Coronavirus pandemic

Patriarch Daniel urges more communication and communion among Orthodox Students Association branches

After praying together at the Patriarchal Cathedral on Sunday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed the representatives of the branches of the Romanian Orthodox Christian Students Association (ASCOR) at the Patriarchal Residence. Being informed about the agenda set by ASCOR members at their national meeting on Saturday, the Patriarch of Romania appreciated their desire to complete this year the…

Apr 7, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarchate’s Spokesperson assures Easter services will take place normally this year

The spokesman of the Romanian Patriarchate, Vasile Bănescu, offered assurances that the Holy Easter services will take place normally this year. “In connection with the misunderstanding about the time interval for lifting mobility restrictions (on foot or by personal means of transport) on the night of the Resurrection, a misunderstanding that some hastened to speculate…

Apr 3, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

A year of philanthropy in a pandemic. Interview with the volunteer coordinator at National Cathedral’s Chapel

The volunteers of the Chapel of the Romanian People’s Salvation Cathedral have been organizing various activities for years to help others. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in Romania, they were mobilized and helped those suffering. Dănuţ-Viorel Prună, the volunteer coordinator, told Basilica.ro how the volunteers managed to achieve their goals and come to…

Mar 31, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Job, driver’s license and an understanding wife, these are the criteria for clergy in the diaspora, Metropolitan Iosif says

The challenges faced by Romanian clerics abroad and the specifics of the diaspora’s mission were highlighted by Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe in an interview with Radio Trinitas. “To have a driver’s license, to be very mobile, to have an understanding wife,” are some of the criteria that a priest in the diaspora…

Mar 24, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

During the pandemic, Romanians in Italy remained united and close to God: Assistant Bishop Atanasie of Bogdania

Journalist Cristian Curte published in the weekly Formula AS an interview with His Grace Assistant Bishop Atanasie of Bogdania, who explained how the pandemic was felt in the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy. “The Romanian is connected to the Church and the other Romanians,” said the bishop, and the hidden gift of the scourge was…

Mar 18, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Paramedic Mihaela Enache: The fight for life never takes a break, but faith in God gives me strength

“The fight for life never takes a break, but faith in God gives me strength,” an emergency rescue service SMURD paramedic told AGERPRES. Major lieutenant Mihaela Nicoleta Enache from Mihăileşti Intervention Guard within Romanian General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (ISU) Giurgiu. Mihaela Enache spoke about the mission she carries out at ISU Giurgiu, the challenges…

Mar 17, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Benelux Orthodox Bishops postpone inter-Orthodox concelebration on Sunday of Orthodoxy

During an extraordinary coordination meeting held March 11, the Orthodox Episcopal Assembly of Benelux (CEOB-OBB) announced that the inter-Orthodox concelebration on the Sunday of Orthodoxy will not take place this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.  The hierarchs discussed the difficulties caused by the pandemic in officiating holy services and not allowing believers access to…

Mar 16, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Church’s philanthropy increases during pandemic year: EUR 38 mln

On Tuesday, the National Church Council approved the General Activity Report of the Romanian Orthodox Church for 2020, entitled: “In the fight against the pandemic, the Church has intensified prayer, philanthropy and the protection of human health.” The Church invested 38 million euros to provide support in the pandemic year: an increase of 17.6% (5.7…

Feb 25, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Bucharest Archdiocese spends EUR 2 mln on medical equipment, humanitarian aid in 2020

The Archdiocesan Assembly of the Archdiocese of Bucharest convened at the Palace of the Romanian Patriarchate to review last year’s activity and set new priorities for 2021. The activity slowed down compared to previous years, as a consequence of the pandemic restrictions. Nevertheless, most of the administrative-pastoral, economic-patrimonial, cultural-missionary and educational activities were continued. The…

Feb 17, 2021Ștefana Totorcea

Romanian Physicist and Priest Iosif Bena: Conspiracies make us lazy and proud. Christians take responsibility

A Romanian priest from Paris, who is also an elite physicist, spoke in an interview with Press One about conspiracy, because, “when I see someone say something stupid, I can’t resist showing them that they’re wrong” but also for the fact that this hurts his congregation. “Conspiracy self-justifies laziness and lack of initiative. This way…

Feb 17, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Fr. Ioan Pădurariu: As a hospital chaplain you are like a firefighter on duty

Celebrating his first anniversary as chaplain at St Spyridon’s Hospital in Iasi, Father Ioan Pădurariu spoke about his mission during the time of a pandemic, stressing that a hospital chaplain is “a kind of a firefighter on duty.” “In the sense that he must be present at any time in the hospital, in the morning,…

Feb 16, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu