Spirituality

Orthodox Dormition Fast begins with prayer, fasting and spiritual renewal

The Dormition Fast begins on Friday for Orthodox Christians observing the revised calendar and concludes on 14 August, the eve of the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God. During these two weeks, the faithful are called to fasting, prayer and spiritual purification. Typically, the fasting period starts on 1 August. However, according…

Jul 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Iachint: Christ continues to nourish us today through the Holy Eucharist

“Christ continues to nourish us today through the Holy Eucharist,” said Sunday Bishop Iachint of the Pacific, Assistant Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, at Radu Vodă Monastery in Bucharest. “Christ nourishes us with the Holy and Divine Eucharist, with His Body and Blood,” the assistant bishop said, noting that,…

Jul 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Assist. Bishop Sofian at Cernica Monastery: Holiness is the health of soul and body as God intended it

Assistant Bishop Sofian of Brașov said on Sunday at Cernica Monastery that holiness represents “the health of the soul and body” as God intended human beings to live. The assistant bishop to the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Germany, Austria and Luxembourg celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the monastery’s St Nicholas Church, where he spoke about…

Jun 10, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church establishes Synaxis of Military Martyrs

The Holy Military Martyrs, venerated by the Church as protectors of the Romanian Armed Forces and models of Christian witness, will now have a common feast day in the Romanian Orthodox calendar. The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church decided last week that the Synaxis of the Holy Military Martyrs will be celebrated annually…

Jun 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church adds St Gabriel the Confessor of Georgia to liturgical calendar

Saint Gabriel the Confessor and Fool for Christ of Georgia has been added to the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church, following a decision approved by the Holy Synod during its working session at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest last week. The Synod also approved the liturgical texts dedicated to the saint, who will be…

Jun 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Digital Matericon: Women Saints of June

As part of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the Calendar, Basilica.ro continues its Digital Matericon series, a monthly project dedicated to presenting the lives and spiritual legacy of women saints venerated throughout the Christian world. The June edition brings together a diverse assembly of holy women—from martyrs of the early…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

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