2026 Holy Women

Oldest Romanian Orthodox parish in the Netherlands celebrates first feast of St Maria Brâncoveanu

The Parish of St Gregory the Theologian and St Maria Brâncoveanu in Schiedam/Rotterdam, the oldest Romanian Orthodox parish in the Netherlands, celebrated on Sunday its first summer patronal feast dedicated to St Maria Brâncoveanu. Fr Ioan Dură, the dean and parish priest, celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Following the service, a procession took place with the…

Aug 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Digital Matericon: Women Saints of June

As part of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the Calendar, Basilica.ro continues its Digital Matericon series, a monthly project dedicated to presenting the lives and spiritual legacy of women saints venerated throughout the Christian world. The June edition brings together a diverse assembly of holy women—from martyrs of the early…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Relics of Saint Olympias, mother of St Petronius the Prodromite, uncovered in Romania

The relics of Saint Olympias of Fărcașa, mother of Saint Petronius of Prodromos Skete on Mount Athos, were uncovered on Monday in Fărcașa, Neamț County, Romania. The event took place in the presence of His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe, His Grace Assistant Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani from the Archdiocese of Iași, Archimandrite Petroniu…

May 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church locally proclaims canonisation of Saint Blandina of Iași

The local proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Blandina the Confessor took place on Sunday at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iași. The solemn event was held at the end of the Divine Liturgy celebrated by an assembly of seven hierarchs led by Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina. The Synodal Tomos proclaiming the canonisation was…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Local proclamation of Saint Matrona of Hurezi’s canonisation held at Hurezi Monastery

“She truly passed through great struggles and ascetic labours,” said Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia on Tuesday, May 5, at the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Matrona of Hurezi. His Eminence highlighted the saint’s life of asceticism and total dedication, underlining that she was pleasing to God through her entire way of life. “Saint…

May 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Local proclamation of Saint Mavra of Ceahlău’s canonisation held at Durău Monastery

“We give thanks to God for this great gift that He has bestowed upon Moldavia,” said Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina on Monday, May 4, at the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Mavra of Ceahlău. His Eminence also expressed gratitude to Patriarch Daniel of Romania, who blessed the proposal for the canonisation…

May 12, 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

Romanian archdiocese gives about 500 icons to mothers in Suceava maternity wards

The Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți distributed about 500 icons to mothers and their caregivers in maternity wards across Suceava County on Sunday. The initiative took place in the context of International Women’s Day and formed part of the eparchial programme “Month for Life”. Hospital chaplains distributed the icons, offering blessings and words of encouragement…

Mar 10, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate marks March 9 as day of remembrance for anti-communist political prisoners

On March 9, Romania commemorates both the Feast of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste and the Day of Remembrance for Anti-Communist Political Prisoners from the period 1944–1989. Each year on this date, Romanians have a moral duty to remember those who resisted the totalitarian communist regime, confessing the Orthodox faith against state-imposed atheism. Many were…

Mar 6, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Sunday of Orthodoxy Encyclical 2026: Church affirms the unique and eternal value of every person

On the Sunday of Orthodoxy—the first Sunday of Great Lent—the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church released its annual pastoral encyclical, signed by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel and all members of the Synod. The letter, traditionally read in every parish during the Divine Liturgy, centres on the theme: “Man is the living icon of…

Feb 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Digital Matericon: Women Saints of February (II)

Digital Matericon: Women Saints of February (II) continues our monthly series dedicated to the lives of women saints commemorated throughout the Church year, highlighting a remarkable group of holy women remembered in the second half of February. This instalment presents the spiritual portraits of Saint Scholastica, Saint Theodora the Empress, Saint Priscilla, Saint Mariamne, Saint…

Feb 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu