Great Lent 2019

Romanian priest to sing at International Concert of Byzantine Music in Lebanon

A member of the Byzantion choir and priest within the Archdiocese of Bacau and Roman, Father Alexandru Grigoraş will perform during an International Concert of Byzantine Music that will take place on Friday, April 19, 2019, in Beirut, Lebanon. Church chanters from seven different countries will sing Lenten hymns in the capital of Lebanon during…

Apr 15, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint Mary of Egypt and the contemporary man

‘There is no sin which cannot be pardoned except that one which lacks repentance,’ says Saint Isaac the Syrian recalling the importance of repentance, which can offer the possibility of a new beginning in our spiritual life. We started with this quote because the fifth Sunday of Great Lent is dedicated to a Saint who…

Apr 9, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania: Holy Cross is the sign of triumph over sin, hell and death

On the third Sunday of Great Lent, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel offered his reflections on the Holy Cross as ‘the sign of crucifixion and spiritual feats’, as well as ‘the sign of triumph over sin, hell and death’. During his homily delivered at St Spyridon the New Cathedral in Bucharest on March 31, the Patriarch…

Apr 2, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia ‘Diaconia’ Social Mission launches Meal of Joy Eastern Campaign

The Diaconia Social Mission of the Metropolis of Bessarabia has launched the Eastern Campaign ‘Meal of Joy’ aiming to provide food for people in need. This campaign is aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing society to support elderly people, but also other people in need in the Republic of Moldova. Thanks to this project, over…

Mar 27, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

#StrongerThanDeath | Six ways to foster silence this Lent

We are on the threshold of the second Sunday of Great Lent dedicated to Saint Gregory Palamas also known as the theologian of the uncreated divine energies. Since the work of the Holy Archbishop of Thessalonica refers to contemplation, quietude, spiritual peace, we thought to list six ways to foster silence and implicitly calmness, as…

Mar 22, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: ‘Have mercy on me, o God’ is the call to the only source of eternal life – Christ

‘After every troparion of the Great Canon of Repentance of Saint Andrew of Crete we have this calling, this insistent supplication, as a breath of the Church: Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,’ Patriarch Daniel said at the end of the Great Canon officiated at the Patriarchal Cathedral on Clean Monday.…

Mar 14, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel of Romania offers three pieces of advice for Great Lent

On Cheesefare Sunday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania said that ‘fasting is an offering of man’s love brought to God’ and gave three fundamental pieces of advice for Christians to be able to bring this God-pleasing offering. ‘The Gospel reading of this Sunday has a major importance for the entire Lenten season,’ His Beatitude…

Mar 12, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

40 Patriarch Daniel Quotes for the Lenten Season

Orthodox Christians across the globe are entering Lent, the season of preparation before Easter. The 40-day period sees many Christians partake in a season of moderation, meditation, fasting, prayer and repentance. The exercises in discipline are undertaken to allow believers time to reflect on the life, words and sacrifices of our Saviour Jesus Christ. For…

Mar 11, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch’s Lenten Message focuses on ascetism as common vocation for all faithful

Ascetism takes center stage in Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s Lenten message this year, which represents a common vocation for all faithful without exception. ‘Asceticism is Christianity in its entirety,’ Patriarch Bartholomew wrote in his catechetical homily at the opening of Holy and Great Lent published March 4, 2019. ‘The purpose of ascesis is the transcendence of…

Mar 5, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

It’s not too early to start thinking about Great Lent!

This year, Great Lent begins on March 11. Because we are caught up in the agitation of everyday life, we often do not reflect on this Lenten season. Only a few days before Lent we realize that we have not the slightest plan to improve our spiritual life for Easter. In a society defined by…

Feb 12, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu