coronavirus

Roman & Bacau Archbishop donates his March 2020 salary to help combat coronavirus

Celebrating his 66th birthday on Sunday, the Archbishop of Roman and Bacau announced that he will donate his March 2020 salary to the hospitals in Bacau County to help alleviate the array of adverse effects stemming from the coronavirus epidemic. Archbishop Ioachim urged the clergy to join forces with the Archdiocese to show solidarity as…

Mar 31, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Benedict of Bistrita urges faithful to bear the pain of not going to church services with humility, without despair

The assistant bishop of the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj has called on the faithful who cannot attend church services due to the restrictions adopted to fight against the new coronavirus epidemic to accept the measures ‘with a spirit of repentance,’ without giving in to resentment. The Assistant Bishop Benedict of Bistrița posted a…

Mar 31, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

US Assembly of Bishops launches Covid-19 Resource Centre for Orthodox Christians

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA announces a resource center for clergy and faithful during the Covid-19 pandemic.  The Resource Center includes updated news from the various jurisdictions as well as practical guidelines and resources for families, ministry leaders, parish leadership, and everyone. The Center can be accessed here and will be updated…

Mar 31, 2020Iulian Dumitraşcu

Romanian Patriarch donates 2000+ Euro for acquisition of coronavirus protective equipment

Patriarch Daniel on Monday gave over 2,000 Euro from his salary to buy protection equipment for the volunteers involved in the Patriarchate’s social campaign ‘Help with joy’ geared to helping isolated patients all over Romania. The money will provide volunteers with the necessary equipment to support vulnerable people in their area. An online platform was…

Mar 31, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Wonderworking Icon of Theotokos carried through the streets of Craiova to ward off coronavirus

After the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of Annunciation, Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia led a procession through the streets of Craiova carrying a wonderworking icon of the Mother of God known as Madonna Dudu and the relics of Saint Nephon of Constantinople to help fight the coronavirus outbreak. ‘In these difficult moments of trial, our…

Mar 31, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ignatie believes sharing fake news on coronavirus creates panic and exploits people’s fears

His Grace Bishop Ignatie thinks that fake news is a ‘true plague’ in times of crisis because by sharing false information, people’s fears are exploited. Fake news ‘do nothing but create panic. (…) We become even more panicked, more stressed and anxious about what is being conveyed.’ The Bishop of Husi warned that ‘if we…

Mar 31, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel urges believers to intensify fasting efforts: Turn physical hunger and thirst into hunger and thirst for God

In words following the proclamation of the Gospel reading on Sunday, Patriarch Daniel highlighted the need to intensify the fasting efforts during Lent, noting that this law established in paradise reflects a hunger and thirst for God. ‘To intensify our fasting efforts means to turn our physical hunger and thirst into hunger and thirst for…

Mar 29, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Târgoviște Archdiocese donates vital sign measuring device to county hospital

The Orthodox Archdiocese of Târgoviște Thursday announced that it has purchased a vital sign measuring device that will be donated to the County Emergency Hospital. Fukuda Denshi’s latest patient monitor DS-8100N cost about 4,343 Euros and will serve the coronavirus patients in Targoviste. The archdiocese’s statement notes that the action “contributes to the national and…

Mar 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Matei Balș” thanks Romanian Patriarchate for its material and spiritual support

Romania’s National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr Matei Balș” thanked all those who have shown their willingness to support the institute with donations in money, food, sanitary materials and protective equipment amid Covid-19 outbreak. ‘Thanks to the Romanian Patriarchate for the material and spiritual support,’ the Matei Balș Institute of Infectious Diseases in Bucharest…

Mar 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel urges believers to look after mental health amid coronavirus outbreak. Mother of God is of great help

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel Wednesday celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the St George chapel of his patriarchal residence in Bucharest to mark the feast of the Annunciation. During his sermon, the Patriarch referred to the Akathist Hymn to the Most Holy Theotokos and the special prayer placed at the end of the Akathist Hymn. “This…

Mar 25, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: March 16 – 22, 2020

As the coronavirus pandemic brings the global lifestyle to a change, the Orthodox Church reorganized its worship in compliance with the recommendations of the authorities. Here is our selection of photos from the Orthodox world taken between March 16 and 22, 2020. Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaNews Follow us on Instagram: @basilica.ro We would gladly include one…

Mar 25, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu