An assembly of priests from the Onești Deanery conducted the Sacrament of Holy Unction on Monday at the chapel of the Târgu Ocna Prison Hospital, a site historically linked to the newly canonized Saint Gerasimus of Tismana, who was imprisoned there during the communist era. The service, presided over by Father Nicolae Zaharia, Dean of…
The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy concluded 2024 with an intensive pastoral effort, reflected in the remarkable number of religious services conducted across its 295 parishes. Over the year, the diocese recorded 4,750 baptisms, 167 conversions or re-conversions to Orthodoxy, 1,171 weddings, and 393 funerals. These figures underscore both the vibrancy of the Romanian Orthodox…
In an interview with Lumina Newspaper, Rev. Prof. Viorel Ioniță reflected on the historical and theological context of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, which marks its 1700th anniversary this year. Father Ioniță, an honorary patriarchal counselor and experienced professor of theology, discussed the reasons for convening the Council, the preserved documents, its impact on…
On Monday, Bishop Iustin of Maramureș and Sătmar visited Nicaea, the city where the First Ecumenical Council was held 1,700 years ago. The visit is part of an extensive pilgrimage from February 6 to 11, covering several monasteries and historic sites in Cappadocia and Asia Minor. Among the significant stops was the church where the…
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel received the Czech Republic’s Ambassador to Romania, His Excellency Martin Košatka, at the Patriarchal Residence on Wednesday. During his visit, Ambassador Košatka toured the Patriarchal Residence Museum and the Hall of Romanian Saints. Following the meeting, the ambassador expressed his appreciation: “It was a great honor for me to be received…
Assistant Bishop Benedict of Bistrița delivered a presentation on digital spirituality on Friday at the National Colloquium “Church Press at the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate”, held in Bucharest from February 6 to 8. His paper, titled “Digital Spirituality – Concept and Forms of Expression: A General Overview”, explored both the opportunities and risks associated…
Bishop Iustin of Maramureș and Sătmar, leading a group of 52 pilgrims, visited Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I at his residence in Constantinople on Saturday. His Holiness welcomed the Romanian pilgrims and highlighted the strong ties between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Romanian Orthodox Church. He also spoke about the modern Christian’s responsibilities in today’s globalized…
Greek Ambassador to Romania, Her Excellency Lili-Evangelia Grammatika, accompanied by Consul Euthymios Fokas and Greece’s Honorary Consul in Constanța, Theodoros Skandalides, visited Tulcea County on Friday, February 7. During the visit, Ambassador Grammatika met with His Grace Bishop Visarion, who presented her with an icon depicting the Virgin Mary. The Greek diplomat also held discussions…
In his sermon on the first Sunday of the Triodion period, Patriarch Daniel emphasized that believers are entering a time of intensified humble prayer, increased reading or listening to the Holy Scriptures, more frequent confession and Eucharistic communion, as well as greater almsgiving towards those in need. The Romanian Orthodox Patriarch explained the significance and…
Last week’s photos illustrate emotion, solemnity and deep spirituality at the event marking the Centenary of the Romanian Patriarchate, as well as other events in the Orthodox communities. 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 in our weekly…
As the Romanian Patriarchate celebrates a century of existence, this year also marks an important milestone for Lumina Newspaper, the first and only daily Orthodox newspaper in the world. Established on February 7, 2005, as a visionary project of the Church’s mission, Lumina Newspaper has grown from a regional publication to a nationwide and global…
On Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church met for a working session at the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. Following the election of a new Assistant Bishop for the Archdiocese of Chișinău, the Holy Synod adopted several decisions…
In less than a month, Orthodox Christians will begin Great Lent, the most significant and strictest fasting period of the year, leading up to Holy Pascha. Sunday, February 9, marks the start of the Triodion period, which includes a three-week liturgical preparation ahead of Lent. The first day of Great Lent 2025 falls on Monday,…
Eight years after being acquired by the Romanian Orthodox community, the Church of Saint Anthimos the Iberian in Auvers-sur-Oise, a commune 30 km from Paris, is undergoing extensive restoration. Currently, restoration efforts focus on the interior frescoes and the renovation of the courtyard. Ongoing Restoration Efforts Shortly after its acquisition, the church was adapted to…
The establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate was a natural consequence of the enthusiasm that followed the Great Union of 1918, but achieving it required immense effort from the country’s leadership, said Academician Ioan-Aurel Pop, President of the Romanian Academy, in an interview published in Lumina Newspaper on the occasion of the Centennial of the Romanian…
The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church elected Archimandrite Nectarie Clinci, abbot of Sihăstria Putnei Monastery, as Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chișinău on Wednesday evening. The newly appointed bishop will bear the title “His Grace Bishop Nectarie of Bogdania, Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chișinău.” With his election, the Metropolis of…
The central governing bodies of the Romanian Orthodox Church met on Wednesday at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest to review the Church’s activities for the year 2024. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel presided over the annual meetings of the National Church Council and the National Church Assembly. “We still carry the joy of yesterday’s celebration of…
Celebrating 100 years since the establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel addressed the clergy and believers from the Patriarchal Cathedral, noting that the Centennial should be a time of gratitude to God and a solemn occasion to honour the newly canonized saints. “Over the past 100 years, as an institution and spiritual…
In a significant event marking the centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has officially proclaimed the sainthood of sixteen confessors and spiritual fathers, recognizing their exemplary lives and martyrdom during the tumultuous times of the 20th century. The decree, issued on February 4, 2025, honours priests and monks…
Our new Week-in-Pictures photo feature brings you snapshots from the Orthodox world between January 27 and February 2, 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 in our weekly selection of photos? We would gladly include one of…