hesychasm

Holy Synod canonises Saint Theophano Basarab, first known Romanian nun

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church announced on Thursday the canonization of Venerable Theopahno Basarab from Albotina monastery (Vidin), a contemporary with St. Gregory Palamas and disciple of St. Theodosius the Hesychast. She is the first Romanian nun known in history. The day of celebration will be October 28, when the Saint is…

Feb 18, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

They protect us in 2022: The Saints who prayed unceasingly to God

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has decided that 2022 will be the Commemorative Year of the Holy Hesychasts Symeon the New Theologian, Gregory Palamas and Paisius Velichkovsky of Neamț in the Romanian Patriarchate. Hesychasm is an ascetic practice of monastic origin that involves the constant repetition of the Jesus prayer: “Lord, Jesus…

Jan 11, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel proclaims 2022 Solemn Year of Prayer, Commemorative Year of Hesychast Saints

The first Divine Liturgy in 2022 at the Patriarchal Cathedral ended with the proclamation of the solemn and commemorative themes of the New Year. Therefore, 2022 was proclaimed a Solemn Year of prayer in the Church’s life and the Christian’s life and a Commemorative Year of the Hesychast Saints Symeon the New Theologian, Gregory Palamas…

Jan 1, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod meets for first time in 2021, urges responsibility during celebration of Holy Mysteries

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held its working session at the Patriarchal Palace under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on Thursday, February 25, 2021. The Holy Synod elected by secret ballot the Very Reverend Archimandrite Nichifor Horia as Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Iasi. The new hierarch will bear…

Feb 25, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

10 Saints Gregory in the calendar: How to tell them apart

The name Gregory is mentioned ten times in the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church, four of which in November. Every time this name is linked to a saintly person who embraced the monastic life. Etymologically, the name Gregory comes from Greek and it means ‘vigilant,’ ‘watchful,’ ‘alert.’ The name also became associated with Latin grex (stem greg–)…

Nov 18, 2020Aurelian 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

Through the Transfiguration God’s glory is conveyed to humans, Patriarch Daniel says

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel attended the Divine Liturgy celebrated on the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord at St George chapel of his patriarchal residence during which he spoke about how God’s glory is conveyed to humans through the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. The Transfiguration is the feast of glory and joy, the feast…

Aug 7, 2017Aurelian Iftimiu