religious news

Ecumenical Patriarch to attend consecration of Romania’s National Cathedral

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will attend the consecration of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s National Cathedral in Bucharest, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania announced at a meeting of the National Church Council at the patriarchal residence on Tuesday. Patriarch Bartholomew was invited personally by Patriarch Daniel during the Holy and Great Council that took…

Feb 14, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Grandpa Dobri has reposed in the Lord aged 103

The website of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church announced that Elder Dobri Dobrev, known around the world for his great love and sacrifice of charity to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and people, has reposed in the Lord. He was 103 years old. “We regret to report that Dobri Dimitrov Dobrev (Grandpa Dobri), loved by all, reposed in the…

Feb 14, 2018Sorin Ioniţe

In pictures: New Metropolitan of Symi ordained at the Ecumenical Patriarchate

His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew celebrated Sunday the Divine Liturgy at the St George Cathedral in the Phanar, during which Metropolitan-elect Chrysostom of Symi was ordained to the episcopate. During its February 7 working session, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected the Very Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Pitsis, Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of…

Feb 13, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Video: Fr Makarios of Simonopetra launches new book on ‘Mystagogy of Great Lent’ in Paris

Hieromonk Makarios of Simonopetra launched Saturday his latest volume entitled Mystagogie du Grand Carême. Essai de théologie du temps liturgique (Mystagogy of Great Lent. A theological essay on liturgical time). Attending the event was His Eminence Iosif, Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of Western and Southern Europe. The book launch was held at the Holy Archangels Cathedral…

Feb 13, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Greek Archbishop of America receives the highest distinction in the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, the gold medal of St. Barnabas

Visiting Nicosia, at the invitation of His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos, Archbishop Demetrios of America received on Sunday the highest distinction in the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, the gold medal of St. Barnabas, in a ceremony that took place at the headquarters of the Cypriot archbishopric. The distinction offered in the presence of the President of…

Feb 13, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Colosseum to be lit red for persecuted Christians

The Roman Colosseum will be illuminated by red lights later this month to draw attention to the persecution of Christians around the world, and especially in Syria and Iraq. On Saturday, Feb. 24, at 6 p.m. the Colosseum will be spotlighted in red, to represent the blood of Christians who have been wounded or lost…

Feb 8, 2018Sorin Ioniţe

Hierarchs of the Metropolis of Muntenia and Dobrudja propose Saint Matrona to be added to the ROC calendar

The Synod (assembly of bishops) of the Metropolis of Muntenia and Dobrudja met Tuesday at the patriarchal residence in Bucharest under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. During the February 6 meeting, the hierarchs agreed on proposing Saint Matrona of Moscow to be added to the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The procedure…

Feb 7, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Kirill to visit Bulgaria in March – The 140th anniversary of the liberation

Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Cyril will visit Bulgaria in early March. This is what the spokesman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zaharova said. “The visit of the patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill is planned for the 140th anniversary of the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman yoke as a result of the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation (1877-1878). The program…

Feb 7, 2018Sorin Ioniţe

January 2018 Basilica.ro Review available for download

We released this year’s first issue of the Basilica.ro monthly review. The January 2018 edition is now available in colour pdf format for downloading and local distribution. Each monthly edition will feature select articles that had been published on the Basilica News Agency website during the previous month. Feel free to download, read and distribute the Good to Know.

Feb 6, 2018Sorin Ioniţe

Patriarch, President lay Romanian Principalities’ Union 159th Anniversary Wreath at statue of Ruler Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza

His Beatitude Romanian Patriarch Daniel Wednesday marked the 159th anniversary of the Union of the Romanian Principalities by officiating a Te Deum service at the Patriarchal Cathedral during which the founders of the Union were commemorated. The service was attended by His Excellency the President of Romania Mr. Klaus Werner Iohannis. #EdițieSpecială dedicată Unirii Principatelor…

Jan 24, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Novak Djokovic: “Before I am an athlete, I am an Orthodox Christian”

If we had to make a list of top athletes whose generosity is beyond question, then Novak Djokovic’s name would certainly be on it. Taken off the tennis courts for six months because of persistent elbow pain, Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic made his return to the ATP circuit on Tuesday, facing off against American…

Jan 23, 2018Sorin Ioniţe