Holy Women

Orthodox bishops in Germany adopt new guidelines on handling abuse cases

Orthodox bishops in Germany have adopted new guidelines and procedural rules for handling cases of abuse and sexual harassment within the framework of the Conference of Orthodox Bishops in Germany (OBKD). According to a press release, the canonical Orthodox bishops in Germany held a working session on 7 March at the diocesan centre of the…

Mar 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania marks first official Women’s Month following parliamentary approval

Sunday marked the beginning of Women’s Month in Romania, the first year the observance is being officially celebrated after Parliament approved the initiative and it was promulgated by President Nicușor Dan. According to the explanatory memorandum accompanying the adopted legislation, the law aims to highlight “the positive impact women have had on Romanian society in…

Mar 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church proclaims canonisation of 16 Holy Women in Bucharest ceremony

The general proclamation of the canonisation of the 16 Romanian holy women took place on Friday at the Patriarchal Cathedral. The solemn ceremony was held towards the end of the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Patriarch Daniel, together with the members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The official act of proclamation of…

Feb 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church to proclaim canonisation of 16 holy women in Bucharest: Schedule

The liturgical events at the Patriarchal Cathedral of “Saints Constantine and Helen” in Bucharest, marking the general proclamation of the canonisation of 16 Romanian holy women, will take place according to the following schedule: On Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., at the Patriarchal Cathedral, at the conclusion of Vespers, the final memorial service…

Jan 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Digital Matericon: Women Saints of January (II)

This second January instalment of Digital Matericon continues our monthly series dedicated to the women saints commemorated in the Orthodox calendar. Because January contains an especially rich number of holy women—martyrs, monastics, ascetics, mothers, confessors, and “fools for Christ”—the month is presented in two parts, allowing each figure to be remembered with due attention. In…

Jan 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel proclaims Solemn and Commemorative Year 2026, highlights Church’s role in strengthening the Christian family

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel offered a New Year’s message on January 1, following the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, during a solemn ceremony marking the proclamation of 2026 as the Solemn Year of the Pastoral Care of the Christian Family and the Commemorative Year of the Holy Women of the Church calendar…

Jan 5, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel marks 18 years as Head of Romanian Church, urges Europe to uphold Christian values

On the 18th anniversary of his enthronement, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church emphasised the need to emphasise spiritual values in order to live eternally in the love, peace, and joy of the Holy Trinity, as both Romanians and Europeans. “We must also emphasise the spiritual values that help us not only to live…

Sep 30, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod approves canonizations, episcopal elections, and new liturgical feast

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held its working session in the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 1–2, 2025, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The Holy Synod adopted several decisions related to pastoral and missionary activity, including: The canonization of 16 women…

Jul 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod approves canonization of 16 saintly women

The working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church was conducted in the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. During the session, the Holy Synod approved the canonization of sixteen women with a holy life, including martyrs,…

Jul 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

16 saintly women to be canonized by Romanian Patriarchate, Patriarch Daniel announces

The Romanian Patriarchate will canonize 16 female saints in 2026, as part of the Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the Church Calendar, according to announcements made by Patriarch Daniel on Monday evening during the working session of the Metropolitan Synod of the Metropolis of Muntenia and Dobruja. A similar number of saints—16—were proclaimed during…

Jul 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Alexandra Nadane: 2026 Commemorative Year will illuminate the spiritual paths for women

The 2026 Commemorative Year “will bring a greater societal understanding of the spiritual paths available to women,” said Alexandra Nadane, executive director of the Association for the Support of Pregnant Women and Families. “I was very pleased to hear that the Holy Synod has declared 2026 as the Solemn Year of Christian Family Pastoral Care…

Nov 1, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu