Spirituality

11 holy healers celebrated in August

In the last month of the ecclesiastical year, saints who quickly intercede for the healing of diseases are remembered. Among them are four Romanian saints, for whom many believers from our country, but also from abroad, testify. Saint Theodora of Thessaloniki – August 3 Saint Theodora was born in Aegina in the 9th century, but…

Aug 7, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

The role of the spiritual father in healing addictions: Insights from Jean-Claude Larchet

The renowned French Orthodox theologian Jean-Claude Larchet discussed the importance of the spiritual father in the healing process of addictions in an interview published in the 17th issue of the “Words to Young People” magazine by Putna Monastery. The importance of relationships in healing addictions When asked, “How important is the relationship with a person…

Aug 7, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

“The Transfiguration of the Lord: A Call to Transform Our Lives” – Reflections by Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești

“The Transfiguration of the Lord is an exhortation for each of us to cleanse and transform our lives because He promises those pure in heart that they will see God,” said His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești on Tuesday. “The Hesychast Fathers, the great ascetics of Egypt, considered that the purpose of Christian…

Aug 7, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Priests Ilarion Felea, Ilie Lăcătușu and Dumitru Stăniloae, witnesses of Christian love in an era marked by hatred and division

Răzvan Mihai Clipici, the head of the Culture subdepartment of the Culture, Painting and Restoration Sector of the Patriarchal Administration, published an article with historical data about the priests Ilarion Felea, Ilie Lăcătusu, and Dumitru Stăniloae in response to various accusations that appeared in the public space after their canonization. Full text: Priests Ilarion Felea,…

Jul 30, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Sihăstria Monastery abbot welcomes canonization of Elders Paisie Olaru and Cleopa Ilie: They are alive and take care of us

“We are delighted by the approval of the canonization of all sixteen saints, but we especially welcome with great devotion, gratitude, and spiritual joy this decision to approve the canonization of the two fathers from Sihăstria Monastery, Venerable Paisie Olaru and Venerable Cleopa Ilie,” Archimandrite Arsenie Popa, abbot of Sihăstria Monastery, told Basilica.ro. “The pilgrims…

Jul 18, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Why do we feel anxiety: A sermon on simplicity by Bishop Ignatie of Huși

On Sunday, His Grace Bishop Ignatie of Huși officiated the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Sibiu. During his sermon, the bishop explained the Gospel passage from Matthew 6:22-34, emphasizing the simple way people should relate to everything around them. Simplicity Bishop Ignatie stressed that Christ’s call for simplicity reminds us of a virtue…

Jul 18, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Venerable Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery, the first 21st-century Orthodox Saint canonized

The Romanian Orthodox Church has canonized sixteen new saints during the synodal sessions held on July 11-12. Among these, Venerable Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery stands out as the first Orthodox saint to have lived in the 21st century. Saint Sofian Boghiu Saint Sofian (Serghei Boghiu) was born on October 7, 1912, in Cuconeștii Vechi,…

Jul 15, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy healers celebrated in July (I)

In the month of July, the Orthodox calendar features numerous healing saints, among whom Saint Panteleimon and Saints Cosmas and Damian stand out as some of the most renowned unmercenary physicians. This is the most extensive selection yet in the series of articles on holy healers, aligning with the themes of the 2024 Commemorative and…

Jul 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

July, a Month of Women Saints in the Orthodox Calendar: Their lives show how much Christian women can achieve

Men and women are equal in Christ and equally called to holiness. Traditionally, the Romanian Orthodox Church honours Christian women on the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women. Still, during a patronal feast of the Romanian community in Turkey, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew suggested that July could also be designated as a Month of Holy Women. Month…

Jul 3, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

OCA Metropolitan Tikhon visits Putna Monastery: An occasion for spiritual strengthening and reflection on monastic life

His Beatitude Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada (Orthodox Church in America), visited Putna Monastery on June 4-5, 2024. Archim. Melchisedec Velnic, the abbot of the Romanian monastery, and the fathers welcomed him with honours on Tuesday. They led him into the monastery church, where the abbot briefly presented the…

Jun 6, 2024Ștefana Totorcea

Can a Christian be depressed? If resumed to gratitude and humility, the world would not suffer: Bishop Nectarie of Brittany

“It would be wonderful if suffering itself brought us closer to God. When we see things from this perspective, we do not despair and discourage ourselves,” said Bishop Nectarie of Brittany, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Western Europe, on Sunday. The Gospel passage about the Healing of the Paralytic at Bethesda teaches us “to…

May 27, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu