Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel shares practical ways to prepare for Christmas

In a society that tends to distort the spiritual significance of the holidays by encouraging consumerism, Patriarch Daniel explained on Thursday how to better prepare for the feast of the Nativity of the Lord. “By more prayer, by reading the Holy Scriptures, by a more frequent Confession and Communion, and with acts of mercy. Let…

Nov 25, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Over 1,400 New Testaments to be sent to Romanian soldiers abroad by Christmas

The Romanian Patriarchate will give away 1,410 copies of the New Testament with Psalms to the Romanian soldiers abroad. The New Testaments will be distributed in the near future through the Religious Assistance Section of the Ministry of National Defence, Fr. Ciprian Ioniţă from the Social-Philanthropic Department of the Patriarchal Administration told the Basilica News…

Nov 25, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian referee Alexandru Tudor shares moments of tension that brought him closer to God

The former Romanian referee Alexandru Tudor spoke about the moments of tension in his carrier that brought him closer to God, and shared his moral and religious beliefs during a show at the National Television (TVR) on Saturday night. He remembered a sign received from God through the intercessions of Saint John the New of…

Nov 20, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: November 11 – 17, 2019

From youth to old age, we all enjoy the presence and blessings of God. This is what this week’s collection of photos tries to highlight: the joy in Christ. Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaNews We would gladly include one of your photos depicting Orthodox life in our weekly selection. All you have to do is…

Nov 20, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

First Romanian monastery inaugurated in Portugal

The first Romanian Orthodox monastery in Portugal was inaugurated last Sunday, Nov. 17, by four Romanian hierarchs in Aldeia de Santa Margarida (Idanha-a-Nova). The monastery is dedicated to the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God. Headed by His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe, the assembly of bishops officiated the…

Nov 20, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Wealth and poverty are an occasion to draw closer to God and our peers – Patriarch Daniel

Patriarch Daniel on Sunday offered his reflections on wealth and poverty as means through which we can proceed on the path to salvation. ‘Wealth and poverty are not a purpose in themselves. They are an opportunity for us to draw near or away from God and others.’ “Neither wealth nor poverty can bring us salvation,…

Nov 19, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan of Banat donates winter clothing to patients in psychiatric facilities

Approximately 1,000 winter clothing items were offered by Metropolitan Ioan of Banat for patients with psychiatric disorders at the Psychiatric and Safety Measures Hospital in Jebel and the Psychiatric Hospital in Gătaia. According to the website of the Metropolis, His Eminence visited the patients last week. On Nov. 13, Metropolitan Ioan also visited the Pentru…

Nov 19, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Nuns from Valea Bistritei Monastery build house for 7-children family

The nuns from Valea Bistriței Monastery are building a house for a needy family with seven children, ages 7 to 15. The monastery announced the project in August, noting that it was undertaken with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Irineu of Alba Iulia. The monastery asked for funds from any who wanted to help,…

Nov 19, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Romfilatelia unveils 2019 Christmas stamps

Romfilatelia has launched its 2019 Christmas stamp collection which this year features brightly coloured traditional Nativity scenes. The Christmas set includes two denominated stamps indicating 1,70 lei reproducing images from the manuscript ‘Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God’ kept at the Romanian Academy Library. The scenes shown on the stamps are summarized by Romfilatelia…

Nov 19, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Visarion of Tulcea calls for prayer and good deeds in Nativity Fast message

His Grace Bishop Visarion of Tulcea is calling on the faithful to pray and perform good deeds during the Nativity Fast. In this year’s Nativity Fast message, the Orthodox Bishop of Tulcea invites believers to unite the liturgical life with Christian philanthropy, thus demonstrating to be brothers and sisters in Christ. ‘The Church urges us…

Nov 19, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Demand for Bibles in China Reaches a Staggering 200 Million, Despite Heavy Persecution

Despite relentless persecution, the Christian community in China is thriving. Totaling around 100 million believers, and with hundreds of thousands being baptized annually, many experts predict that China will become the world’s most Christian nation by 2030. The staggering explosion of faith is, in part, down to the mass printing of Bibles. Indeed, China’s Amity…

Nov 19, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu