Christmas Carols

Christ the Pilgrim comes to us in every person in need, Patriarch Daniel says in his Christmas pastoral letter

In his Christmas Pastoral Letter, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church reflects on the mystery of the Nativity as a living encounter between God and humanity, presenting Christ as the divine “Pilgrim” who continues to come to people through love, humility, and mercy. Drawing on Scripture, patristic teaching, and the spiritual heritage of Romanian…

Dec 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Benedict reflects on ‘theology of the cave’, linking Bethlehem to communist prisons

Bishop Benedict of Sălaj has proposed in his first Christmas Pastoral Letter a reflection on what he calls the “theology of the cave,” drawing a parallel between the humility of the manger in Bethlehem and the “cave” of suffering experienced in communist prisons. He stresses that no human suffering is too dark to be illumined…

Dec 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Romanian carols are a confession of the Incarnation of the Son of God

At the conclusion of the annual Christmas carol concert organised by the Romanian Patriarchate, held on Tuesday evening at the Palace of the Patriarchate, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church delivered a message reflecting on the theological, cultural and historical significance of the Romanian Christmas carol tradition. Addressing clergy, performers and the faithful gathered…

Dec 17, 2025Aurelian 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

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

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

Unique show in Tokyo: Japanese musicians sang Romanian carols

Between 6 and 11 December, a unique show was offered in Tokyo, Japan: 24 Japanese lyrical artists, led by two conductors from Romania, sang Romanian carols in their original language, Romanian. The project was initiated by Kazuko Shimada, President of the “Romanian Music Society in Japan” and benefited from the involvement of Dr Luminița Guțanu…

Dec 21, 2022Ștefana Totorcea

Patriarch Daniel: Christmas carols are hymns and prayers of the right-believing Romanian people

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church attended the traditional carol concert of the Romanian Patriarchate titled “The Orient from on High,” organised by the Basilica Media Centre at the Patriarchal Palace on Friday, December 16, 2022. The Patriarch of Romania addressed those present, highlighting the importance of Christmas carols. “In this Solemn…

Dec 19, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

The Christmas Tree reminds us of the Tree of Life, Christ, rich with the gifts of the Holy Eucharist: Patriarch Daniel

“The Christmas Tree reminds us of the Tree of Life, with the many gifts of the Holy Eucharist. The Tree of Life – Christ. In the Holy Trinity icon painted by Andrey Rublyov, the Tree of Life is placed exactly behind the Son, meaning Christ, Who is blessing the content of the Chalice,” explained Patriarch…

Dec 25, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Romanian patriarch blesses carolers with Down Syndrome: “You have intensified the joy”

Patriarch Daniel received on Wednesday a group of young beneficiaries of Bucharest’s Down Plus Association. His Beatitude blessed the young people with Down Syndrome and told them they intensified the joy on the Patriarchate’s Hill. “You sang very beautifully and conveyed joy, as the song said, especially since we are here in Bucharest, which means…

Dec 24, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Patriarch Daniel to the Christmas carolers who study Theology: God the Child reveals the mystery of family

“St. John of Damascus says the only new thing under the sun is God the Man, Jesus Christ. And this mystery of God the Child Who grows through the love and care shown by the Mother of God and His adoptive father, Righteous Joseph, reveals the mystery of family,” Patriarch Daniel said on Monday to…

Dec 24, 2021Ștefana Totorcea