Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

First Romanian-built Orthodox church in Italy marks patronal feast in Moncalieri

The Romanian Orthodox Church in Moncalieri—the first church built by Romanians on Italian soil—celebrated its patronal feast with a series of liturgical events held on Sunday and Monday. Archimandrite Maxim Drăguț from the Episcopal Chapel “Exaltation of the Holy Cross” in Turin celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday together with Fr Marius Floricu, dean of…

Mar 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop urges faithful to follow example of Forty Martyrs at Bucharest monastery feast

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești on Monday urged believers to follow the example of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste while presiding at the patronal feast of Antim Monastery in Bucharest. “Looking with admiration at the example of the Forty Martyrs, let us follow their faith,” the bishop said during the Liturgy of the Presanctified…

Mar 10, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania honours anti-communist political prisoners in Bucharest memorial service

On Sunday, anti-communist political prisoners were commemorated at the “Wings” Monument in Piața Presei Libere (Free Press Square), Bucharest. The memorial event began with the singing of the national anthem and a memorial service officiated by Father Lucian Georgescu, dean of Sector 1 in Bucharest, alongside an assembly of Orthodox clergy. “On this day, the…

Mar 10, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate commemorates anti-communist political prisoners on March 9

March 9 marks both the feast day of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste and the National Day of Commemoration for Anti-Communist Political Prisoners from the period 1944–1989. On this day, we especially remember the Romanian freedom fighters who opposed the totalitarian communist regime, endured imprisonment in labour camps and prisons and bore witness to…

Mar 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Eulogy of sacrifice at St Anthimos Monastery: Martyrs of Burning Bush movement commemorated on the feast of Holy 40 Martyrs

Two holidays sharing the eulogy of self-sacrifice were marked on Thursday at St Anthimos Monastery in Bucharest: the feast of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste and the Anti-communist Political Prisoners’ Day. “How agreeable it was decided that this day, March 9, should be dedicated in our country to the memory of anti-communist political fighters…

Mar 10, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Cluj Metropolitan remembers anti-communist political prisoners at Gherla Memorial

On the feast of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, the day the former anti-communist political prisoners in Romania are commemorated, Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj prayed for their souls at the monastic settlement at Gherla Memorial. The memorial service for the anti-communist political prisoners was held on Cărămidăriei Hill, near the anonymous cemetery with common…

Mar 15, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste honoured at Bucharest Monastery: “Martyrdom means love and its perpetuation”

The Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste were honoured at Bucharest’s St Anthimos Monastery, where particles of their relics, donated by Patriarch Nicodemus of Jerusalem 139 years ago, are displayed for veneration. The festal Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts was celebrated by the monastery’s abbot Protosyncellus Vicențiu Oboroceanu. During his sermon, the abbot referred to the…

Mar 15, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu