Coronavirus pandemic

Orthodox Church confirms €2.5 million so far in helping Romania overcome coronavirus crisis

In these days illuminated by the joy of Christ’s Resurrection, and by the pleasure of finding Orthodox Christians in communion and solidarity through the reliable support of people severely affected by the current pandemic, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel thanks the hierarchs, priests, deacons and believers of the Romanian Orthodox Church who responded to the call…

Apr 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

J.C. Larchet: The value of the Holy Communion does not depend on how it is offered to the faithful

In a recent interview, French theologian Jean-Claude Larchet, well-known to Romanians through his numerous books on illness and suffering, places the Covid-19 pandemic in historical context and discusses the challenges to religious practice which stemmed from it and spurred controversy among the Orthodox faithful. The extensive interview approaches hotly debated topics such as the issue…

Apr 21, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Patriarch Daniel at Easter Vigil: The crucified and risen Christ is the Healer and Liberator of humankind

Patriarch Daniel, April 19, 2020: ‘Christ’s Resurrection today is for us as always a source of light and peace, a source of joy, but also a source of spiritual power to fight the hardships of life, including to fight with the disease, the fear of death, and suffering, with everything that severely befalls us and…

Apr 20, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

We have the unique opportunity to do good and to consolidate parent-child relationships, Bessarabia Metropolitan says in Easter Message

In his pastoral letter on Holy Pascha 2020, the Metropolitan of Bessarabia urged Orthodox Christians to profess Christ’s Resurrection and to take advantage of the home isolation period to consolidate their family relationships, but also to do mercy, thus showing solidarity with those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. ‘It may be hard and uncomfortable for…

Apr 18, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Bucharest Archdiocese tailor shops make disposable coveralls for volunteers who help the vulnerable

Church-affiliated volunteers who help vulnerable persons during the coronavirus crisis will receive disposable coveralls made by the tailor shops of the Archdiocese of Bucharest. According to a statement by the Social-Philanthropic Department of the Romanian Patriarchate on Monday, the Archdiocese’s tailor workshop ‘Reverenda’ and the embroidery workshop ‘Altarul’ have already made 30 disposable gowns. They…

Apr 8, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Statement by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America Concerning Holy Week and Easter

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America (ACOB-USA) recommends further compliance with the sanitary norms for Covid-19 prevention during the following period, when Orthodox Christians celebrate Palm Sunday, the Holy Week and Easter. A recent declaration lists strong recommendations regarding religious services: they should be officiated only with a maximum…

Apr 7, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Clergy tour Bucharest with relics of Saint Demetrios the New to halt the coronavirus pandemic: Video

The holy relics of Saint Demetrios the New were taken out of the Patriarchal Cathedral and driven on the streets of Bucharest in a procession of cars on Sunday to halt the coronavirus pandemic. The restricted procession of three cars was led by the patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiesti. The holy relics and icon…

Apr 6, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania Religious Denominations urge prayer, solidarity and responsibility amid coronavirus pandemic

The Consultative Council of Religious Denominations in Romania has sent a message to society calling for compliance with the measures taken by the authorities and urging for intense prayer during the coronavirus pandemic. “Prayer is a source of spiritual power to overcome fear and disease. Cultivating the peace of the soul through persevering prayer protects…

Apr 6, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

In pictures: Relics of St Demetrios the New carried on the streets of Bucharest to stop Coronavirus pandemic

The Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești drove the holy relics of Saint Demetrios the New around the streets of Bucharest in a procession of cars on Sunday, as the country fights to halt the spread of the coronavirus. The cars made stops in front of two main hospitals where Covid-19 patients are treated. Photography…

Apr 5, 2020Raluca-Emanuela Ene

Covid-19 | Romanian Orthodox Church initiates dozens of support measures for hospitals and people (March 16-31)

During the state of emergency, the Romanian Orthodox Church has intensified its presence both online and in society respecting all the required sanitary precautions. Even before the state of emergency being declared in Romania, just as the authorities raised the level of alert regarding the coronavirus epidemic, the Church had started preparations to prevent a…

Apr 3, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Retired Bishop Daniil gives sermon to the very revered walls: Forgive us, who were and still are only “whitewashed walls”

Retired Bishop Daniil of Dacia Felix gave a notable sermon on Sunday addressing ‘the Very Reverend Walls, the Reverend Chant Stands and Chairs in our Orthodox churches.’ Speaking to the church objects and walls, the retired bishop Daniil Stoenescu said that illness and the inability to cross the threshold of churches these days are a…

Apr 2, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu