Commemorative Year 2025

Local canonization of Saint Sofian of Antim: He shone in Romania’s capital through his love and gentleness

The local proclamation of the canonization of Saint Sofian took place on Tuesday at Antim Monastery in Bucharest. On this occasion, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at an outdoor altar arranged in the courtyard of the monastery. The service was led by Archbishop Casian of the Lower Danube, together with Metropolitan Silouan of Byblos, Botris…

Sep 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox theologian Andrei Scrima remembered 25 years after his passing

This year marks 25 years since the repose of Archimandrite Andrei Scrima, a leading figure of the Romanian Hesychast movement “The Burning Bush”. Biographical landmarks Father Andrei Scrima was born in 1925 in Gheorgheni, Harghita County. He studied philosophy, mathematics and theology in Bucharest. Between 1957 and 1959, he was a doctoral student in Benares,…

Aug 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Sihăstria Monastery invites faithful at local canonization of Saints Paisius and Cleopas

The local canonization of Saints Paisius and Cleopas will take place on August 7 at Sihăstria Monastery, Neamț County, during a series of festivities dedicated to local saints. The events will begin on August 5 with the commemoration of Saint John Jacob of Neamț. The relics of the two venerable elders were exhumed in late…

Jun 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Vatopedi Abbot to bring relic of Saint John Chrysostom to Bucharest for July pilgrimage

The Very Reverend Archimandrite Ephraim Koutsou, Abbot of the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos, will bring the honourable skull of Saint John Chrysostom to Bucharest in July. This privileged occasion will allow people to venerate the relic of Saint John Chrysostom in Bucharest. Summer feast of Saint Demetrius This event will…

Jun 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Blessed are the persecuted: May 14 – Remembrance Day for Communist Prisons Victims

On Wednesday, Romania commemorates the Day of Remembrance for the Martyrs of Communist Prisons, established by the Romanian Parliament in 2017, in honour of those who lost their lives due to inhumane treatment and torture in communist-era prisons. Those arrested by the communist regime were not only former politicians but also wealthy peasants, intellectuals, students,…

May 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s message on Romanian Patriarchate Centennial: A time of gratitude, solemn occasion to honour new saints

Celebrating 100 years since the establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel addressed the clergy and believers from the Patriarchal Cathedral, noting that the Centennial should be a time of gratitude to God and a solemn occasion to honour the newly canonized saints. “Over the past 100 years, as an institution and spiritual…

Feb 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Press Release: Key Dates and Events of the 2025 Centennial Year in the Romanian Patriarchate

The year 2025 has been proclaimed the Solemn Year of the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate and the Commemorative Year of 20th-century Romanian Orthodox Spiritual Fathers and Confessors. In this context, several significant events are scheduled to take place in the coming months. Highlights include: February 4, 2025 – Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate The…

Jan 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate unveils new icon of the Assembly of Romanian Saints for Centennial celebration

On New Year’s Day, during the proclamation of the Solemn Year of the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate and the Commemorative Year of Romanian Orthodox Spiritual Fathers and Confessors of the 20th Century, a new icon titled “The Assembly of Romanian Saints” was presented, marking this jubilee year. The artwork, measuring 90 x 60 cm,…

Jan 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel declares Solemn Year 2025 a unique moment in Romanian Orthodox Church history

In his address on New Year’s day at the Patriarchal Cathedral which also marked the inauguration of the Solemn and Commemorative Year 2025 in the Romanian Patriarchate, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasized the dual role of the Patriarchate – not only as an administrative entity but as a beacon of faith and national identity. The…

Jan 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania’s New Year 2025 Message: Sanctify Time and Place to Enter the Kingdom of Heaven

On New Year’s Eve, the Patriarch of Romania delivered a message reminding Christians of their calling to sanctify the place and time on earth as preparation for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. The Patriarch’s message was read by Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova during the service held Tuesday night at the Patriarchal Cathedral. In his…

Jan 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s 2024 Christmas Pastoral Letter: Christ’s Nativity brings joy to all

In his annual Christmas Pastoral Letter, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church emphasized the profound joy that the Nativity of Jesus Christ brings to believers, describing it as the “joy of salvation.” The message, titled “The Nativity of Christ, Joy for All,” reflects on the biblical account where angels announce the birth of Christ…

Dec 16, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu