Great Lent 2025

Orthodox hierarchs unite for pan-Orthodox Vespers in Chicago

On the eve of the first Sunday of Lent, the Greek Orthodox Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Chicago became a beacon of living faith and Orthodox unity. Faithful from across the metropolitan area, along with their clergy and hierarchs, gathered to venerate the holy icons and participate in a Pan-Orthodox Vespers service…

Mar 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel on First Sunday of Lent: The Orthodox icon is a confession of true faith

In his sermon on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasized the theological significance of holy icons, declaring, “The Orthodox Icon is a confession of the true faith, a testimony to the divinity of Jesus Christ, who became man for the salvation of humankind.” Speaking at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, the Primate of…

Mar 10, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox bishops in Germany issue pastoral letter on the meaning of Great Lent

Orthodox bishops in Germany have addressed the faithful through a pastoral letter, emphasizing the spiritual significance of Great Lent: “Our world is marked by wars, crises, and injustices. Many people experience persecution, violence, and fear. During this time, we, as Christians, are called not only to pray for peace but also to act actively in…

Mar 7, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Pastoral Letter of the Holy Synod for the Sunday of Orthodoxy 2025

In its traditional pastoral letter for the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church emphasizes the pedagogical role of holy icons, which serve as guides leading to Christ, the Source of all holiness. Within the context of the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate, the Synod states: “For us, Romanians, the Sunday…

Mar 7, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Great Lent 2025: Bishop Ioan Casian speaks on forgiveness and detachment from material things

On Forgiveness Sunday, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Episcopal Cathedral in Saint-Hubert, Canada, delivering a message to the faithful on forgiveness and detachment from material things. “In today’s Gospel passage, our Lord Jesus Christ prepares us for the upcoming liturgical period of Great Lent,” the bishop said. Continuing his…

Mar 7, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Theology Professor: Digital platforms can be Jacob’s Ladder, but cannot replace the Eucharist

At the beginning of Great Lent, the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Cluj-Napoca shared a series of reflections on Christian mission in the digital space, written by Rev. Professor Cristian Sonea. “Digital platforms can be ‘Jacob’s Ladder,’ a means of guiding people toward a real encounter with Christ in the Church, but they cannot replace…

Mar 7, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

7 spiritual lessons on fasting from Saint Liviu Galaction of Cluj

Recently canonized by the Romanian Orthodox Church, Saint Liviu Galaction of Cluj offers a profound understanding of Christian fasting, seen not merely as abstaining from certain foods but as a true spiritual struggle. The selected quotes reflect the essential dimensions of fasting and have been chosen symbolically, corresponding to the seven weeks of Great Lent.…

Mar 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

The Great Canon is humanity’s collective cry for repentance, Bishop Paisie of Sinaia says

On the second evening of Great Lent, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia officiated the Great Compline with the Great Canon at the Patriarchal Cathedral, describing it as “the dialogue of the sinful man with his own conscience before God.” Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie continued this penitential canon “is not the repentance of…

Mar 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești praises Great Canon and calls for deeper repentance

On Monday evening, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești praised the Great Canon and its author, Saint Andrew of Crete, emphasizing the importance of both its message and regular recitation. After reading the first part of the Great Canon at the Patriarchal Cathedral, His Grace cited Archimandrite Teofil Părăian of Sâmbăta de Sus, who lamented…

Mar 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

The one who fasts breaks the infernal cycle of desire and pleasure, Archbishop Irineu says

“The one who fasts breaks the infernal cycle of desire and pleasure, hunger and satiety, redirecting their longing toward contemplating heavenly realities. This helps them walk in the renewal of life (Romans 6:4), living as a child of the resurrection (Luke 20:36),” Archbishop Irineu of Alba Iulia emphasized in a message on Clean Monday at…

Mar 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Great Lent is a spiritual spring and a path to renewal

“Great Lent is considered a spiritual spring, a renewal of the soul, which is why it coincides with the calendar spring,” said Patriarch Daniel of Romania on Clean Monday evening during the first service dedicated to the Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete. His Beatitude emphasized that the significance of fasting lies in spiritual…

Mar 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu