Christmas 2024

Welcoming Christ in our hearts and souls after the fasting season: Bishop Mihail’s Christmas encyclical

In his Christmas encyclical, Bishop Mihail of Australia and New Zealand explains that the fast we conclude on the feast of the Nativity of our Lord allows us to receive the Infant Jesus, making Him a dwelling place in our hearts and souls. “Sanctifying our soul and body through repentance, through reading the Holy Scriptures,…

Dec 24, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Children of light or darkness: A bishop’s call for discernment in front of modern challenges

In the Christmas Pastoral Letter, His Grace Bishop Iustin of Maramureș and Sătmar underscores the importance of making a definitive decision between living in the light through faith and love and in the darkness through lawlessness and the rejection of Christ in the context of the modern world, which is characterised by conflicts, divisions, and…

Dec 24, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

The world’s destiny is written in hearts, not palaces of power: Bishop Macarie’s Christmas Message

“Neither the Herods nor the Pilates of this world can absolutely change the course of human history. For the true destiny of the world is not written in the palaces of power, but in people’s hearts,” conveyed His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe in his Christmas encyclical. “In the depths of each heart lies…

Dec 24, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Serafim of Germany uses his Christmas message to glorify God for revealing modern Romanian Saints

The Christmas Pastoral Letter of His Eminence Metropolitan Serafim of Germany, Central and Northern Europe, briefly presents the life of eight of the sixteen newly canonized Romanian Saints – those His Eminence knew. “Let us give glory to the good God who has raised so many saints from our people who pray for us, interceding…

Dec 24, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Today man sees the atom core but not all see God: Christmas Wisdom from Metropolitan of Banat

Today, man sees even the atom core and a part of the boundless outer space, but not all see God, His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat stressed in this year’s Christmas pastoral letter. For over two millennia, the Church has been addressing all people, inviting them to fill their hearts with the love of Christ.…

Dec 24, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel shares message of peace and joy for Christmas and New Year: A celebration of humble, generous love

In his annual Christmas video message, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasized the spirit of “humble and generous love, peace, and joy” that accompanies the celebration of Christ’s Nativity. Patriarch Daniel highlighted the biblical narrative where angels announced the birth of Jesus with the proclamation, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill…

Dec 21, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian children from Valletta perform Christmas carols at San Anton Presidential Palace in Malta

Children from the Romanian Orthodox Parish of Valletta held a carol concert on Tuesday at the Russian Chapel of the San Anton Presidential Palace in Malta in the presence of the President of Malta and her husband, Dr Anthony Spiteri Debono. “Although we come from different countries and cultures, we preserve and respect the same…

Dec 20, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Cutting through the noise: Bishop Ambrozie’s Christmas call to serve and uphold Christ’s teachings

In his 2024 Christmas Pastoral Letter, Bishop Ambrozie of Giurgiu calls for a return to authentic Christian values and compassion, urging the faithful to cut through the overwhelming noise of media and ideologies. Highlighting the joys and sufferings that shape the Christian journey, he emphasizes the Church’s mission to serve others and uphold the teachings…

Dec 19, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel welcomes first carolers of the year as “heralds of God’s merciful love”

On Wednesday evening, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel received the first carolers of the year at the Patriarchal Residence. On this occasion, His Beatitude told the carolers that they are “heralds of God’s merciful love.” Four groups performed carols: The group from “Ion I. C. Brătianu” Secondary School in Bucharest, The “Saint Kyriake” Byzantine Choir from…

Dec 19, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens: Christmas Message 2024 – “True peace flows from the cave in Bethlehem”

Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens conveyed a heartfelt Christmas message for 2024, emphasizing the significance of peace, solidarity, and spiritual life in the face of modern challenges. Drawing inspiration from the angelic hymn at the Nativity of the Lord—“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace”—the Archbishop highlighted that Christ’s Nativity marks the…

Dec 19, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Carols heal sadness and bring holy joy

On Tuesday evening, during the traditional Christmas carols concert “The Rising Sun” at the Patriarchal Palace, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasized the carols’ profound spiritual and emotional impact. Addressing the audience, he described Christmas carols as a source of joy and faith, capable of healing sadness and despair. “Carols are our response to God’s love,”…

Dec 18, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu