Christmas 2020

Patriarch Daniel explains connection between Flight into Egypt and birth of monasticism: Christ turns exile into a blessing

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel attended the Divine Liturgy at the historical chapel of his patriarchal residence on the Sunday after the Nativity of the Lord. His Beatitude explained the gospel passage’s spiritual meanings about the Flight of the Child Jesus into Egypt in his homily. Egypt, a country of idolatry and slavery, would become several…

Dec 28, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Dainel at Christmas Liturgy: Let us bring gifts like the Magi!

Patriarch Daniel celebrated the Christmas Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest on Friday. In his homily, Patriarch Daniel explained the significance of the Magi’s gifts and what type of ‘gold, myrrh and frankincense’ we can bring to the Infant Jesus and to our peers. Concelebrants for the Divine Liturgy included the Patriarch’s auxiliary…

Dec 25, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian children sing Christmas carols to President of Malta: PHOTOS

The children’s choir of the Romanian Orthodox parish of Valletta held on Monday, December 21, 2020, a small Christmas carol concert at the presidential palace in Malta. The children, dressed in folk costumes, and the parish priest George-Alexandru Popescu, were received by the President of the Republic of Malta, George Vella, and his wife, Miriam.…

Dec 24, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s Christmas Message 2020: Show signs of hope, peace, and joy!

In his Christmas message this year, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel recalls that ‘humanity facing the new coronavirus is going through a difficult period as regards human life and health.’ That is why we need ‘much prayer, solidarity and brotherly help.’ Patriarch Daniel highlights that ‘the light of the Infant Jesus born in Bethlehem calls us…

Dec 24, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

We are called to embody the gifts on Nativity in works of benevolence and charity, Patriarch of Antioch says in Christmas message

In his pastoral letter for Christmas, Patriarch John X of Antioch sent a message of hope, consolation and trust. The Divine Infant brings hope and trust, and we are called to welcome Him with the gifts of our good deeds in favour of those in need. “In the night of the present times, here comes…

Dec 24, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch’s Christmas Message: Pandemic does not affect the innermost relationship of the faithful with Christ

In his Christmas message, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew stressed that the Christmas Fast – the journey to the great feast of the Nativity of the Saviour – was different this year in terms of external conditions caused by the pandemic, but all this does not affect the innermost relationship of the faithful with Christ. Our church…

Dec 24, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

I too proclaim to you with the angel that God is with us, that God has not forsaken us: Metropolitan Nicolae in Christmas pastoral letter

This year’s pastoral letter for Christmas by the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of the Americas is a message of encouragement in the face of sickness and death. “At this glorious feast, I too proclaim to you with the angel that God is with us, that God has not forsaken us, that God has not forgotten His…

Dec 22, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s Christmas Encyclical 2020: full text

Please find below the full text of the pastoral letter of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania on the feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ 2020: † DANIEL By God’s Grace, Archbishop of Bucharest, Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrudja, Locum tenens of the throne of Caesarea of Cappadocia and Patriarch of the…

Dec 15, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Three families receive housing from diocese of Huşi in time for winter

Three more needy families have received housing from the Romanian Huşi Diocese as part of the diocesan Joy is at Home project. Thus far, seven houses have been provided to families without material means. The first three were given to their respective families on June 1, in honour of International Children’s Day. On Wednesday, December 9,…

Dec 11, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

No further restrictions on public religious services: Consultation between Romania’s faith leaders and government

Romania’s State Secretariat for Religious Affairs (SSC) hosted on Thursday, December 3, a new meeting of the Platform of Dialogue between faith leaders and the representatives of public authorities with attributions in combating the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The goal of the consultation was to ensure dialogue and cooperation-based decisions that can meet both…

Dec 7, 2020Ștefana Totorcea

Saint Nicholas is a symbol of generosity and a friend of children: Patriarch Daniel

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel Sunday said that Saint Nicholas is a symbol of generosity and a friend of children. “Saint Nicholas is a helper of orphans, of the sick, of people in difficulty, but especially he is a friend of children.” The Patriarch said that during this period, children often confuse Saint Nick with Santa…

Dec 7, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu