The Romanian Orthodox Church urges prayer, calm, and discernment amidst the ongoing parliamentary and presidential elections. We firmly reject any forms of behaviour that incite division or hatred and emphasize the need for dialogue throughout society to foster peace, mutual respect, and responsibility. This period, coinciding with the Nativity Fast, calls us to exhibit healthy…
Following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, December 1, thanksgiving services will be held in diocesan cathedrals, parish churches, and monastic places of worship across the country and abroad to mark Romania’s National Day. These services will give thanks for the freedom and unity of the Romanian people and honour the heroes who achieved the Great…
A pastoral care and support guide for individuals who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their residences has been made available by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States to parishes. Theological insights are included in the publication, which is primarily focused on practical guidance for Orthodox missions that target…
“It is not enough to abstain from harming others; one must also do much good to achieve salvation,” Patriarch Daniel reminded the faithful last Sunday during his sermon at the Chapel of St. George the Great Martyr in the Patriarchal Residence. Reflecting on the Gospel reading about Christ’s dialogue with a rich young ruler (Luke…
The Committee of Representatives of Orthodox Churches to the European Union (CROCEU) held its annual meeting from November 20 to November 23 in Istanbul under the auspices of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople. The event commenced with religious services held in historic locations and included discussions on enhancing dialogue between the Orthodox…
During Thursday’s working session of the Church Assembly of the Autonomous Orthodox Church of Finland, Metropolitan Elia of Oulu was elected Archbishop of Helsinki and All Finland. The meeting followed the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior at Valaam Monastery. Archbishop Leo, the current Primate of the Autonomous Orthodox…
“The national Thanksgiving holiday is a welcome occasion to announce, ahead of time, together with the angels, glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill among men (Luke 2:14),” noted His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas in his Thanksgiving message. “Our reflection ought to be complete…
The National Cathedral in Romania has been gifted a significant relic: a fragment of the right leg fibula of Saint Andrew the Apostle. The donation was made by His Grace Siluan, Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Italy, on behalf of all the parishes in the Italian peninsula. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel received the holy relic during…
In a spiritual epistle sent on the occasion of the Monastic Synaxis held on Monday in the Archdiocese of Craiova, Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia observed that “the mystery of monasticism is the most sacred calling that God has given to people.” “Therefore, whoever wishes to follow Christ the Saviour must leave worldly life and open…
“During these holy days, we are called to withdraw from the noise of the world, from conflicts and disturbances, and seek spiritual peace – hesychia – so cherished by the Holy Fathers,” said Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia on Thursday, the first day of the Nativity Fast according to the unrevised calendar. In his message, the…
The Nativity Fast begins on Thursday in most Romanian historical communities following the unrevised calendar. While Romanians in Romania commemorate St. Stephen the Younger and St. Irinarch on this day, most Romanians beyond the borders honour St. Paisius Velichkovsky of Neamț and Saints Gurias, Samonas and Habibus. Key feast days differ for those observing the old calendar.…
In the context of the sixth anniversary of the consecration of the National Cathedral altar, Father Nicolae Crîngașu, a patriarchal adviser and coordinator of the construction project, provided an update on construction progress during an interview with Trinitas TV. Father Crîngașu highlighted significant advancements since 2018, including visible structural developments and extensive work on the…
The “Megiddo Mosaic,” a mosaic discovered in ancient Megiddo, northern Israel, including the oldest known inscription proclaiming Jesus as God, is on exhibit at the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. (U.S.). The Biblical Archaeology Society (BAS) states that the mosaic “adds much to our understanding of early Christian communities in the Holy Land.…
The new Serbian Orthodox Bishop of Great Britain and Ireland, His Grace Bishop Nektarije (Samardžić), was enthroned on Sunday at St. Sava Cathedral in London. Serbian Patriarch Porfirije presided over the ceremony, which also marked the formal establishment of the diocese, which is headquartered in London. Romanian Orthodox hierarchs attending the event included His Eminence…
On Monday, Orthodox theology students in Bucharest honoured Saint Catherine, the patron saint of the Chapel of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, Secretary of the Holy Synod, along with an assembly of clergy who are also faculty members. “On behalf of…
On Monday, November 25, 2024, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania welcomed His Excellency Mr. Lior Ben Dor, the Ambassador of Israel to Romania, for a courtesy visit at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest. Patriarch Daniel praised Ambassador Ben Dor’s extensive diplomatic experience and highlighted the excellent relations between Romania and Israel. A pertinent example…
Last Friday, Romfilatelia unveiled its latest stamp issue dedicated to the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, titled “Christmas 2024.” The philatelic collection features two stamps, a perforated souvenir sheet, a “first-day” cover, and a special philatelic folder produced in a limited edition. The collection’s centrepiece is the stamp on the souvenir sheet, with a…
His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III celebrated the 19th anniversary of his enthronement as Patriarch of Jerusalem on Sunday. The occasion was marked by a thanksgiving service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, followed by a festive gathering in the Throne Hall of the Patriarchal Palace. Archimandrite Teofil Anăstăsoaie, the superior of the Romanian Settlements…
During the week of 18-24 November 2024, it snowed in many parts of the country, and white-clad landscapes were captured in expressive photo shots. 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…
During his sermon on Sunday at the Chapel of the National Cathedral, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia defined the path to perfection in Christ. His Grace joined the community at the chapel to mark the sixth anniversary of the consecration of the National Cathedral’s altar. Reflecting on the Sunday Gospel about the dialogue between…