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. For example, the Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple will be celebrated on December 4, and St. Nicholas on December 19. These communities celebrate old-style Christmas on January 7.
Romanian historical communities beyond the borders fall into two main categories: those from territories that were once part of Romania (Bessarabia, Budjak, and Chernivtsi) — now in the Republic of Moldova (approx. 2.7 million Romanians) and Ukraine — and those from regions that were never part of Greater Romania (Transcarpathia in Ukraine, as well as the Timok Valley and Vojvodina in Serbia).
Many Romanian communities in Bessarabia have returned to their historical roots by joining the Romanian Orthodox Church’s Metropolis of Bessarabia. However, others belong to a structure created during Soviet rule and under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate.
The exact number of Romanians in Serbia’s Timok Valley remains unclear. These communities are part of the Ripensis Deanery under the Diocese of Dacia Felix (Romanian Patriarchate), including Romanians in Vojvodina and Belgrade.
In contrast, the historic Romanian community in Hungary observes the revised calendar under the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Hungary.
Photo: Basilica.ro Files / Raluca Ene
