Coronavirus pandemic

Volunteer student at Covid-19 Hospital: “I saw how it is to die alone. We should appreciate our family more”

Volunteering in a Covid-19 hospital is a transformative experience on a personal level, explained a medical student at the Lower Danube University of Galați. “I saw how it is to die in complete loneliness,” he said. “I think this vulnerability should make us appreciate more what really matters: family and friends.” Răzvan Iacob, a sixth-year…

Feb 15, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Italy’s Romanian Bishop offers his reflections in time of pandemic: We forgot that death is so close

In an interview published on the diocese’s website, Italy’s Romanian Bishop Siluan shares his thoughts on how the pandemic changed the life of the bishops, clergy and believers on the Peninsula. Adaptation, prayer, hope, eternal life are the keywords in the interview. Bishop Siluan referred to the loss of jobs and the pastoral methods that…

Feb 15, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Bucharest Orthodox Seminary thanks Patron Saint Gregory for fruitful activity in difficult year of pandemic

His Grace Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova Monday celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Radu Voda Monastery in Bucharest to honour Saint Gregory the Theologian, the patron saint of theology schools. The staff and students of the Orthodox Seminary in Bucharest gathered in prayer to thank their patron saint for helping them carry out their activities…

Jan 29, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel awards Patriarchate’s diploma, medal to 27 COVID hospital units in Bucharest Archdiocese

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel ended the Commemorative Year of the Romanian Orthodox Philanthropists by signing, on the last day of the year, diplomas of merit for 27 public and private medical units in Bucharest and Ilfov and Prahova counties, which treat COVID-19 patients. The gesture of the Patriarch of Romania is one of honour and…

Jan 8, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Teofan hopes 2021 will be “a time of more courage, more closeness to God”

In his New Year’s message, Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina urged everyone to be closer to God. He urged more hope that God would not leave us and that the Mother of God would not forsake us. “Holy joy, a blessed end of the year, and the coming year to be a time of…

Dec 30, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

We are called to embody the gifts on Nativity in works of benevolence and charity, Patriarch of Antioch says in Christmas message

In his pastoral letter for Christmas, Patriarch John X of Antioch sent a message of hope, consolation and trust. The Divine Infant brings hope and trust, and we are called to welcome Him with the gifts of our good deeds in favour of those in need. “In the night of the present times, here comes…

Dec 24, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch’s Christmas Message: Pandemic does not affect the innermost relationship of the faithful with Christ

In his Christmas message, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew stressed that the Christmas Fast – the journey to the great feast of the Nativity of the Saviour – was different this year in terms of external conditions caused by the pandemic, but all this does not affect the innermost relationship of the faithful with Christ. Our church…

Dec 24, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s Christmas Encyclical 2020: full text

Please find below the full text of the pastoral letter of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania on the feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ 2020: † DANIEL By God’s Grace, Archbishop of Bucharest, Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrudja, Locum tenens of the throne of Caesarea of Cappadocia and Patriarch of the…

Dec 15, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

US Embassy in Chisinau congratulates Metropolis of Bessarabia for philanthropic work during pandemic

The philanthropic work carried out by the Orthodox Metropolis of Bessarabia during the coronavirus pandemic was praised by the Embassy of the United States of America (USA) in Chisinau. Congratulations were conveyed by Robert Keane, Human Rights Officer at the US Embassy to the Republic of Moldova, during a virtual meeting with the Metropolitan’s representative,…

Oct 29, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Teofan warns against religious freedom violations as only locals can venerate relics of St. Parascheva

Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina has warned against the violation of religious freedom rights as authorities decided that only people domiciled in Iași are allowed to enter the Metropolitan Cathedral and venerate the holy relics of Saint Parascheva. “Moldavia is currently living one of the saddest periods in its history.” The Metropolitan released a…

Oct 9, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

To to preserve religious freedom, sanitary measures must be taken with the utmost discernment: Patriarchate’s Spokesperson

The spokesman of the Romanian Patriarchate Vasile Bănescu reacted to the decision by which the National Committee for Emergency Situations (CNSU) announced that organizing events on religious holidays is allowed only with the participation of those who live or reside in that specific locality. The measure was motivated by the fact that the risk of…

Oct 8, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu