Nativity of the Lord

Patriarch Daniel’s Christmas Message 2022: The Almighty became a humble Child. Innocence is His power now

In a video message for this year’s feast of the Nativity of the Lord, the Patriarch of Romania recalled that the Infant Jesus is “the peaceful joy that gushes forth from God’s humble and merciful love,” which calls us to show humble and merciful love towards our neighbours. Patriarch Daniel’s Message for Christmas 2022 and…

Dec 21, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia Metropolitan Petru urges respect for all born and unborn children in his Christmas encyclical

“The Church defends the unborn life because it looks with love to every woman who must give birth to children,” Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia notes in his Christmas encyclical. “God’s sign is the child,” His Eminence explains referring to the sign promised by God to the Prophet Isiah and by the angels to the shepherds.…

Jan 7, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Offer Christ your most precious gifts, not only at Christmas but throughout life

On the Nativity of the Lord, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel urged the faithful to offer Christ their most precious gifts not only at Christmas but every day of their lives. The gifts of the faithful During his sermon on Christmas day, the Patriarch of Romania explained that Christ does not want us to bring gold,…

Dec 25, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

5 key quotes from Patriarch Justinian’s first Christmas encyclical (1948)

In his first Christmas encyclical in 1948, Romania’s third Patriarch Justinian Marina emphasized that the news of the Nativity did not resonate in marble palaces, but in the pure hearts of the poor, of those who worked without rest. 1. As we prepare to honour, according to tradition, the great feast of the Incarnation of…

Dec 24, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s Christmas Message 2021: Let’s pay special attention to children whose parents work abroad | VIDEO

In this year’s Christmas message, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasizes that Christmas urges us to pay more attention to children whose parents have gone to work abroad. Patriarch Daniel’s Christmas Message 2021: full text The Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ or Christmas announces to us the humble and generous love of…

Dec 23, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

A virtual iconostasis: 12 iconographic representations related to the Lord’s Nativity

As the feast of the Nativity of the Lord draws near, we publish a selection of twelve icons depicting the moments that precede and follow this important event in the history of the salvation of the human race. “The Orthodox icon is also a call to prayer. The icon is not placed in the church…

Dec 14, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

2021 Romfilatelia Christmas stamps show Bucur Ciobanul Church icons of Theotokos

Special stamps have been issued by Romfilatelia for Christmas this year, with the design telling the story of the Nativity of the Lord painted at the beginning of the eighteenth century by the iconographer Ioan. The stamps see Virgin Mary cradling the newborn Jesus in the iconostasis of Bucur Ciobanul Church in Bucharest that dates…

Nov 29, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel explains connection between Flight into Egypt and birth of monasticism: Christ turns exile into a blessing

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel attended the Divine Liturgy at the historical chapel of his patriarchal residence on the Sunday after the Nativity of the Lord. His Beatitude explained the gospel passage’s spiritual meanings about the Flight of the Child Jesus into Egypt in his homily. Egypt, a country of idolatry and slavery, would become several…

Dec 28, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Dainel at Christmas Liturgy: Let us bring gifts like the Magi!

Patriarch Daniel celebrated the Christmas Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest on Friday. In his homily, Patriarch Daniel explained the significance of the Magi’s gifts and what type of ‘gold, myrrh and frankincense’ we can bring to the Infant Jesus and to our peers. Concelebrants for the Divine Liturgy included the Patriarch’s auxiliary…

Dec 25, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s Christmas Message 2020: Show signs of hope, peace, and joy!

In his Christmas message this year, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel recalls that ‘humanity facing the new coronavirus is going through a difficult period as regards human life and health.’ That is why we need ‘much prayer, solidarity and brotherly help.’ Patriarch Daniel highlights that ‘the light of the Infant Jesus born in Bethlehem calls us…

Dec 24, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

We are called to embody the gifts on Nativity in works of benevolence and charity, Patriarch of Antioch says in Christmas message

In his pastoral letter for Christmas, Patriarch John X of Antioch sent a message of hope, consolation and trust. The Divine Infant brings hope and trust, and we are called to welcome Him with the gifts of our good deeds in favour of those in need. “In the night of the present times, here comes…

Dec 24, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu