“We are delighted by the approval of the canonization of all sixteen saints, but we especially welcome with great devotion, gratitude, and spiritual joy this decision to approve the canonization of the two fathers from Sihăstria Monastery, Venerable Paisie Olaru and Venerable Cleopa Ilie,” Archimandrite Arsenie Popa, abbot of Sihăstria Monastery, told Basilica.ro. “The pilgrims…
On Sunday, His Grace Bishop Ignatie of Huși officiated the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Sibiu. During his sermon, the bishop explained the Gospel passage from Matthew 6:22-34, emphasizing the simple way people should relate to everything around them. Simplicity Bishop Ignatie stressed that Christ’s call for simplicity reminds us of a virtue…
His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, the secretary of the Holy Synod, received Her Excellency Mrs Enkeleda Merkuri, the new Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Bucharest, on a courtesy visit at the Patriarchal Palace on Wednesday, July 17. His Grace Bishop Varlaam welcomed Her Excellency to the Romanian Patriarchate and highlighted…
The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church issued an anniversary act on the 250th anniversary of the translation of Saint Demetrius the New’s relics to Bucharest. The document, written on parchment and signed by all the members of the Holy Synod, was read by the Patriarch of Romania last Saturday at the end of…
Speaking about the recent canonizations by the Romanian Church, Bishop Justin of Maramureș and Sătmar said that only clerics have been canonized so far, but other categories of people will follow. “Many are saints. We cannot include them all in the calendar,” said the bishop. “Those included in the calendar are at the forefront of…
The Holy Martyrs of Dorostolum were honoured on Sunday at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Silistra, Bulgaria. The assembly of bishops included Archbishop Teodosie of Tomis, Bishop Visarion of Tulcea, and Bishop Ieronim of Dacia Felix on behalf of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Jacob of Dorostol.…
The news of the canonization of the illustrious theologian and confessor priest Dumitru Stăniloae brought joy among Romanian theologians. Basilica.ro took the pulse of theology faculties in the country where Saint Dumitru Stăniloae taught: Bucharest and Sibiu. Bucharest “We have awaited with joy and hope the moment of the canonization of the most illustrious and…
On Sunday, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia underscored the increasingly prevalent lifestyle that appears successful but conceals genuine crises, interior emptiness, and a lack of meaning during his sermon at the Chapel of the National Cathedral, alluding to the Gospel reading from Matthew. Bishop Paisie noted that Christ insists three times in the mentioned…
Attending the 250th anniversary of the Translation of Saint Demetrius the New’s relics to Bucharest, Metropolitan Naum of Ruse spoke from the outdoor altar of the Patriarchal Cathedral about the essential need for unity and joint testimony in these troubled times. His Eminence Metropolitan Naum conveyed, personally and on behalf of the new Patriarch Daniil…
On Friday evening, July 12, after the all-night vigil and procession with the relics of Saint Demetrius the New, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel delivered a welcome message to Metropolitan Naum of Ruse. “Joining us now, this evening, and tomorrow during the Divine Liturgy, which will begin at 8:30 AM, is His Eminence Metropolitan Naum of…
The relics of St. Demetrius the New, Protector of Bucharest, were carried in an impressive procession on the streets of Bucharest on Friday evening, on the eve of the first celebration of the Feast of the Translation of the Relics of St. Demetrius the New to Romania’s capital city. This feast was recently introduced into…
The Romanian Orthodox Church has canonized sixteen new saints during the synodal sessions held on July 11-12. Among these, Venerable Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery stands out as the first Orthodox saint to have lived in the 21st century. Saint Sofian Boghiu Saint Sofian (Serghei Boghiu) was born on October 7, 1912, in Cuconeștii Vechi,…
Saturday, July 13, marks the 250th anniversary of the translation of Saint Demetrius the New’s relics to Bucharest. How Saint Demetrius’ relics arrived in Bucharest The historical context in which the venerated relics arrived in Romania’s capital was during the Russo-Turkish War (1768-1774). Battles were fought on Romanian soil and south of the Danube. When…
On July 11-12, The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held its working sessions at Patriarch Teoctist Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The main new decisions of the Holy Synod are as follows: a) Approval of the canonization of 16 Romanian saints, with some liturgical…
In the month of July, the Orthodox calendar features numerous healing saints, among whom Saint Panteleimon and Saints Cosmas and Damian stand out as some of the most renowned unmercenary physicians. This is the most extensive selection yet in the series of articles on holy healers, aligning with the themes of the 2024 Commemorative and…
On July 6, the Orthodox Diocese of Vad, Feleac, and Cluj in central Romania and the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of Württemberg, Germany, celebrated thirty years of partnership. The anniversary was marked by a retrospective session held at the diocesan centre in Cluj-Napoca, attended by representatives from both institutions. The joint projects of the past 30…
Young people often postpone their weddings due to financial constraints. In this context, a priest from Botoșani in northern Romania has announced that his parish will assist young couples in organizing their weddings without significant economic burden. “The Pacea Church in Botoșani offers free help to future brides and grooms who wish to start a…
“Romanian Saints’ Sunday is not a day of national pride to show that we are better than other Christian nations, but rather a day of holy joy to show what unites us with other nations, with whom we are called to bear witness to the glory of Christ’s Church,” emphasised His Grace Bishop Teofil of…
On Saturday, Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia received Prof. Dr. Emil Constantinescu, former President of Romania, at the metropolitan residence in Chișinău. The meeting’s agenda was rich and diverse, covering a wide range of topics from Romanian history and culture to the challenges and prospects of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Bessarabia. During the meeting, His…
Saturday, July 13, 2024, marks the 250th anniversary of the translation of the relics of Saint Demetrius the New to Bucharest (July 13, 1774 – July 13, 2024). To mark this significant anniversary, a series of liturgical events will take place from July 10-14, 2024, according to the following schedule: Wednesday, July 10, 2024 4:00…