Aurelian Iftimiu

When does Great Lent begin in 2025?

In less than a month, Orthodox Christians will begin Great Lent, the most significant and strictest fasting period of the year, leading up to Holy Pascha. Sunday, February 9, marks the start of the Triodion period, which includes a three-week liturgical preparation ahead of Lent. The first day of Great Lent 2025 falls on Monday,…

Feb 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian community restores church near Paris in historic Van Gogh village

Eight years after being acquired by the Romanian Orthodox community, the Church of Saint Anthimos the Iberian in Auvers-sur-Oise, a commune 30 km from Paris, is undergoing extensive restoration. Currently, restoration efforts focus on the interior frescoes and the renovation of the courtyard. Ongoing Restoration Efforts Shortly after its acquisition, the church was adapted to…

Feb 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Academy President: Patriarchate was a natural step after Great Union, but required major effort

The establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate was a natural consequence of the enthusiasm that followed the Great Union of 1918, but achieving it required immense effort from the country’s leadership, said Academician Ioan-Aurel Pop, President of the Romanian Academy, in an interview published in Lumina Newspaper on the occasion of the Centennial of the Romanian…

Feb 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod elects Archimandrite Nectarie Clinci as Assistant Bishop of Chișinău Archdiocese

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church elected Archimandrite Nectarie Clinci, abbot of Sihăstria Putnei Monastery, as Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chișinău on Wednesday evening. The newly appointed bishop will bear the title “His Grace Bishop Nectarie of Bogdania, Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chișinău.” With his election, the Metropolis of…

Feb 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church reviews 2024 activities, reports €73 million in philanthropy

The central governing bodies of the Romanian Orthodox Church met on Wednesday at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest to review the Church’s activities for the year 2024. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel presided over the annual meetings of the National Church Council and the National Church Assembly. “We still carry the joy of yesterday’s celebration of…

Feb 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s message on Romanian Patriarchate Centennial: A time of gratitude, solemn occasion to honour new saints

Celebrating 100 years since the establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel addressed the clergy and believers from the Patriarchal Cathedral, noting that the Centennial should be a time of gratitude to God and a solemn occasion to honour the newly canonized saints. “Over the past 100 years, as an institution and spiritual…

Feb 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Synodal Decree of the Romanian Orthodox Church for canonization of 20th-century Saints

In a significant event marking the centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has officially proclaimed the sainthood of sixteen confessors and spiritual fathers, recognizing their exemplary lives and martyrdom during the tumultuous times of the 20th century. The decree, issued on February 4, 2025, honours priests and monks…

Feb 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church proclaims 16 newly canonized Saints on Patriarchate Centennial

The Romanian Orthodox Church officially proclaimed sixteen newly canonized saints on Tuesday, during a historic ceremony at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, attended by Patriarch Daniel and the members of the Holy Synod. The proclamation ceremony took place after the Divine Liturgy, marking the 100th anniversary of the Romanian Patriarchate. The event gathered members of…

Feb 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church marks 100 years since becoming a Patriarchate

On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrates 100 years since the Holy Synod approved the establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate. This decision elevated Patriarch Miron Cristea, then Archbishop of Bucharest and Metropolitan of Ungro-Wallachia (Muntenia), as the first Patriarch of Romania. The Romanian Parliament officially recognized the Synodal decision through a special…

Feb 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Photo gallery: Final memorial service ahead of canonization ceremony of 16 new Romanian Saints

His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești officiated on Monday, February 3, a final memorial service at the Patriarchal Cathedral for the new sixteen Romanian saints, whose canonization will be proclaimed on February 4. To see more photos from the event, go to our Facebook page. Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene

Feb 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Final memorial service ahead of proclaiming 16 new Romanian Saints: We need their intercessions

On Monday evening, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, secretary of the Holy Synod, officiated the final memorial service for sixteen newly canonized Orthodox confessors and martyrs of the 20th century ahead of their official proclamation as saints. “We are the ones in need of the prayers and intercession of these chosen ones of God,”…

Feb 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu