Cernica Monastery

140 years since the birth of Father John the Stranger, a key figure in the Burning Bush hesychast movement

One hundred forty years have passed since the birth of Father John the Stranger, a priest who introduced the Jesus Prayer to the Bucharest-based Burning Bush hesychast movement, as he had learned it from the elders of Optina Monastery. “John the Stranger” is the name by which Father Ioann Kulygin, born on February 24, 1885,…

Feb 24, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint George of Cernica’s feast day: This celebration matters only if we leave determined to purify our souls

On Tuesday, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Cernica Monastery in honour of Saint George, the monastery’s founder. The Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop emphasized that the significance of this feast lies in the commitment to spiritual cleansing. “The celebration here is meaningful and fulfils its purpose only if we…

Dec 5, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

The Glory of Christ: A reflection by Patriarch Daniel at Cernica Monastery

On Tuesday, Patriarch Daniel participated in the historic patronal feast of Cernica Monastery. There, he spoke to the faithful about Christ’s glory, the reasons it was revealed on Mount Tabor, and the event’s significance. At the end of the service, the Patriarch of Romania was congratulated on the 37th anniversary of his monastic tonsure. The…

Aug 7, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova conducts exhumation of Saint Dumitru Stăniloae’s relics

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…

Jul 31, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Ephrem of Tripoli prayerfully remember Romanian theologians Dumitru Staniloae and Andrei Scrima at Cernica Monastery

On Thursday, Antiochian Metropolitan Ephrem of Tripoli, Al-Koura, and Dependencies commemorated Fathers Dumitru Stăniloae and Andrei Scrima at Cernica Monastery. The memorial service was attended by His Grace Bishop Qais Sadiq, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop of the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, who cares for the Arab community in Bucharest, Rev. Professor Porphyrios Georgi…

May 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru prays for peace at tomb of Bassarabia’s first metropolitan

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia went to Cernica Monastery’s cemetery last Friday to pray and recollect at the tomb of one of his predecessors, Metropolitan Gurie Grosu, the first Metropolitan of Bessarabia after 100 years of Russian occupation. Metropolitan Petru officiated a memorial service for the rest of the soul of Metropolitan Gurie of…

Oct 3, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Fr Dumitru Stăniloae remembered at his tomb: He said you can meet God in the reality of your life

At Cernica Monastery, a memorial service for Father Dumitru Stăniloae was held on Wednesday, marking 29 years after his blessed repose. Fr. Gheorghe Holbea, a professor at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest, presided over the memorial service with a number of hieromonks at the Monastery’s Church of St. Nicholas. Additionally, attendees prayed at…

Oct 7, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania celebrates 35th anniversary of his monastic tonsure at Cernica Monastery

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel attended the patronal feast of Cernica Monastery on Saturday, August 6. The monastic community congratulated the Patriarch of Romania on the 35th anniversary of his monastic tonsure. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel attended the Divine Liturgy celebrated by an assembly of priests, including Archimandrite Nectarie Șofelea, Exarch of the monasteries of the…

Aug 10, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Cernica Monastery has the best organized cemetery in the Archdiocese of Bucharest

Cernica Monastery has the best organized cemetery in the Archdiocese of Bucharest. The cemetery won the First Prize at the Diocesan Contest “The Well-Organized Cemetery”, initiated and blessed by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The cemeteries of Bucharest’s parishes of St George – Grivița and Saint Elijah – Ghencea ranked second. Roșu Parish in Ilfov County…

Oct 21, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel prayerfully remembers Fr. Dumitru Staniloae on the 28th anniversary of his repose

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel visited the cemetery of Cernica Monastery on Tuesday to officiate a memorial service at the tomb of one of his mentors, Father Dumitru Staniloae, marking the 28th anniversary of the repose of the great theologian proposed for canonization. The Romanian Patriarch also visited the graves of three Primate Metropolitans of the…

Oct 6, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Queen Mother Helen of Romania commemorated at Cernica Monastery on her 125th birth anniversary

Bright Monday marked the 125th birth anniversary of Queen Mother Helen, the grandmother of Her Majesty Crown Princess Margareta. On this occasion, the Custodian of the Romanian Crown and His Royal Highness Prince Radu attended a memorial service officiated at Cernica Monastery. The memorial service was officiated by the monastery’s abbot, Protosyncellys Vasile Pîrjol. Chanting…

May 5, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu