the Wonderworker of Ostrog, the protector of the monastic settlement. Thousands…

May 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox bishop calls for dialogue between spiritual life and psychology

His Grace Assistant Bishop Damaschin of Dorna from the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți gave an interview as part of the Hristocentric project in which he addressed one of the most sensitive issues of our time: the relationship between spiritual life and psychology, the need for interdisciplinary dialogue, and the search for the integral healing…

May 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Northern Europe Bishop reflects on doubt and faith during Mount Athos pilgrimage

Between April 17 and April 19, Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe made a pilgrimage to Mount Athos, where he reflected on doubt and faith in his sermons. On Bright Friday, he arrived at Lakkoskete, where he officiated the all-night Vigil and the Divine Liturgy on the feast of the Life-Giving Spring. On Bright Saturday and…

Apr 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Two nuns tonsured at Orthodox Monastery in Scotland on Annunciation Feast

Two sisters from the community of Mull Monastery in Scotland received the monastic tonsure on the Eve of the Annunciation, according to announcements shared on the monastery’s Facebook page and by Archimandrite Serafim Aldea, abbot of the neighbouring monastery on the Isle of Iona. Sister Teodora received the name Mother Thaney, while Sister Maria became…

Apr 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Putna archimandrite says young people seek authentic fasting rooted in love, not constraint

Archimandrite Hrisostom Ciuciu of Putna Monastery said in an interview with Trinitas TV that young people have a distinctive way of understanding the spiritual life, noting that “they are the first to recognise true fasting”. The archimandrite emphasised that young people do not act out of constraint, but from inner conviction: “They do nothing unless…

Apr 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ignatie: Fairness without love can turn into inhuman legalism

“The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard reveals the mercy and goodness of God,” said Bishop Ignatie of Husi during his sermon on Monday, adding that people must learn to look upon this goodness with generosity of heart. Reflecting on the Gospel reading on the feast of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, the bishop…

Mar 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Bishop in Northern Europe issues seven Lenten guidelines for spiritual renewal

His Grace Bishop Macarie Drăgoi of Northern Europe has offered seven pastoral guidelines for spiritual renewal during Great Lent, urging the faithful to turn the fasting season into a time of reconciliation with God and neighbour, and of concrete solidarity with those who suffer. Ascetic struggle during Lent The bishop called believers to embrace ascetic…

Feb 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru says Great Lent re-places our being within the horizon of eternity

The season of Great Lent, which begins on Monday in the Orthodox Church, is a “time of inner examination, of clarifying the mind and of re-placing our being within the horizon of eternity,” Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia and Exarch of the Territories said in a pastoral message. “Beyond the outward exercise of bodily abstinence, we…

Feb 23, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Atanasie says forgiveness is the key to Great Lent

“Whoever understands the mystery of forgiveness understands that the Lord came to wipe away the sin of this world,” Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland said on Sunday in his message at the beginning of Great Lent. Referring to the well-known liturgical hymn “Open to me the doors of repentance,” chanted during the…

Feb 23, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu