ştiri ortodoxe

360 million Christians persecuted in 2021 for their faith, Open Doors report shows

The tendencies of persecution and oppression of Christians have grown worldwide in 2021, the data published by the Open Doors International show. According to the report, approximately 360 million Christians are suffering a high degree of persecution and discrimination worldwide. Given the numbers, one out of seven Christians was a victim of persecution and discrimination…

Jan 26, 2022Andrei Ursulean

In pictures: Helsinki Uspenski Cathedral hosts episcopal consecration for first time in over 50 years

The former abbot of Valaam Monastery, Archimandrite Sergei Rayapolvi, became the first bishop ordained at Helsinki’s Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral since 1969. The Divine Liturgy and the ordination were celebrated on Sunday, January 16, 2022, by Archbishop Leo of Helsinki and All Finland, Metropolitan Arseni of Kuopio and Karelia, and Metropolitan Elia of Oulu.…

Jan 26, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

National Culture Day: What is deeply national becomes universal

Romania celebrates National Culture Day on January 15, the date of birth of the National Poet, Mihai Eminescu. The Romanian Parliament adopted the law in 2010 and the day has been marked since 2011. Recently speaking of Mihai Eminescu, Acad. Ioan-Aurel Pop, current President of the Romanian Academy, and Acad. Ana Blandiana said that what…

Jan 15, 2022Ștefana Totorcea

Bessarabia Metropolitan Petru urges respect for all born and unborn children in his Christmas encyclical

“The Church defends the unborn life because it looks with love to every woman who must give birth to children,” Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia notes in his Christmas encyclical. “God’s sign is the child,” His Eminence explains referring to the sign promised by God to the Prophet Isiah and by the angels to the shepherds.…

Jan 7, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel proclaims 2022 Solemn Year of Prayer, Commemorative Year of Hesychast Saints

The first Divine Liturgy in 2022 at the Patriarchal Cathedral ended with the proclamation of the solemn and commemorative themes of the New Year. Therefore, 2022 was proclaimed a Solemn Year of prayer in the Church’s life and the Christian’s life and a Commemorative Year of the Hesychast Saints Symeon the New Theologian, Gregory Palamas…

Jan 1, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Make your heart a bright and pure cave, Australia’s Romanian Bishop Mihail urges in Christmas encyclical

In this year’s Christmas encyclical, His Grace Bishop Mihail of Australia and New Zealand emphasizes that the Nativity of the Saviour represents the fulfilment of all Old Testament prophecies. Through Him, divine revelation is concrete, complete, and perfect. “By the birth of Christ, the prophecies which God the Father revealed to His elect in the…

Dec 24, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Oradea Bishop attends festivities marking 100 years of diplomatic relations between Romania and Japan

His Grace Bishop Sofronie of Oradea attended the festivities marking 100 years of diplomatic relations between Romania and Japan organized at the Medieval Fortress of Oradea by the Embassy of Japan to Romania on Friday, December 10, 2021. The event was attended by His Excellency Hiroshi Ueda, Japan’s Ambassador to Romania, and by local officials.…

Dec 16, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

38th anniversary of the repose of Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann

Monday, December 13, 2021 marks the 38th anniversary of the repose of Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann, Dean of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and one of the 20th century’s leading Orthodox Christian theologians. Father Alexander was born in Estonia in 1921 to a family of Russian emigres. He spent his youth in France, where he completed his…

Dec 13, 2021Sorin Ioniţe

Diocese of Lower Danube: Parish offers medical devices, gifts for mothers at the local maternity

“St. Parascheva” parish in the city of Brăila, on the Lower Danube, offered medical devices and gifts for mothers at the local maternity. The donation amounted to 8,000 Euros. The medical institution received a sonographer, a ventilation device kit and special stands for medical equipment. The parish did not neglect the mothers who were at…

Dec 13, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

In pictures | Bethlehem lights up Christmas tree

Bethlehem Municipality inaugurated on Saturday the huge Christmas tree installed in Manger Square, near the Nativity Church. The lighting of the Christmas tree was preceded by a concert of traditional music and dance and by fireworks. The show was watched by a large local audience. The huge Christmas tree installed near the Nativity Church has…

Dec 5, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

10th anniversary of the Canonization of Saint Andrew Șaguna: Thanks to him, Transylvania remained in Apostle Andrew’s faith

The Holy Hierarch Andrei Şaguna, the founder of the Metropolis of Transylvania, was celebrated during a Divine Liturgy in Sibiu on Tuesday. This year marks ten years since the canonization of Saint Andrew Şaguna, whose relics are kept at the Orthodox Cathedral in Sibiu. Thanks to him, Transylvania remained in the faith of the Apostle…

Dec 3, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu