Aurelian Iftimiu

For 12 years, Basilica.ro

June 16 marks the 12th anniversary of Basilica.ro, the only news agency belonging to an Orthodox Autocephalous Church. This unique project began as a news aggregator selecting articles from the Dioceses of the Romanian Patriarchate. Information was taken en masse directly from the source, with little intervention on form or content. After joining social media,…

Jun 16, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam at St Anthimos Monastery: Don’t run after fleeting things, chase holiness instead!

The patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiesti urged Sunday to set the sanctification of our lives above all personal ideals. His Grace presided over the Divine Liturgy at St Anthimos Monastery in Bucharest on the front steps of the church dedicated to the Synaxis of All Saints. Bishop Varlaam said we should chase holiness by…

Jun 16, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Timișoara Archdiocese donates house to victim of domestic violence with 5 children

Just days after the Huși Diocese of the Romanian Orthodox Church donated three houses to disadvantaged families as part of their “Joy is Home” project, the Archdiocese of Timișoara is doing the same. In the village of Babșa in Timiș County, the Archdiocese bought and donated a house to a mother with five children who…

Jun 16, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel on Sunday of All Saints: This is the most beautiful holiday regarding Church communion

During his sermon on Sunday, June 14, 2020, the Patriarch of Romania stressed the beauty of the diversity and unity in the Church. These are illustrated by the example of the Saints of all times, including those in the future, from all places, of all ages and different social ranks, the known and unknown.  ‘This…

Jun 15, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Celebration of services inside places of worship is fully justified – Patriarchate’s Spokesperson

The spokesman of the Romanian Patriarchate said Thursday that ‘the rapid return to the celebration of religious services inside the places of worship (with the implicit observance of the rules of physical distancing and sanitation of the liturgical spaces as established by the competent authorities) is already fully justified and adequate to the current Romanian…

Jun 12, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Neurosurgeon Stefan Mindea ordained to the priesthood: In perfect conditions, every doctor would be a priest

Archbishop Teodosie of Tomis on Monday ordained the renowned neurosurgeon Stefan Mindea to the priesthood at Vacarestii Noi Monastery in Constanta. The Archbishop of Tomis said that ‘science and faith have met’ in the person of the famous doctor ordained a priest for the church of Vacarestii Noi Monastery. Asked how he will reconcile medicine…

Jun 12, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Justinian Chira statue unveiled in Baia Mare

A statue was placed in the courtyard of the Orthodox Cathedral of Baia Mare in memory of Archbishop Justinian Chira of blessed memory. The monument was inaugurated on Sunday, June 7, after the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the patronal feast of the place of worship, the Diocese of Maramureş and Sătmar reports. ‘His…

Jun 11, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: June 1 -7, 2020

This is Orthodoxy in pictures beginning with Children’s Day until Pentecost Sunday, reflecting the joy of childhood and the great feast that marks the establishment of the Church. Here is our weekly selection of photos in the Orthodox world captured from June 1 to June 7, 2020. Last week’s most widely appreciated post on our…

Jun 11, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Huși Bishop remembers Fr. Mina Dobzeu as ‘a brave confessor of Christ in hostile times’

Bishop Ignatie of Huși remembered Archimandrite Mina Dobzeu as ‘a brave confessor of Christ in hostile times,’ during a memorial service last Saturday marking two years since the repose of the priest who baptised Fr Nicolae Steinhardt during communism. “After reading Father Mina’s Securitate file – which we intend to publish in full so that…

Jun 11, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Man sanctifies the place if he keeps in touch with God, Patriarch Daniel says at Cernica Monastery

On Pentecost Sunday, Patriarch Daniel spoke about the Church’s practice to bless the fruits on the feast of the descent of the Holy Spirit and to offer prayers for the entire creation. He referred to the significance of the walnut tree leaves sanctified on Sunday and stated that “man sanctifies the place if he keeps…

Jun 11, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam: The Basilica Media Centre has proved its social and spiritual utility

The Basilica Press Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate is placed under the protection of the Holy Trinity. At the Divine Liturgy celebrated on Monday in the courtyard of the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, special petitions were offered for the media centre and its staff. His Grace the Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, who presided…

Jun 9, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu