The World Health Organization (WHO) observes World Health Day on 7 April every year. The contribution of doctors, nurses and other health workers is acknowledged on this day. The tagline of World Health Day 2020 is ‘Support nurses and midwives’. To generate attention towards their contribution during the COVID-19 outbreak, the World Health Day will…
‘We are called to prayer, humility and repentance to transform ourselves, to change the way we think, speak and are, the way we act, live and work,’ Patriarch Daniel said during his homily on the fifth Sunday of Lent. Speaking from the St George chapel of his patriarchal residence, the Patriarch of Romania referred to…
A hundred church chanters formed a nationwide choir on Sunday teaming up for a communal singalong in honour of the Mother of God. The church singers found a way to record one of the most famous hymns of all, singing it individually, on their phones. Then the videos were combined into a virtual cell phone…
The holy relics of Saint Demetrios the New were taken out of the Patriarchal Cathedral and driven on the streets of Bucharest in a procession of cars on Sunday to halt the coronavirus pandemic. The restricted procession of three cars was led by the patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiesti. The holy relics and icon…
The Consultative Council of Religious Denominations in Romania has sent a message to society calling for compliance with the measures taken by the authorities and urging for intense prayer during the coronavirus pandemic. “Prayer is a source of spiritual power to overcome fear and disease. Cultivating the peace of the soul through persevering prayer protects…
During the state of emergency, the Romanian Orthodox Church has intensified its presence both online and in society respecting all the required sanitary precautions. Even before the state of emergency being declared in Romania, just as the authorities raised the level of alert regarding the coronavirus epidemic, the Church had started preparations to prevent a…
On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America sent a message. As he highlighted on his twitter account, “On #WorldAutismAwarenessDay let us all take care to support and encourage our brothers and sisters with autism, and especially in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, ensure the security of their rights and…
Archbishop Anastasios recommends us to spread the hope in Christ and show a positive attitude, based on prayer and love during the coronavirus pandemic, which affects both physical and mental health. His Beatitude reassures the faithful and reminds them that „the crucified and resurrected Christ offered to His disciples peace and freedom from fear, promising…
The Metropolitan of Bessarabia urged ‘all those who feel Romanian to intensify their prayers’ and remember the founders of the historical event of March 27, 1918, when the region united with the Kingdom of Romania. In his message marking the 102nd anniversary of the Union of Bessarabia with Romania, Metropolitan Petru recalled the important role…
‘I just want to say a few words to hopefully help you stay sane through all of this. This feels like one of the main challenges of the moment’, said Father Serafim Aldea from a monastery located on Isle of Mull in Scotland. ‘It’s amazing how many messages are being forwarded in al sort of…
While a number of hierarchs have been blessing their respective cities and provinces from above on plane and helicopter rides, His Eminence Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech, one of the most authoritative hierarchs of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, took to the rocky heights overlooking the city to pray for and bless his city and flock. On…
Retired Bishop Daniil of Dacia Felix gave a notable sermon on Sunday addressing ‘the Very Reverend Walls, the Reverend Chant Stands and Chairs in our Orthodox churches.’ Speaking to the church objects and walls, the retired bishop Daniil Stoenescu said that illness and the inability to cross the threshold of churches these days are a…
Since 1967, on or around Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, 2 April, International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children’s books. Each year a different National Section of IBBY has the opportunity to be the international sponsor of ICBD. It decides upon a theme and…
World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognized day on 2 April every year, encouraging the Member States of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness about people with autistic spectrum disorders including autism and Asperger syndrome throughout the world. It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly resolution “62/139. World Autism…
On March 29, the Fourth Sunday of the Great Lent, Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa presided over the Orthros and the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St. Savvas the Sanctified in Alexandria, Orthodox Times informs. He also performed the memorial service for the repose of the soul of his…
The monks of Putna Monastery pray for a miracle from the monastery’s patron saints to rescue Romania from the coronavirus outbreak. Carrying relics and icons, the monks walked around the outside of the monastery’s main church on Sunday, praying the coronavirus away. The procession was organized as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the…
Celebrating his 66th birthday on Sunday, the Archbishop of Roman and Bacau announced that he will donate his March 2020 salary to the hospitals in Bacau County to help alleviate the array of adverse effects stemming from the coronavirus epidemic. Archbishop Ioachim urged the clergy to join forces with the Archdiocese to show solidarity as…
The assistant bishop of the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj has called on the faithful who cannot attend church services due to the restrictions adopted to fight against the new coronavirus epidemic to accept the measures ‘with a spirit of repentance,’ without giving in to resentment. The Assistant Bishop Benedict of Bistrița posted a…
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA announces a resource center for clergy and faithful during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Resource Center includes updated news from the various jurisdictions as well as practical guidelines and resources for families, ministry leaders, parish leadership, and everyone. The Center can be accessed here and will be updated…
Patriarch Daniel on Monday gave over 2,000 Euro from his salary to buy protection equipment for the volunteers involved in the Patriarchate’s social campaign ‘Help with joy’ geared to helping isolated patients all over Romania. The money will provide volunteers with the necessary equipment to support vulnerable people in their area. An online platform was…