Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s Ambassador to Bulgaria meets with His Beatitude Patriarch Neophyte

Romania’s Ambassador to Bulgaria, Brândușa Predescu, met on Tuesday with His Beatitude Patriarch Neophyte at the headquarters of the Orthodox Metropolis in Sofia, the Bulgarian Patriarchate announced. The meeting was also attended by Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Secretary of the Holy Synod, Bishop Polycarp of Belogradchik, Vicar of the Metropolis of Sofia, and Father Neluțu…

Jan 13, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian church to be built in Dubai: It will not have high towers, but it will be welcoming

Romanians in Dubai could have their own church, Patriarch Daniel said at the end of the Christmas Divine Liturgy. The church plan has been submitted to the authorities in the United Arab Emirates and involves a holy place adapted to the cultural context of this country: it will not be very tall but small and…

Jan 12, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint Diadochos of Photiki, the newest Saint in the Romanian Church’s calendar

During its working session last December, the Holy Synod decided to include Saint Diadochos, Bishop of Photiki, in the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church, with commemoration day on March 29. The Holy Synod also approved the Saint’s service, akathist, synaxarium, and icon. Saint Diadochos was born around 400 and served as the Bishop of…

Jan 12, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel blesses St Stylianos childcare centre in Urlați

On the second day of Christmas, on the feast of the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church visited and consecrated a Church daycare centre in southeastern Romania. The St. Stylianos Children’s Day Centre in Urlați was initially inaugurated by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel in 2013. It was blessed…

Jan 12, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Suceava Archdiocese donates 9 tons of food to 500 families for Christmas

Thanks to the efforts of the Social-Philanthropic Department and the Anastasie Crimca Foundation of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți, 500 families were blessed with food for Christmas. Over the last two months of the year, the archdiocese arranged five charity concerts with the participation of 43 vocal groups and artistic ensembles. The concerts raised…

Jan 12, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

They protect us in 2022: The Saints who prayed unceasingly to God

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has decided that 2022 will be the Commemorative Year of the Holy Hesychasts Symeon the New Theologian, Gregory Palamas and Paisius Velichkovsky of Neamț in the Romanian Patriarchate. Hesychasm is an ascetic practice of monastic origin that involves the constant repetition of the Jesus prayer: “Lord, Jesus…

Jan 11, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

2021 Year in Review: Significant decisions of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church

In 2021, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church had three working sessions. In February, the first meeting took place when two assistant bishops were elected for the Archdiocese of Iasi and the Diocese of Deva and Hunedoara. Also, in February, the Synod approved the solemn and commemorative themes for 2022. Last year, one…

Jan 11, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Teodosie performs Great Blessing of Waters on Black Sea shores: “Fear not future waves”

On the feast of Theophany, His Eminence Archbishop Teodosie officiated the Great Blessing of Waters on the seafront at the Tomis Harbour, expressing his hope that we will get through this difficult period: “May we have joy all year long, and let us not be afraid of the future waves. With God, we are above…

Jan 11, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

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

PHOTOS: The Theophany of the Lord at the Patriarchal Cathedral 2022

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel officiated the great blessing of the waters on the porch of the patriarchal residence in Bucharest on the feast of the Theophany of the Lord, January 6, 2022. Before the blessing service, the festal Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiești at the Patriarchal Cathedral. Photography…

Jan 7, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: The Orthodox does not lock God in the church, but observes His sanctifying work in all creation

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel explained on Wednesday what is the “blessing of the Jordan” asked for during the great blessing of waters on Theophany Eve: it is the sanctifying work of God in His creation. Through His Baptism in the Jordan River, the Saviour sanctifies the whole world. “In conclusion, the Orthodox does not lock…

Jan 7, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu