Romanian Orthodox Church

Romanian Patriarchate reaches agreement with Ministry of Internal Affairs for distribution of consecrated Easter bread and Holy Fire to believers

The Romanian Orthodox Church Wednesday reached an agreement with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to allow church volunteers to distribute consecrated bread (Paști) and Holy Fire to believers on Easter night. The first form of the agreement signed on Tuesday was later amended by the two parts as epidemiologists expect the coronavirus pandemic to reach…

Apr 16, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s Easter Encyclical: Love has conquered death

In this year’s pastoral encyclical for Holy Pascha, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel highlights the mystery of Christ’s Resurrection noting that the faith in the resurrection ‘helps us not to lose our hope in the face of life’s hardships.’ ‘Let us ask more insistently for the help of the crucified and risen Christ, Who knows our…

Apr 14, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Parliament establishes national day celebrating Romanian village

Romania’s Parliament established a new national day celebrating the Romanian village. As provided by law 44/2020, the day, which was declared on April 3, sets aside the last Sunday of September as the Romanian Village Day. The law provides that the Day of the Romanian Village can be organized by the authorities of the central…

Apr 13, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel spreads message of hope on Palm Sunday: Christ will help us overcome the pandemic

Patriarch Daniel delivered a message of hope to a society living under the fear of the coronavirus pandemic, as he commemorated the glorious Entry into Jerusalem of Jesus Christ at the Divine Liturgy in the historical chapel of his patriarchal residence on April 12. The Patriarch of Romania noted that many people who stay at…

Apr 12, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church top 9 pastoral care programmes for Roma people

It is estimated that approximately 621 thousand people of Roma origin live in Romania, most of whom are Orthodox Christians. The Romanian Orthodox Church has always paid attention to the mission among Roma people by intensifying its catechetical work, supporting education, and developing social assistance. Here is a list of the top nine pastoral care…

Apr 8, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Use deserted city and isolation for spiritual profit, Patriarch Daniel urges

‘We are called to prayer, humility and repentance to transform ourselves, to change the way we think, speak and are, the way we act, live and work,’ Patriarch Daniel said during his homily on the fifth Sunday of Lent. Speaking from the St George chapel of his patriarchal residence, the Patriarch of Romania referred to…

Apr 6, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru calls for prayer for founders of Bessarabia’s Union with Romania

The Metropolitan of Bessarabia urged ‘all those who feel Romanian to intensify their prayers’ and remember the founders of the historical event of March 27, 1918, when the region united with the Kingdom of Romania. In his message marking the 102nd anniversary of the Union of Bessarabia with Romania, Metropolitan Petru recalled the important role…

Apr 2, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: March 23 – 29, 2020

Although believers don’t have access to divine services, clergy still offer prayers and hope that things will soon come back to normal. Here is our selection of pictures taken last week throughout the Orthodox world during coronavirus outbreak.  Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaNews Follow us on Instagram: @basilica.ro We would gladly include one of your…

Apr 2, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Wonderworking Icon of Theotokos carried through the streets of Craiova to ward off coronavirus

After the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of Annunciation, Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia led a procession through the streets of Craiova carrying a wonderworking icon of the Mother of God known as Madonna Dudu and the relics of Saint Nephon of Constantinople to help fight the coronavirus outbreak. ‘In these difficult moments of trial, our…

Mar 31, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel urges believers to intensify fasting efforts: Turn physical hunger and thirst into hunger and thirst for God

In words following the proclamation of the Gospel reading on Sunday, Patriarch Daniel highlighted the need to intensify the fasting efforts during Lent, noting that this law established in paradise reflects a hunger and thirst for God. ‘To intensify our fasting efforts means to turn our physical hunger and thirst into hunger and thirst for…

Mar 29, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Târgoviște Archdiocese donates vital sign measuring device to county hospital

The Orthodox Archdiocese of Târgoviște Thursday announced that it has purchased a vital sign measuring device that will be donated to the County Emergency Hospital. Fukuda Denshi’s latest patient monitor DS-8100N cost about 4,343 Euros and will serve the coronavirus patients in Targoviste. The archdiocese’s statement notes that the action “contributes to the national and…

Mar 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu