One hundred forty years have passed since the birth of Father John the Stranger, a priest who introduced the Jesus Prayer to the Bucharest-based Burning Bush hesychast movement, as he had learned it from the elders of Optina Monastery. “John the Stranger” is the name by which Father Ioann Kulygin, born on February 24, 1885,…
On Sunday, the Ukrainian Orthodox Parish “Saint Peter Mogila” in Bucharest held a memorial service for the victims of the war in Ukraine, marking three years since the conflict began. The service was preceded by the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Father Vladimir-Clement Malcovici, the parish priest of the Ukrainian community. “I have parishioners who come…
His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, sent on Sunday a message wishing Pope Francis a quick recovery. “We pray the Lord Jesus Christ, the Physician of our souls and bodies, to heal Your Holiness’ suffering and restore you to health,” wrote the Patriarch of Romania. Full text: Bucharest, 23 February 2025 His…
On Thursday, the Académie Française hosted a joint session with the Romanian Academy at its headquarters in Paris, commemorating 145 years of diplomatic relations between France and Romania. Among the attendees were: Metropolitan Iosif of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe, Clara Staicu, Romanian State Secretary for European Affairs, Ioana Bivolaru, Romania’s…
On Tuesday, clergy from the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in Romania held a memorial service for the victims of the war in Ukraine, marking three years since the conflict began. The commemoration took place at the “Elevation of the Holy Cross” Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Sighetu Marmației, Maramureș County, where priests from the Sighetu Marmației Ukrainian…
His Grace Nectarie of Bogdania, the newly appointed Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chișinău, was introduced to the faithful of the Basarabia Metropolis during a ceremony held Thursday at the “Three Holy Hierarchs” Church in Chișinău. His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Basarabia presided over the Divine Liturgy, having as concelebrants his Assistant Bishop Nectarie…
On Tuesday, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada visited Assumption University, a Catholic institution in Windsor, Ontario, to discuss potential collaborations and partnerships in light of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. During his meeting with John Cappucci, President of Assumption University, the two discussed global Christianity and the challenges…
Memorial services, celebration of saints and the ordination of a new hierarch are some of the themes of the photos included in our feature for the week between 10-16 February 2025. Last week’s most-liked Instagram post: Vezi această postare pe Instagram O postare distribuită de Basilica.ro (@basilica.ro) Do you want to be featured…
A group of priests from the Metropolis of Bessarabia is participating in a training-of-trainers course titled “Domestic Violence and Combating Stereotypes in the Orthodox Perspective,” held on February 17-18. The training is organized by the Diaconia Social Mission of the Metropolis of Bessarabia in partnership with UN Women Moldova. One of the trainers is Father Ciprian…
The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education and Research of Moldova have recently established the “Council of Memory,” a consultative body dedicated to honouring the victims of political repression under the totalitarian communist regime (1917-1990). The founding order was signed on February 7 by Ministers Sergiu Prodan and Dan Perciun, aiming to contribute…
A century ago, on February 17, 1925, the Chamber of Deputies of Romania held a historic debate on the Law for the Establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate. During the session, Metropolitan Miron Cristea, who was soon to be enthroned as the first Patriarch of Romania, delivered a memorable speech. “This Honor Belongs to the Entire…
On Sunday, Patriarch Daniel of Romania described the Parable of the Prodigal Son as “a Gospel of forgiveness for the repentant sinner and a call to soften the unforgiving pious man”. Speaking at the Patriarchal Cathedral, His Beatitude emphasized that the Church has placed this parable on the second Sunday of the Triodion period as…
A delegation from the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Austria (ÖRKÖ) visited the Holy Land last week for discussions with organizations working for peace and reconciliation. The delegation included: Bishop Tiran Petrosyan, Apostolic Armenian Bishop and President of ÖRKÖ, Bishop Manfred Scheuer, Catholic Bishop of Linz, Superintendent Thomas Hennefeld, Regional Reformed Church leader, Father Nicolae…
The Patriarch of Romania, the Metropolitan of Bessarabia and other Romanian hierarchs performed the ordination to the episcopate of the new assistant bishop of the Chișinău Archdiocese during a solemn liturgy held Sunday at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest. Archimandrite Nectarie Clinic, the former abbot of Sihăstria Putnei Monastery in Suceva County, was elected by…
Non-formal educational activities for Romanian children in Glasgow have begun in a new parish school location, which was blessed last week by Archbishop-elect Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the patronal celebrations of the “Presentation of the Lord to the Temple” Parish. The event was attended by Andreea Ioana Berechet, Romania’s Consul General…
The Diocese of Dacia Felix signed a cooperation agreement on Thursday with the Serbian Municipality of Alibunar, which, according to the diocese, governs the localities with the largest number of Romanians in historic Banat. The agreement was signed at the Alibunar Town Hall by Bishop Ieronim of Dacia Felix and Mayor Zorana Bratic. During the…
Orthodox Christians in the United States have mobilised in impressive numbers at the most recent marches for life, demonstrating a growing commitment to the defence of human life starting from conception, according to RoLifeNews. Hundreds of Orthodox faithful have participated this year in the Marches for Life from Washington, DC, San Francisco and Austin. Hierarchs…
In 2024, the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in Romania carried out a series of cultural, catechetical, and philanthropic activities, including traditional choral concerts, a symposium on Ukrainian saints in Romania, and increased catechetical programs for youth and adults. Cultural and Educational Activities The vicariate hosted several notable concerts, including: The 8th edition of the Passion Hymns…
The Very Rev. Archimandrite Nectarie Clinci from Sihăstria Putnei Monastery in Suceava will be ordained as Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chișinău, following his election by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The Metropolis of Bessarabia has announced that the ordination will take place on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at the Patriarchal…
His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at Putna Monastery, delivering a sermon on the spiritual dangers of pride, inspired by the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee. During his homily, Metropolitan Nicolae emphasized that even hermits are not exempt from the temptation of pride. “Those monks who…