New Year 2025

Romanian Community in Cyprus holds Vasilopita cutting tradition: An act of communion

The Romanian community in Cyprus held its annual Vasilopita cutting event, a local tradition dedicated to honouring Saint Basil the Great. The event was organized last week at the headquarters of the Romanian Alliance in Cyprus. Father Petre Matei, the priest of the Romanian Orthodox community in Cyprus, conducted the service preceding the cutting of…

Jan 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanians in Zagreb begin the New Year united in prayer during the Epiphany Season

During the Epiphany season, Romanians in Zagreb gathered in prayer to usher in the New Year at the city’s Romanian church. The liturgical program began last Saturday evening with the Great Vespers service and continued on Sunday through Tuesday with the Divine Liturgy. Following Sunday’s Liturgy, Fr. Nicolae Ceruță, the parish priest of the Romanian…

Jan 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Ioachim welcomes New Year: Embrace silence, live the present, be aware of God’s presence!

On New Year’s Eve, when joy often expresses itself in noisy celebrations, the Roman Archdiocesan Cathedral emphasized the importance of silence. “It is crucial to embrace silence and live in the present, fully aware of God’s presence in our lives,” said Archbishop Ioachim. “God is an eternal present. When we enter the moment suspended between…

Jan 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

“Our participation in New Year’s celebrations should reflect eternal, not temporary values,” says Archbishop of Suceava

At the start of 2025, Archbishop Calinic of Suceava and Rădăuți emphasized a spiritual perspective on New Year’s celebrations, stating, “Our participation in New Year’s Eve should follow different coordinates and expectations than the temporary ones.” These guiding principles, he noted, are provided by Saint Paul: “Rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be…

Jan 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada highlights significant historical moments for Romanian and Universal Orthodoxy in 2025

Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada emphasized that we have entered a year with significant historical moments for Romanian and universal Orthodoxy. Three of these moments directly concern the Romanian Orthodox Church, while the fourth pertains to the Orthodox Church as a whole. His Grace referred to the celebration of the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate…

Jan 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Hundreds mark the New Year 2025 with prayer at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest

Hundreds of faithful entered 2025 in prayer, gathering at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest to join in the thanksgiving service led by His Grace Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova. The Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bucharest shared the message of Patriarch Daniel, who reminded attendees that “the Church encourages us to approach each moment…

Jan 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania’s New Year 2025 Message: Sanctify Time and Place to Enter the Kingdom of Heaven

On New Year’s Eve, the Patriarch of Romania delivered a message reminding Christians of their calling to sanctify the place and time on earth as preparation for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. The Patriarch’s message was read by Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova during the service held Tuesday night at the Patriarchal Cathedral. In his…

Jan 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel shares message of peace and joy for Christmas and New Year: A celebration of humble, generous love

In his annual Christmas video message, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasized the spirit of “humble and generous love, peace, and joy” that accompanies the celebration of Christ’s Nativity. Patriarch Daniel highlighted the biblical narrative where angels announced the birth of Jesus with the proclamation, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill…

Dec 21, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu