urban hesychasm

Bishop Varlaam: St Sofian was a prophet, apostle and spiritual father of Bucharest

“During the dark years of communism, Antim Monastery was a lamp that remained continually burning, a light of resurrection here in the heart of Bucharest, while St Sofian was a prophet, an apostle and a father of this city, to whom both the most accomplished intellectuals and ordinary people would turn, seeking his kindness, forgiveness…

Sep 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church adds ‘Burning Bush’ Mother of God icon to liturgical calendar

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has added the Icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush” to the Church’s liturgical calendar, establishing 4 September as its annual feast day. The decision was adopted during the Synod’s meeting on 2 July. The feast was set for 4 September because the Church also…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

80 years since Romania’s ‘Burning Bush’ hesychast movement began

The Library of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has marked 80 years since the official launch of the “Burning Bush” spiritual movement at Antim Monastery in Bucharest, commemorating the anniversary in a social media post. In a petition addressed to Patriarch Nicodim and dated 12 February 1946, several Christian lay intellectuals requested…

Feb 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Saint Sofian remembered as confessor, hesychast and iconographer at local canonization ceremony

The Romanian Orthodox Church celebrated on Tuesday the local proclamation of the canonization of Saint Sofian of Antim, a confessor of the faith during communist persecution, a hesychast spiritual father, and iconographer. On this occasion, Patriarch Daniel addressed the faithful with a special message, recalling the life and legacy of the new saint, whom Saint…

Sep 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu