Orthodox news

The Holy Fire is a gift from the Orthodox Church to the world: Patriarch of Jerusalem

In an interview granted to L’Osservatore Romano, His Beatitude Theophilos III of Jerusalem spoke of “The Light that enlightens everyone”: the Holy Fire which emerges from the Holy Sepulchre at the Orthodox Easter time. It is a gift of the Orthodox Church to the whole world, said the Patriarch of Jerusalem. “The ceremony of the…

May 14, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Bust of Romanian priest martyred on Pascha unveiled in Albania

A bust of Fr. Haralambie Balamace was unveiled in Korçë, Albania, on Monday, commemorating his martyrdom on Pascha night in 1914. The bronze statue was erected in the local Youth Park. The opening ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of Romania to Albania and representatives of the Aromanians in the area. Fr. Haralambie was killed…

May 13, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Romanian monasteries proposed for UNESCO World Heritage List

An event was held on Tuesday dedicated to the cultural-monastic landscape of Vânători-Neamț and the proposal to include the monasteries in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Vânători-Neamț is a commune in Neamț County, Western Moldavia, Romania. The area includes 6 large monasteries, including the famous Neamț Monastery, and 10 dependent hermitages, with about 1,000 monastics.…

May 13, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

The (Bright) Week in Pictures: May 2–9, 2021

The Orthodox world was illumined by the Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord, celebrated in the presence of the faithful this year. Please find below how the photographers saw Bright Week (May 2–9, 2021) through the lens. Last week’s most-liked Instagram post:   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Basilica…

May 12, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Mt. Athos reopens to pilgrims

After several months of lockdown restrictions, Mt. Athos is finally open to pilgrims again, starting Tuesday, May 11, 2021. The decision to reopen the Holy Mountain was made by the Sacred Community—the governing body of Mt. Athos, consisting of one representative from each of the 20 ruling monasteries. The number of pilgrims allowed on the…

May 11, 2021Iulian Dumitraşcu

Queen Mother Helen of Romania was born 125 years ago. King Michael: “She was strong through prayer“

May 3 marked this year the commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the birth of Queen Mother Helen of Romania. Her soul and character profoundly marked the lives of her son, King Michael of Romania, and his daughters. She was the only Queen in Europe who was awarded the title of “Righteous among the Nations”…

May 4, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Christ’s message to women: Don’t be afraid to bring children into the world. Fill the Heaven with saints | HG Iustin

Bishop Iustin of Maramureș and Sătmar celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the “Dormition of the Mother of God” Cathedral in Satu Mare on the second Easter day. In his homily, he offered an original interpretation of our Saviour’s message to the myrrh-bearing women: “Rejoice!” and “Be not afraid”. The hierarch said these invitations also apply…

May 4, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

HG Ioan Casian: Romanian faithful should confess their faith as the patron saints of the Romanian diaspora did

In his Easter Pastoral Letter, Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada called upon the faithful to follow in the footsteps of the patron saints of the Romanian diaspora, taking them as their models. “Let us also become steadfast confessors of the Orthodox faith, outstanding representatives of our traditional Christian values proven by time and experience, and…

May 4, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

The Week in Pictures: April 26 – May 2, 2021

Please find below our Week in Pictures selection with photos from the Holy Week and the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord. Last week’s most-liked Instagram post:   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Basilica News Agency (@basilica.ro) Do you want to be featured in our weekly selection of photos?…

May 4, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Easter 2021: How many countries sent planes to Jerusalem for the Holy Fire?

There were 11 countries sending planes to Jerusalem for the Holy Fire, most of them with a Christian Orthodox majority population. They flew back home with the Holy Fire on Holy Saturday. Although Ben Gurion Airport is still closed due to COVID restrictions, Israel allowed several countries to send delegations to receive the Holy Fire…

May 2, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

The Patriarch received the Holy Fire: Christ is the Joyful light, Who shows His love to those who look for Him

The Holy Fire reached the Patriarchate Hill on Saturday, at 19:30 and it was handed to Patriarch Daniel. His Beatitude said the Holy Fire is the Joyful light from one of the oldest hymns of the Church. “Christ the Lord is the Joyful Light,” he said. “God, Who is Himself inaccessible light, made Himself Joyful…

May 1, 2021Ștefana Totorcea