Anti-communist Political Prisoners' Day

Anti-Communist political prisoners commemorated in Timisoara: ‘They chose to pray for their enemies’

Anti-communist political prisoners were commemorated on Monday in Timișoara in an event that coincided with the feast of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste. The memorial service was officiated by Fr Timotei Anișorac, eparchial vicar, at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Timișoara, marking the Day of Anti-Communist Political Prisoners from the 1944–1989 period. Former political prisoners, former…

Mar 11, 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

Romania honours anti-communist political prisoners in Bucharest memorial service

On Sunday, anti-communist political prisoners were commemorated at the “Wings” Monument in Piața Presei Libere (Free Press Square), Bucharest. The memorial event began with the singing of the national anthem and a memorial service officiated by Father Lucian Georgescu, dean of Sector 1 in Bucharest, alongside an assembly of Orthodox clergy. “On this day, the…

Mar 10, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Eulogy of sacrifice at St Anthimos Monastery: Martyrs of Burning Bush movement commemorated on the feast of Holy 40 Martyrs

Two holidays sharing the eulogy of self-sacrifice were marked on Thursday at St Anthimos Monastery in Bucharest: the feast of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste and the Anti-communist Political Prisoners’ Day. “How agreeable it was decided that this day, March 9, should be dedicated in our country to the memory of anti-communist political fighters…

Mar 10, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Cluj Metropolitan remembers anti-communist political prisoners at Gherla Memorial

On the feast of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, the day the former anti-communist political prisoners in Romania are commemorated, Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj prayed for their souls at the monastic settlement at Gherla Memorial. The memorial service for the anti-communist political prisoners was held on Cărămidăriei Hill, near the anonymous cemetery with common…

Mar 15, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste honoured at Bucharest Monastery: “Martyrdom means love and its perpetuation”

The Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste were honoured at Bucharest’s St Anthimos Monastery, where particles of their relics, donated by Patriarch Nicodemus of Jerusalem 139 years ago, are displayed for veneration. The festal Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts was celebrated by the monastery’s abbot Protosyncellus Vicențiu Oboroceanu. During his sermon, the abbot referred to the…

Mar 15, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Day of anti-communist political prisoners; military, religious ceremony at ‘Wings’ monument in Bucharest

A military and religious ceremony was organized, last week on the Day of anti-communist political prisoners in the 1944-1989 period, at the monument called “Wings” (Aripi) in Bucharest’s Free Press Square.  The event, organized by the State Secretariat for recognizing the merits of fighters against the communist regime installed in Romania between 1945-1989, started with…

Mar 15, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Canonization 2025: Bishop Varlaam reveals first three names

On Anti-Communist Political Prisoners Day, His Grace Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, general secretary of the Holy Synod, revealed some of the names proposed for canonization in 2025. They are priests and monks persecuted or martyred by the communist regime. In its February 25 meeting, the Holy Synod decided to prepare the canonization of twelve priests…

Mar 10, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Communique: The Orthodox Church commemorates all heroes, does not glorify all of them

Because sometimes the Romanian media refers to the glorification of the persons who suffered persecutions during the communist regime in our country or even died in the communist jails, we provide the following information: The canonization of Saints has the role to profess, to strengthen and to convey the true faith so as to guide…

Jun 5, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

March 9: Anti-communist Political Prisoners’ Day

March 9 marks the Anti-communist Political Prisoners’ Day in Romania. Memorial services have been held today all across the country for the rest of the souls of those who suffered under the atheist regime of communism, who have defended the faith in God and the dignity of the Romanian people. The Parliament of Romania adopted…

Mar 9, 2017Aurelian Iftimiu