Orthodox bishops in Germany have addressed the faithful through a pastoral letter, emphasizing the spiritual significance of Great Lent: “Our world is marked by wars, crises, and injustices. Many people experience persecution, violence, and fear. During this time, we, as Christians, are called not only to pray for peace but also to act actively in…
In its traditional pastoral letter for the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church emphasizes the pedagogical role of holy icons, which serve as guides leading to Christ, the Source of all holiness. Within the context of the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate, the Synod states: “For us, Romanians, the Sunday…
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America (ACOB-US), of which the Romanian Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas is a member, has issued a message on the occasion of the Sunday of Orthodoxy, to be celebrated in Orthodox churches at the end of the first week of Lent. “Today, we celebrate…
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Episcopal Cathedral in Saint-Hubert, Canada, delivering a message to the faithful on forgiveness and detachment from material things. “In today’s Gospel passage, our Lord Jesus Christ prepares us for the upcoming liturgical period of Great Lent,” the bishop said. Continuing his…
The Romanian Orthodox community in Southampton, United Kingdom, has completed the acquisition of Holy Trinity Church, a historic place of worship that preserves the memory of Titanic victims—the ill-fated ship that set sail for America from this very port. The purchase took place in two stages: the church building was acquired on December 14, 2024,…
At the beginning of Great Lent, the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Cluj-Napoca shared a series of reflections on Christian mission in the digital space, written by Rev. Professor Cristian Sonea. “Digital platforms can be ‘Jacob’s Ladder,’ a means of guiding people toward a real encounter with Christ in the Church, but they cannot replace…
Recently canonized by the Romanian Orthodox Church, Saint Liviu Galaction of Cluj offers a profound understanding of Christian fasting, seen not merely as abstaining from certain foods but as a true spiritual struggle. The selected quotes reflect the essential dimensions of fasting and have been chosen symbolically, corresponding to the seven weeks of Great Lent.…
On Wednesday , March 5, 2025, the assistant bishop to the Bucharest Archdiocese Timotei of Prahova read the third part of the Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete during the Great Compline officiated at the Patriarchal Cathedral. Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu
On Wednesday, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, Secretary of the Holy Synod, welcomed Her Excellency Tamar Beruchashvili, Ambassador of Georgia to Romania, at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest. Bishop Varlaam extended a warm welcome to the ambassador, emphasizing the strong and long-standing friendship between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Georgian Orthodox…
March 9 marks both the feast day of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste and the National Day of Commemoration for Anti-Communist Political Prisoners from the period 1944–1989. On this day, we especially remember the Romanian freedom fighters who opposed the totalitarian communist regime, endured imprisonment in labour camps and prisons and bore witness to…
The Archdiocese of Iași plans to commence construction work on the Saint Emilia Maternal Center this spring. Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina made the announcement in a video message marking the start of the Month for Life 2025 and was later confirmed by Pro Vita Iași in a recent Facebook post. A Shelter for…
On the second evening of Great Lent, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia officiated the Great Compline with the Great Canon at the Patriarchal Cathedral, describing it as “the dialogue of the sinful man with his own conscience before God.” Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie continued this penitential canon “is not the repentance of…
Wednesday marks 115 years since the birth of the late Patriarch Iustin Moisescu, who led the Romanian Orthodox Church as its fourth Patriarch. Born on March 5, 1910, in Cândești, then part of Muscel County (now Argeș County), he lost his father at a young age in the War of Reunification. Academic Excellence and Theological…
On Wednesday, His Grace Bishop Siluan of Italy marks his 55th birthday. Born on March 5, 1970, in Gura Râului, Sibiu County, he was the fourth of six children in a priest’s family. Theological Studies and Early Ministry Between 1989 and 1993, he studied at the Andrei Șaguna Faculty of Theology in Sibiu, followed by…
On Tuesday morning, His Grace Assistant Bishop Nectarie of Bogdania met with Igor Grosu, the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, for discussions centered on the role of the Church in society and its collaboration with state institutions. A Meeting of Cooperation “The meeting took place in an atmosphere of openness and…
“Every cell, every embryo carries within itself human dignity and the fundamental right to life,” declared Archbishop Ioachim of Roman and Bacău at the beginning of the Month for Life. “God is God because He brings into existence something that has never existed before. Out of His infinite love, He has also shared with humanity…
On Saturday, Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia honored the memory of the heroes and martyrs of the Dniester War at the Heroes’ Fountain near the village of Varnița, Anenii Noi district. The event marked 33 years since the conflict. Representatives from the police and the National Army, cultural figures, educators, students, and families of those…
On Monday evening, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești praised the Great Canon and its author, Saint Andrew of Crete, emphasizing the importance of both its message and regular recitation. After reading the first part of the Great Canon at the Patriarchal Cathedral, His Grace cited Archimandrite Teofil Părăian of Sâmbăta de Sus, who lamented…
“The one who fasts breaks the infernal cycle of desire and pleasure, hunger and satiety, redirecting their longing toward contemplating heavenly realities. This helps them walk in the renewal of life (Romans 6:4), living as a child of the resurrection (Luke 20:36),” Archbishop Irineu of Alba Iulia emphasized in a message on Clean Monday at…
On Tuesday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrates 35 years since his episcopal ordination. He was ordained as an Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Timișoara at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Timișoara on March 4, 1990, shortly after the fall of communism. Early Life and Education Born in Dobrești, Timiș County,…