Commemorative Year 2026

Digital Matericon: Women Saints of June

As part of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the Calendar, Basilica.ro continues its Digital Matericon series, a monthly project dedicated to presenting the lives and spiritual legacy of women saints venerated throughout the Christian world. The June edition brings together a diverse assembly of holy women—from martyrs of the early…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Pasărea Monastery to host local canonisation of two Romanian nuns

The local proclamation of the canonisation of St Philothea of Pasărea and St Elizabeth of Pasărea will take place on 5 June 2026. To mark the occasion, an extensive liturgical programme will be held at Pasărea Monastery on 4–5 June 2026, as follows: Thursday, 4 June 2026 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Vigil service…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Damaschin of Dorna: Church music finds its true purpose in worship

Assistant Bishop Damaschin of Dorna officiated Vespers on Monday at the Church of the Presentation of the Lord (“Vovidenia”) in Botoșani, where he reflected on the role of church music. The liturgical service formed part of the programme of the Iași International Byzantine Music Festival. The bishop highlighted the authentic meaning of church music and…

May 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Western & Southern Europe Metropolis Pentecost Message: Modern man risks losing true communion

In their Pentecost pastoral letter addressed to Romanians in Western and Southern Europe, the hierarchs of the Metropolis warn that “amid the ceaseless noise of the modern world, man risks losing precisely what matters most: true communion.” Drawing on the words of Scripture, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4), the…

May 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

First church in Bessarabia dedicated to Saint Blandina of Iași consecrated in Cimișlia

The first church in Bessarabia dedicated to Saint Blandina of Iași was consecrated on Sunday in Cimișlia, the Republic of Moldova. The church is also placed under the protection of Saint Nicholas and Saint Eudokia. The consecration service and Divine Liturgy were celebrated by Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia together with Archbishop Casian of the Lower…

May 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel urges stronger pastoral support for Christian families

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church on Monday called for renewed pastoral support for the Christian family, warning that contemporary society faces profound spiritual, demographic, and moral crises that threaten family life and the transmission of faith between generations. The Patriarch delivered the message at the opening of the spring pastoral and…

May 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian women in history: Dr. Ana Aslan, founder of geriatrics and pioneer of anti-ageing medicine

Wednesday, May 20, marked 38 years since the repose of Dr Ana Aslan, founder of gerontology and geriatrics, medical fields dedicated to treating the effects of ageing. She established in Bucharest the world’s first institute devoted to this speciality and treated some of the most prominent names in global politics and show business. Ana Aslan…

May 25, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolis of Bessarabia proclaims local canonisation of Saint Blandina of Iași

The Metropolis of Bessarabia held the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Blandina the Confessor of Iași at the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Chișinău on Saturday. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia together with Archbishop Casian of the Lower Danube, Bishops Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia,…

May 25, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Relics of Saint Olympias, mother of St Petronius the Prodromite, uncovered in Romania

The relics of Saint Olympias of Fărcașa, mother of Saint Petronius of Prodromos Skete on Mount Athos, were uncovered on Monday in Fărcașa, Neamț County, Romania. The event took place in the presence of His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe, His Grace Assistant Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani from the Archdiocese of Iași, Archimandrite Petroniu…

May 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church locally proclaims canonisation of Saint Blandina of Iași

The local proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Blandina the Confessor took place on Sunday at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iași. The solemn event was held at the end of the Divine Liturgy celebrated by an assembly of seven hierarchs led by Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina. The Synodal Tomos proclaiming the canonisation was…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Local proclamation of Saint Blandina’s canonisation to take place in Iași this Sunday

The local proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Blandina will take place on Sunday at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iași, the Press Office of the Archdiocese of Iași announced. The liturgical programme will begin on the eve of the solemn event, at 4:00 p.m., with the vigil service in honour of the saint. The local…

May 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu