Commemorative Year 2026

Patriarch Daniel calls Romanian diaspora youth ambassadors of the Christian faith and national values

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church has encouraged Romanian children and young people living abroad to remain faithful ambassadors of Christianity and Romanian values, emphasising the importance of preserving their language, cultural heritage and spiritual roots through active ties with their homeland. In an official message addressed to participants in the 17th…

Jul 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

St Philotimia of Râmeț proclaimed locally as model of holy family life

The local proclamation of St Philotimia of Râmeț took place on Monday at Râmeț Monastery in Alba County. On the occasion, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurențiu of Transylvania said the saint’s life demonstrates that “holiness can be lived within the family, not only in monasteries”. Before the Divine Liturgy, a procession was held with the relics…

Jun 30, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian and Hungarian experts search for St Anastasia Șaguna’s relics at Budapest cemetery

Romanian and Hungarian specialists took part on Monday in investigations at Kerepesi Cemetery in Budapest as part of efforts to identify the relics of St Anastasia Șaguna, canonised by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 2025. The investigation began with the opening of the Grabovsky family vault at Kerepesi Cemetery, where the remains believed to be…

Jun 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox priests’ wives from 12 European countries gather in Dublin for St. Nona Meeting

“Within a priest’s family there should be no competition, but rather a shared ministry to Christ, never forgetting that both of you are one in Christ and that you must have the mind of Christ,” Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland urged priests’ wives during the fifth International Gathering of the Saint Nona Group. The…

Jun 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Pasărea Monastery proclaims canonisation of two Romanian Women Saints: ‘They lived in perfect simplicity’

The local proclamation of the canonisation of Saints Philothea and Elizabeth of Pasărea took place on Friday at Pasărea Monastery. The solemn event was held following the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Archbishop Nifon of Târgoviște, Honorary Metropolitan and Patriarchal Exarch, together with Archbishop Calinic of Argeș and Muscel, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishops Varlaam of Ploiești and…

Jun 9, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Hon metropolitan Nifon: Canonisation of Holy Women shows that holiness begins in the family

His Eminence Hon Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Târgoviște and patriarchal exarch, said on Friday at Pasărea Monastery that the canonisation of sixteen Romanian holy women demonstrates that holiness begins within the family. The hierarch celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Pasărea Monastery on the occasion of the local proclamation of the canonisation of St Philothea of…

Jun 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Synod approves new Saints’ seasts, liturgical texts and academic programmes

On Wednesday, 3 June 2026, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held a working session in the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The Holy Synod adopted a series of decisions concerning the Church’s pastoral and missionary activity, including the following: The draft…

Jun 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Digital Matericon: Women Saints of June

As part of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the Calendar, Basilica.ro continues its Digital Matericon series, a monthly project dedicated to presenting the lives and spiritual legacy of women saints venerated throughout the Christian world. The June edition brings together a diverse assembly of holy women—from martyrs of the early…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Pasărea Monastery to host local canonisation of two Romanian nuns

The local proclamation of the canonisation of St Philothea of Pasărea and St Elizabeth of Pasărea will take place on 5 June 2026. To mark the occasion, an extensive liturgical programme will be held at Pasărea Monastery on 4–5 June 2026, as follows: Thursday, 4 June 2026 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Vigil service…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Damaschin of Dorna: Church music finds its true purpose in worship

Assistant Bishop Damaschin of Dorna officiated Vespers on Monday at the Church of the Presentation of the Lord (“Vovidenia”) in Botoșani, where he reflected on the role of church music. The liturgical service formed part of the programme of the Iași International Byzantine Music Festival. The bishop highlighted the authentic meaning of church music and…

May 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Western & Southern Europe Metropolis Pentecost Message: Modern man risks losing true communion

In their Pentecost pastoral letter addressed to Romanians in Western and Southern Europe, the hierarchs of the Metropolis warn that “amid the ceaseless noise of the modern world, man risks losing precisely what matters most: true communion.” Drawing on the words of Scripture, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4), the…

May 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu