Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia said on Friday that there is growing conviction among intellectuals, cultural figures and Church servants in the Republic of Moldova that Bessarabia’s destiny lies in communion with Romania, as the 108th anniversary of the Union was marked. “We observe with great joy that, in the conscience of intellectuals in the Republic…
Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan on Thursday attended a commemorative event at Cernica Monastery marking 108 years since the Union of Bessarabia with Romania. In a post on his official Facebook page, the head of government highlighted the significance of the 1918 event: “The Act of Union, adopted in Chișinău, was the first cornerstone laid…
The Metropolis of Cluj, Maramureș and Sălaj marked on Wednesday the 20th anniversary of its establishment with a Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Cluj-Napoca. The occasion also marked 15 years since the enthronement of Metropolitan Andrei as head of the Metropolis. The Divine Liturgy was concelebrated by Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș and…
Patriarch Justinian Marina was commemorated on Thursday, 49 years after his repose, at his tomb at Radu Vodă Monastery in Bucharest. The memorial service was officiated by Archimandrite Nectarie Șofelea, Abbot of the monastery and Administrative Exarch of the monasteries within the Archdiocese of Bucharest, who highlighted the difficult context of the communist regime during…
Claudia Maria Podașcă, a Romanian neurologist based in Germany, spoke in an interview hosted by the Hristocentric platform about her experience in neurology and emergency medicine. The physician said that her work across different branches of medicine has profoundly changed her perspective on life and suffering. “In emergency medicine, I understood how fragile the boundary…
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church highlighted the blessing of families, especially those who give birth to or adopt children, in his homily for the Feast of the Annunciation on Wednesday. “On this day of the Annunciation in particular, we greatly value God’s blessing upon all families, and especially upon families who…
The Embassy of Israel in Romania said on Tuesday that Israeli authorities have begun logistical preparations for the transfer of the Holy Fire from Jerusalem, amid ongoing security challenges in the region. In a statement posted on social media, the embassy said that “the State of Israel is taking all necessary steps to facilitate the…
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said on Wednesday that the Mother of God holds a central place in the history of humanity’s salvation, describing her as “a living icon of the Church, obedient to God in humility”. He underlined that the Feast of the Annunciation marks “the beginning of our salvation…
The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has issued an encyclical marking the 1,400th anniversary of the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos, regarded as the first such hymnographic composition in the history of the Church. The hierarchs described the Akathist as “the most beloved hymn of our liturgical life, the sweetest delight of…
A group of Romanian pilgrims prayed on Wednesday at the Church of the Virgin Mary of Blachernae in Constantinople, marking 1,400 years since the first chanting of the Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God. The pilgrimage, organised by the Romanian Patriarchate’s Basilica Travel Agency, is taking place over four days and includes visits to…
A delegation of the Romanian Patriarchate that attended the funeral of Patriarch Ilia II was received on Monday afternoon at the headquarters of the Patriarchate of Georgia for a meeting with the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne and other Georgian hierarchs. Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, welcomed…
This year marks 14 centuries since the city of Constantinople was saved from a siege by a coalition of Avars and Persians, an event commemorated by the first chanting of the Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God. The Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos, traditionally attributed to Saint Romanos the Melodist, was first chanted in…
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I said on Sunday in Tbilisi that no one had identified more closely with Georgia than Patriarch Ilia II of blessed memory. In his address at the funeral service for Patriarch Ilia, His All-Holiness underscored the magnitude of the loss, stating: “How could we not deeply mourn the departure of…
Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia on Sunday warned that an increasing number of young people are falling prey to addictions, distancing them from faith and family. His Grace officiated the Divine Liturgy at the Parish of Saint Nicholas in Arenii Noi, Republic of Moldova. Reflecting on the Gospel account of the healing of the demoniac…
The Greek community in Romania marked Greece’s National Day on Sunday with a Te Deum service officiated at the Chapel of the Annunciation in Bucharest. The commemorative events took place at the place of worship on the grounds of the Embassy of Greece in Romania. Attendees included Her Excellency Lili Evangelia Grammatika, Ambassador of the…
His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe on Saturday urged the faithful to “melt the icebergs of the soul” at the conclusion of a pastoral mission in Greenland. His Grace spoke about the missionary experience carried out in extreme conditions, as well as its spiritual fruits. “After the seven days spent in Greenland, I can…
“Prayer united with fasting is necessary, living and powerful, liberating from passions, unclean spirits, illness and weakness,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said on Sunday. In his homily delivered at the historic Chapel of the Holy Great Martyr George within the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest, Patriarch Daniel highlighted the contrast between…
The funeral of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia took place on Sunday at 12:30 local time, drawing tens of thousands of mourners. The burial service was officiated by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, concelebrating with Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku (Mujiri), Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne of the Georgian Orthodox Church, together…
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church officiated a Trisagion service on Sunday at the Chapel of the Great Martyr George within the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest, in memory of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia. The Patriarch of Romania offered prayers for the repose of the soul of the Primate of the Georgian…
His Beatitude Father Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, issued a message on the occasion of the funeral of His Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, held on Sunday in Tbilisi. The Primate of the Church of Romania stated that Patriarch Ilia II “guided with wisdom and steadfastness the faithful Georgian…