Orthodox news

Funeral service for Archbishop Pimen officiated at St John the New Monastery in Suceava: VIDEO & PHOTOS

A memorial Divine Liturgy and a funeral service were held last Friday for the Archbishop of Suceava and Radauti at St John the New Monastery. Archbishop Pimen of Suceava and Rădăuți reposed in the Lord on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at the Matei Balș Infectious Diseases Institute in Bucharest following a second heart attack. He was transported…

May 25, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Metropolitan of America on St Constantine’s calling: Could he have refused it?

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae Condrea of the Americas wrote a message for the feast of the Holy Emperors Constantine and Helen, focusing on St Constantine’s calling to grant freedom to humankind. His Eminence noted that through Saint Constantine the Great we received freedom in God, ‘spiritual liberty which was hidden, held captive in a world…

May 22, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

President Iohannis sends condolences after repose of Abp Pimen, appreciates Church’s role in tackling coronavirus pandemic

Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis sent an official letter of condolences to Patriarch Daniel to express his sorrow for the death of Archbishop Pimen of Suceava and Radauti. In his message, President Iohannis expressed his appreciation for the Romanian Orthodox Church’s role in tackling the new coronavirus pandemic. The following is the full text of the…

May 22, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Moldavia’s Bishops express condolences on death of Archbishop Pimen: A portrait of ascetic monk and sacrificial hierarch

The bishops of the Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina expressed ‘much sorrow’ over the death of the 90-year-old Archbishop Pimen, feeling confident that ‘we have gained an intercessor in heaven at the Throne of the Most Holy Trinity.’ ‘He was dedicated to the point of neglecting himself in the work of supporting the suffering and,…

May 20, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Pimen to be buried at Sihastria Putnei Monastery – Patriarchate’s spokesperson

The Romanian Patriarchate’s Spokesperson Vasile Banescu announced Wednesday that the burial of Archbishop Pimen will take place at Sihăstria Putnei Monastery, in Suceava. Archbishop Pimen of Suceava and Rădăuți, 90, reposed in the Lord on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at the Matei Balș Infectious Diseases Institute in Bucharest following a second heart attack. “The Romanian…

May 20, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

First Sunday after state of emergency: This is how the pavement of church courtyards bloomed across Romania (PHOTOS)

This Sunday was the first Sunday Liturgy celebrated in churches across Romania with the participation of the faithful. Priests and parishioners found themselves with emotion and joy after the end of the national state of emergency. Many parishes prepared their courtyards with specific marks to help keep the social distancing requirements, drawing colourful flowers on…

May 19, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

The Gospel invites us to know truth as reality and experience, says Bucharest assistant bishop

The assistant bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest presided over the Divine Liturgy at a baldachin next to the patriarchal cathedral on the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman. Joined by the faithful standing in marked spots to maintain social distancing guidelines, the liturgy on Sunday morning was the first hierarchal Divine Liturgy open to the…

May 18, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church’s guidelines for priests and faithful during state of alert

Considering that, from May 15, 2020, the state of emergency and the applicability of the Military Ordinances that limited essential aspects of the public religious life of the faithful cease, following consultation with the Romanian Government, the Romanian Patriarchate sends the following instructions to the cult units of the Romanian Orthodox Church regarding the access…

May 15, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: May 4 – 10 2020

While the state of emergency instated in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic was coming to end, it was announced that, once it expires, the faithful would be able to participate in open-air religious services, provided they meet certain requirements. Last week seemed to be a preparation for this joy. Please find below our selection…

May 15, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Participation of the faithful to open-air religious services allowed in Romania starting May 15

In a press statement on Tuesday, President Klaus Iohannis spoke about relaxing the pandemic rules once the state of emergency is over, on May 15, and said it will be possible to attend religious services in the open air, provided certain requirements are met. “Religious services with believers can be resumed in the first phase…

May 14, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Patriarch Daniel tells nurses they are ‘hands of God’s merciful love’

Patriarch Daniel issued a message for International Nurses Day referring to nurses as ‘the hands of God’s merciful love.’ His Beatitude praised the courage and dedication of all female and male nurses from Romania and abroad, ‘who combine the faith in God with love for their neighbour’ in their activity. ‘International Nurses Day, celebrated this…

May 14, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu