“We are all called to weave a crown of good deeds, following the example of the Mother of God and the saints, by helping our brothers and sisters who are suffering at home and in hospitals, orphans and widows, the elderly burdened by loneliness, need, and frailty, and large families, combining good deeds with prayer,”…
The monumental ensemble “Heroes’ Way” by sculptor Constantin Brâncuși was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on Saturday. The ensemble consists of the works “The Table of Silence,” “The Alley of Chairs,” “The Gate of the Kiss,” and “The Endless Column,” created by Constantin Brâncuși between 1935 and 1938. The National League of Women…
A study published this month shows that the number of conversions to Orthodoxy increased in the U.S. from 2022 to 2023. Most converts are aged 30-39 and are unmarried, with the majority coming to Orthodoxy from Protestantism, the research indicates. The study, conducted by the Orthodox Studies Institute at St. Constantine College in Houston, covered…
On Monday morning, Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova officiated the exhumation service of the holy relics of Saint Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery at Căldărușani Monastery near Bucharest. The venerable relics were placed in the cemetery church for a specific service before being transported to St Anthimos Monastery. “A specific rite was observed for such…
On Monday, Bishop Timotei of Prahova, the Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, conducted a special service to exhume Saint Dumitru Stăniloae’s relics from the cemetery of Cernica Monastery. The bishop spoke about the desire of Saint Dumitru Stăniloae and other hierarchs and theology professors to “listen to the liturgy beneath the earth in…
Răzvan Mihai Clipici, the head of the Culture subdepartment of the Culture, Painting and Restoration Sector of the Patriarchal Administration, published an article with historical data about the priests Ilarion Felea, Ilie Lăcătusu, and Dumitru Stăniloae in response to various accusations that appeared in the public space after their canonization. Full text: Priests Ilarion Felea,…
Romania’s former Patriarch Teoctist Arapasu reposed in the Lord 17 years ago, on July 30, 2007. Patriarch Teoctist was born on February 7, 1915, in Tocileni, Botoșani county. He was named Teodor, being the tenth child of Dumitru and Marghioala Arăpașu. He went to Vorona Monastery as a novice in 1928 and continued to Neamț…
While attending the patronal feast of St Paraskevi Church in Constantinople last Friday, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his love for the Romanian community under His Holiness’s jurisdiction, as well as for the entire Romanian Orthodox Church. Additionally, the Patriarch of Constantinople announced that he was eagerly anticipating the events in Bucharest dedicated to the Centennial…
To mark the 2024 Solemn Year of pastoral care of the sick, Basilica.ro has compiled a selection of 25 quotes about suffering and healing from His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. 1. “God desires to heal the whole of a person’s being; receiving His teaching is itself a condition for healing. From the Holy Scriptures, we clearly…
“More and more Orthodox Christians in Germany” headlines Deutsche Welle, presenting a comprehensive overview of the phenomenon, the ethnic communities from which Orthodox Christians originate, and the opportunities they bring. The media often discuss the decline in membership of the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches. Still, it is rarely mentioned that the number of Orthodox…
His Eminence Metropolitan Petru congratulated His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on his 73rd birthday, expressing gratitude for his paternal care and love for the faithful in Bessarabia. “We thank you from the depths of our hearts for the boundless love and paternal care you continuously show towards the clergy and faithful in Bessarabia, whom you have…
Romania’s cultural heritage includes over 1,400 wooden churches constructed before 1918, according to a report by PressOne, supported by the National Historic Cultural Tourism Program “Attractive Romania.” These wooden churches are almost evenly distributed throughout the country, although the figures might suggest otherwise: 650 in Transylvania, Banat, Crișana, and Maramureș ~500 in Muntenia, Oltenia, and…
A delegation of the Romanian Orthodox Church met with representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church during an official visit aiming to establish a framework to support Armenian refugees from the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The meetings are taking place in the context of a fundraiser organized by the Romanian Patriarchate in 2024 to aid Armenian refugees. The…
The Romanian Orthodox community in Tokyo was the subject of a feature article by the Japanese publication Shueisha Shinsho. The article particularly highlighted the ecclesiastical community’s life and its members’ strong national identity. The interviews and photos were made on Easter night in a quiet residential area in Fujimidai, Kunitachi city, Tokyo, where reporter Yasuda…
Saint Paisios of Mount Athos would have turned 100 today. The venerable monk was born on July 25, 1924, in Pharasa, Cappadocia (present-day Turkey). He was given the name Arsenios at his baptism. At the age of 20, he enlisted in the army, serving as a radio operator during the Greek Civil War. He entered…
On Friday, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople will participate in the patronal feast of the Romanian parish in Constantinople, celebrating Saint Paraskevi of Rome. “At 9:00 AM, the Matins Service will begin, followed by the Divine Liturgy. His Holiness Bartholomew I, the Ecumenical Patriarch, will be present at this moment of profound Christian experience,” announced…
In the serene mountain setting of Sambata de Sus Monastery, near Sibiu, Romania, a significant ecumenical and inter-monastic gathering took place from July 3 to 9. Organized by the Orthodox Archdiocese of Sibiu, the event brought together young disciples from various nations and representatives of monastic communities from across Europe. The theme “Blessed are the…
In a statement for Basilica.ro, Father Cristinel Ioja, the Dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Arad, welcomed the canonization of the martyr priest Ilarion Felea, which he described as “excellent news, a source of joy and fulfilment.” Arad’s theological higher education institution bears the name of the confessor priest Ilarion Felea and has…
Mr. Soltész Miklós, Hungary’s Secretary of State for Churches, Minorities, and Civil Affairs, was received by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești at the Patriarchal Palace on July 19. After visiting the Patriarchal Cathedral and Palace, the Hungarian delegation was welcomed at Saint Nicetas of Remesiana Salon at the Patriarchal Palace, where discussions were held…
Numerous state authorities congratulated His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on his 73rd birthday on Monday at the Patriarchal Palace. His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, secretary of the Holy Synod, moderated the anniversary event, which was organized at the “Europa Christiana” Hall of the Patriarchal Palace. The state authorities that delivered congratulatory messages included…