The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, which is celebrating its sixteenth anniversary, consists of 478 pastoral-missionary units, 278 of which are parishes. These communities are served by 310 priests and 25 deacons, and 62 parishes own their places of worship. The establishment of the diocese was approved in the last synodal session presided over by…
Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia conveyed a heartfelt message on Wednesday for the International Day of Families, emphasizing that “no matter how small and modest it may be, the home should be the most precious place on Earth for a loving family member.” “It should be filled with love, peace, and understanding, so that wherever one…
The life of the Cypriot saint celebrated by Orthodox Christians on May 14 is almost unknown, yet his miraculous deeds far exceed the existing biographical records. Many of those who prayed with faith before his relics received healing from God for paralysis, cancer, bleeding, blindness, tuberculosis, and more. Saint Therapon is known as a great…
“Christian civilization, Europe, and the entire world are founded on the values of the Gospel of Christ, centred on the Resurrection. We could say that the entire grandeur of the Christian world, everything we admire in the culture of our faith-infused world, is due to the Paschal culture,” His Eminence Hon Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of…
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s momentous visit to Romania, a significant event in the history of both the Catholic and Orthodox communities. Held on May 7-9, 1999, this visit marked a Pope’s first visit to a predominantly Orthodox country, underscoring a pivotal moment of ecumenical dialogue and cooperation. During…
On the occasion of Europe Day, Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia delivered a compelling message supporting the Republic of Moldova’s European trajectory. His Eminence emphasized the importance of aligning Moldovan society with the evangelical principles of love, wisdom, and justice. Metropolitan Petru highlighted the efforts of the Metropolis to endorse the “European path,” describing it as…
Romania’s martyrs from communist prisons are annually remembered on a National Day marked on May 14. In remembrance of the thousands of young people, intellectuals, theologians, and citizens of various social classes who opposed the communist regime and were detained between the nights of May 14 and 15, 1948, this day was established. A considerable…
The Synod of the Metropolis of Oltenia held a session on Bright Tuesday, May 7, during which it proposed a new monastic saint for canonization. Meeting at Lainici Monastery in Gorj County, the hierarchs discussed the events dedicated to the canonization of Venerable Ioan, the first abbot of Hurezi Monastery, founded in 1690 by St.…
The proposed canonization of fifteen Romanian venerables and confessors is a significant event in the history of the Romanian Orthodox Church. This proclamation, set to take place next year, coincides with the Church’s centennial since its patriarchal status was recognized. The files are currently undergoing analysis and are awaiting approval by the Holy Synod of the Romanian…
We continue the monthly presentation of heavenly physicians while commemorating the Lord’s Resurrection. Ten saintly persons who exhibited humility while bearing their cross and triumphed over human frailties have been selected as saints to whom faithful turn for solace and healing when confronted with adversity. St Matrona the Blind – May 2 Saint Matrona was…
Orthodox Romanians and Serbs observed Holy Saturday night by traditionally proclaiming the Resurrection of the Lord in the heart of Vršac, where the administrative centres of the Diocese of Dacia Felix and the Diocese of Banat of the Serbian Patriarchate are situated. After offering the Holy Fire at the cathedral, Bishop Ieronim of Dacia Felix…
At the Resurrection Vigil on Holy Saturday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel addressed the thousands of believers on the Hill of the Patriarchate, highlighting three great truths related to the Resurrection of Christ. Three great truths about the Lord’s Resurrection “The first truth. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is not His return to the…
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed the Holy Fire from Jerusalem on Holy Saturday evening at the Patriarchal Cathedral. He explained that it is a gift from God: “Through this Holy Fire, we have the sign of the love of Christ, the Light of the World.” “The Holy Fire is a gift of God, which is…
On Good Friday, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia met with Her Excellency Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova. Metropolitan Petru discussed the objectives, pastoral duties, and social engagements of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Bessarabia. The metropolitan website reported that His Eminence emphasised the significance of peace and unity in society and…
“Orthodox spirituality does not recognize the utopianism of a Resurrection without Crucifixion, nor the pessimism of the Cross without the Resurrection,” noted His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in his patriarchal encyclical for Holy Pascha. Full text: Patriarchal Encyclical for Holy Pascha of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew †Bartholomew By God’s Mercy, Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical…
The Holy Fire has descended in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, at about PM. After the Fire’s descent, the Patriarch passed the holy gift to the faithful who lit from it their bundles of 33 candles, per the age of Christ at the time of His Crucifixion and Resurrection. The descent of…
Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem sent an Easter message on Wednesday proclaiming the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and calling for an end to all hostilities in the region – “primarily to Gaza, the entire Holy Land and the Middle East”. “Today, the Church of Christ proclaims the gospel of unspeakable joy to the…
“Let us show a merciful heart towards those in need. Let us raise a thought of prayer for our fellows whose lives are troubled by the war in Ukraine, in the Holy Land and other parts of the world,” Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina urged in his Easter encyclical. At the same time, His Eminence Metropolitan…
In his pastoral letter for Holy Pascha, His Grace Bishop Sebastian of Slatina and Romanati advised the faithful to reject partisanship in the context of the current wars and to pray for all parties involved: “Let us raise the Cross instead of the sword and seek peace, not war; that peace that the Lord gave…
Friday is World Press Freedom Day, marked annually on 3 May. It was established by the UN in 1993. The day’s purpose is to remind governments to live up to their promise to provide freedom of expression to the press and journalists. This year, the theme is environmental protection. This year’s theme is “A Press…