Cultural

Filming to begin after Easter on TV series about life of Orthodox ascetic Saint Joseph the Hesychast

Filming for a new television series dedicated to the life of Saint Joseph the Hesychast is set to begin shortly after Easter. Pemptousia FM, the online radio station of Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos, announced the news on Wednesday. Journalist Maria Giachnaki said the series would explore lesser-known aspects of the saint’s life. “It will…

Apr 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania confirms recovery of ancient gold artefacts stolen from Dutch museum

Romania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana Țoiu, has confirmed that key pieces of the Romanian national treasure—the Golden Helmet of Coțofenești and the Dacian gold bracelets—have been recovered by Dutch authorities and will be returned to Romania. In a statement published on social media, Țoiu said she had discussed the matter with her Dutch counterpart,…

Apr 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Egypt discovers 1,500-year-old monastic complex in Nile Delta, second-largest in Christian history

An Egyptian archaeological mission has uncovered a vast religious complex dating back around 1,500 years at the Al-Qalāyā site in Beheira Governorate in the Nile Delta, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in Cairo said on Monday. Researchers believe the complex represents the second-largest known monastic centre in Christian history, a discovery considered significant for…

Mar 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Greek TV to produce series on St Philothei of Athens, a protectress of women deprived of freedom

Mega Channel in Greece is preparing a television series on the life of Saint Philothei of Athens, commemorated annually on 19 February in the Orthodox calendar. The saint was born in 16th-century Athens as Revoula, the result of her mother’s prayers after being unable to have children. Although she did not wish to marry, she…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Basilica News Agency publishes English booklet on newly canonised Romanian Women Saints

The Basilica News Agency has published in English the digital booklet “Synaxis of the Holy Romanian Women”, dedicated to the women saints whose canonisation was proclaimed on 6 February at the Patriarchal Cathedral. The publication is prefaced by excerpts from an address delivered by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania on the first day of…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Actor Aris Servetalis to portray Athonite Saint Joseph the Hesychast in Greek TV series

Aris Servetalis, who portrayed Saint Nectarios of Aegina in the film Man of God, will play Saint Joseph the Hesychast in a biographical television series to be broadcast in Greece by Mega Channel, according to ope.gr. The role of the Athonite saint will be portrayed at two stages of life: the younger Joseph will be…

Mar 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Athens to host International Symposium honouring Athonite Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra

The St Maximos the Greek Institute of Vatopedi Monastery and the Ormylia Foundation of Simonopetra Monastery on Mount Athos will organise the International Theological Symposium “In Memory and Honour of Elder Aimilianos of Simonos Petras: A Witness to the Glory of God and a Guide in the Spirit” in Athens from 8–10 May 2026. The…

Mar 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Estonian Orthodox composer Arvo Pärt again named world’s most performed living composer

Estonian Orthodox Christian composer Arvo Pärt has once again been named the world’s most performed living composer, according to the annual rankings compiled by Bachtrack, a UK-based classical music analytics platform. According to Estonian World, the ranking highlights Pärt’s extraordinary international impact, although the anniversary year was notable for more than just statistics. His son,…

Feb 10, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Yelena Popovic launched in US movie inspired by St Moses the Black: It aims to inspire those feeling trapped

Filmmaker Yelena Popovic talked to Orthodox Observer about her new movie, Moses the Black, which premiered in the United States on January 30. She explained that she took her inspiration from the Lives of the Saints, but told the story in a manner that can touch the hearts of those who need it most: “I…

Feb 5, 2026Ștefana Totorcea

London gallery stages first Brâncuși photography show in 20 years, Romanian institute says

The Thaddaeus Ropac gallery in London is hosting a photography exhibition dedicated to Constantin Brâncuși, the first of its kind in the past two decades, the Romanian Cultural Institute in London announced. The exhibition brings together photographs taken over three decades by the sculptor from Gorj County, most of them being shown in the United…

Jan 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Egypt discovers Byzantine-era monastery remains in Sohag, shedding light on Upper Egypt monastic life

Recent archaeological excavations in Egypt’s southern Sohag governorate have uncovered traces of a Byzantine-period monastery, offering new insights into the organisation and daily life of monastic communities in Upper Egypt. Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathi, said the discovery reflects the richness of the country’s historical heritage and the diversity of its religious…

Jan 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu