Holy Chrism

Patriarch Daniel: Holy Eucharist and Chrism symbolize Christ’s sacrificial and merciful love

“Both the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Chrism symbolize the sacrificial, humble, and merciful love of Christ,” said Patriarch Daniel of Romania on Holy Thursday, during the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the outdoor altar of the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest. The liturgy was celebrated together with members of the Holy Synod and included the consecration…

Apr 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Synod consecrates Holy Chrism for 23rd time in historic Holy Thursday Liturgy

On Holy Thursday, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church consecrated the Holy Chrism for the 23rd time during the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the outdoor altar of the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest. The event was part of a broader series of celebrations marking the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate. The consecration of Holy…

Apr 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel blesses start of Chrism preparation, calls it a sign of reverence for Christ the sacrificial

On Monday morning, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel officiated the blessing of the ingredients and vessels in which the Holy and Great Chrism will be prepared and stored. “It expresses the Church’s reverence for Christ the sacrificial,” declared the Patriarch of Romania at the end of the service. After its preparation, the chrism will be transported…

Apr 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel on Palm Sunday: The most precious myrrh offered to Christ is the soul of the faithful

On Palm Sunday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel spoke about the gifts the Church offers to Christ, emphasizing that the greatest of these is the soul of the faithful and merciful believer. In his sermon delivered at the “St. George” Chapel of the Patriarchal Residence, His Beatitude reflected on the significance of the Anointing at Bethany.…

Apr 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church to consecrate Holy Chrism ahead of autocephaly anniversary

On Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025, just days before the 140th anniversary of the recognition of its autocephaly, the Romanian Orthodox Church will consecrate the Holy and Great Chrism for the 23rd time. The event, marked by special solemnity, is part of the Romanian Patriarchate’s Centennial Year program. Before consecration, the Great Chrism is prepared…

Apr 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Mediterranean plant used to prepare Holy Chrism, acclimatised at Buzău Plant Genetic Resources Bank

Agerpres reports that the Plant Genetic Resources Bank (BRGV) in Buzău has acclimatised a Mediterranean plant, Cistus ladanifer, also known as the gum rockrose, from which one of the essential oils used in preparing the Holy Chrism is extracted. “We were afraid that the winter frost might affect it, but no, it adapted very well.…

May 23, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Chrism is the foundation and the source of the sanctification of Church life, Patriarch Daniel says

After leading the sanctification of the Holy Chrism on Maundy Thursday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel spoke about its meaning and use in the Orthodox Church, noting that the Holy Chrism is ‘the foundation and the source of the sanctification of Church life’. On Thursday, April 25, 2019, the Patriarch of Romania together with other hierarchs…

Apr 26, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Basilica Photos: Vesperal Divine Liturgy on Maundy Thursday & Sanctification of Holy Chrism

The members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church gathered on Maundy Thursday at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest to celebrate the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil, during which the Holy Chrism was sanctified. Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu

Apr 26, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Chrism sanctified on 134th anniversary of autocephaly of Romanian Orthodox Church

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel together with the members of the Holy Synod officiated the sanctification of the Holy Chrism at the Patriarchal Cathedral on Maundy Thursday, marking the 134th anniversary of autocephaly of the Romanian Orthodox Church. On April 25, 1885, Ecumenical Patriarch Joachim IV issued the patriarchal tomos by which the Romanian Orthodox Church…

Apr 26, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

In pictures: Preparation of the Holy Chrism during Holy Week

His Eminence Metropolitan Laurentiu of Transylvania led the work of preparing Holy Chrism during the Holy Week at the All Romanian Saints Monastery in Bucharest. The preparation began on Monday morning, April 22, 2019, with Patriarch Daniel blessing the ingredients before preparation and Holy Week services got underway. Wednesday afternoon, the cooking concluded and the…

Apr 25, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Everything that is beautiful in the church is a sign of Christ’s adoration: Patriarch of Romania on Palm Sunday

The Patriarch of Romania during the Divine Liturgy on Palm Sunday told the faithful that the beautiful vestments, liturgical objects, icons and painting are signs of Christ’s adoration, which does not oppose the care for the poor as the Saviour Himself said. Patriarch Daniel explained this fact by recalling that Mary took a pound of…

Apr 22, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu