On the occasion of Europe Day, Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia delivered a compelling message supporting the Republic of Moldova’s European trajectory. His Eminence emphasized the importance of aligning Moldovan society with the evangelical principles of love, wisdom, and justice. Metropolitan Petru highlighted the efforts of the Metropolis to endorse the “European path,” describing it as…
Romania’s martyrs from communist prisons are annually remembered on a National Day marked on May 14. In remembrance of the thousands of young people, intellectuals, theologians, and citizens of various social classes who opposed the communist regime and were detained between the nights of May 14 and 15, 1948, this day was established. A considerable…
The Synod of the Metropolis of Oltenia held a session on Bright Tuesday, May 7, during which it proposed a new monastic saint for canonization. Meeting at Lainici Monastery in Gorj County, the hierarchs discussed the events dedicated to the canonization of Venerable Ioan, the first abbot of Hurezi Monastery, founded in 1690 by St.…
The proposed canonization of fifteen Romanian venerables and confessors is a significant event in the history of the Romanian Orthodox Church. This proclamation, set to take place next year, coincides with the Church’s centennial since its patriarchal status was recognized. The files are currently undergoing analysis and are awaiting approval by the Holy Synod of the Romanian…
We continue the monthly presentation of heavenly physicians while commemorating the Lord’s Resurrection. Ten saintly persons who exhibited humility while bearing their cross and triumphed over human frailties have been selected as saints to whom faithful turn for solace and healing when confronted with adversity. St Matrona the Blind – May 2 Saint Matrona was…
Orthodox Romanians and Serbs observed Holy Saturday night by traditionally proclaiming the Resurrection of the Lord in the heart of Vršac, where the administrative centres of the Diocese of Dacia Felix and the Diocese of Banat of the Serbian Patriarchate are situated. After offering the Holy Fire at the cathedral, Bishop Ieronim of Dacia Felix…
At the Resurrection Vigil on Holy Saturday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel addressed the thousands of believers on the Hill of the Patriarchate, highlighting three great truths related to the Resurrection of Christ. Three great truths about the Lord’s Resurrection “The first truth. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is not His return to the…
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed the Holy Fire from Jerusalem on Holy Saturday evening at the Patriarchal Cathedral. He explained that it is a gift from God: “Through this Holy Fire, we have the sign of the love of Christ, the Light of the World.” “The Holy Fire is a gift of God, which is…
On Good Friday, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia met with Her Excellency Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova. Metropolitan Petru discussed the objectives, pastoral duties, and social engagements of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Bessarabia. The metropolitan website reported that His Eminence emphasised the significance of peace and unity in society and…
“Orthodox spirituality does not recognize the utopianism of a Resurrection without Crucifixion, nor the pessimism of the Cross without the Resurrection,” noted His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in his patriarchal encyclical for Holy Pascha. Full text: Patriarchal Encyclical for Holy Pascha of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew †Bartholomew By God’s Mercy, Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical…
The Holy Fire has descended in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, at about PM. After the Fire’s descent, the Patriarch passed the holy gift to the faithful who lit from it their bundles of 33 candles, per the age of Christ at the time of His Crucifixion and Resurrection. The descent of…
Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem sent an Easter message on Wednesday proclaiming the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and calling for an end to all hostilities in the region – “primarily to Gaza, the entire Holy Land and the Middle East”. “Today, the Church of Christ proclaims the gospel of unspeakable joy to the…
“Let us show a merciful heart towards those in need. Let us raise a thought of prayer for our fellows whose lives are troubled by the war in Ukraine, in the Holy Land and other parts of the world,” Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina urged in his Easter encyclical. At the same time, His Eminence Metropolitan…
In his pastoral letter for Holy Pascha, His Grace Bishop Sebastian of Slatina and Romanati advised the faithful to reject partisanship in the context of the current wars and to pray for all parties involved: “Let us raise the Cross instead of the sword and seek peace, not war; that peace that the Lord gave…
Friday is World Press Freedom Day, marked annually on 3 May. It was established by the UN in 1993. The day’s purpose is to remind governments to live up to their promise to provide freedom of expression to the press and journalists. This year, the theme is environmental protection. This year’s theme is “A Press…
On Thursday, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church sent an irenic Easter letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and the Primates of the Autocephalous Orthodox Churches. Full text: Bucharest, Holy Easter 2024 Your Holiness/Your Beatitude, Christ is Risen! The Holy Feast of the Resurrection is the foundation of the Christian life and the foretaste…
His Grace patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiești welcomed Rev. Hugh Wybrew, former chaplain of the Anglican Church in Bucharest between 1971 and 1973, for an audience at the Palace of the Patriarchate on Wednesday, May 1. Viorel Coman, patriarchal adviser at the Department for inter-church and inter-religious relations of the Patriarchal Administration, and Rev. Nevsky…
“We are responsible for standing upright and confessing the true faith, the true Orthodox values, defending our Romanian spiritual identity, and resembling the myrrh-bearing women,” His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia wrote in his pastoral letter for Holy Pascha 2024. “Full of courage, faith, zeal, and love, let us preach peace and forgiveness and share…
In his Easter message, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel recalled that Christ’s Resurrection celebrates His humble and merciful love for all. “The Resurrection of the Lord is the celebration of Christ’s humble and merciful love, the One who overcame hatred, violence and death, giving people eternal life. That is why Holy Pascha is the celebration of forgiveness, peace…
International Labour Day, marked annually on May 1, was established by dozens of nations in memory of the struggle of America’s industrial workers for the eight-hour workday. In the 19th century in the US, it was not uncommon for workers to spend up to 16 hours a day at their jobs, reports America’s National Public…