Orthodox Church

Youngest Romanian Bishop Benedict defines himself in relation to young people: I want to be one of them

A professor of Orthodox Spirituality at the Faculty of Theology in Cluj and the youngest Romanian hierarch, Bishop Benedict of Bistrița talked about his relationship with young people after a year in office. His Grace said that the year that passed since his ordination on February 23, 2020, was a time of his definition as…

Mar 2, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Barometer: Church, Army, Academy – first places in Romanians’ trust

The Church, the Army and the Romanian Academy occupy the first places in terms of the degree of trust granted by Romanians, according to the first barometer of the religious life in Romania, presented on Wednesday, December 16, in the Aula Magna of the Romanian Academy, Agerpres reports. According to the barometer, conducted by the…

Dec 22, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Authentic church calendars are not convertible into election material

The Romanian Patriarchate was surprised to learn that during the election campaign a political entity printed, in order to offer citizens as electoral material, Christian-Orthodox calendars that contain not only a political logo, but also liturgical and typicon mistakes, omissions or erroneous inscriptions of some recently canonized Romanian saints and of some religious holidays. Beyond…

Nov 26, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel encourages students sitting for national exams

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel sent a message of blessing and encouragement to all students sitting for final exams these days. More than 172,000 eighth grade students in Romania started the National Evaluation on Monday, June 15, and the authorities have prepared special measures for these exams, aimed at preventing and controlling the spread of the…

Jun 23, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: April 27 – May 3, 2020

Beyond restrictions, life goes on with the hope that things will soon come back to normal and we will be able to glorify God for giving us the strength to overcome this difficult period. Here is our selection of pictures from the Orthodox world during the previous week.  Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaNews and on…

May 4, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel thanks Pope Francis for medical equipment donated to Suceava Hospital

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel thanked Pope Francis in a letter sent on April 23 for the medical equipment donated to the St John the New Hospital in Suceava. The donation, consisting of five lung ventilators, 200 overalls, 900 FFP2 masks, and 5,000 sanitary masks, was offered on the feast day of Saint George the Trophy-bearer,…

Apr 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Basilica photos: The Lord’s Lamentations at the Patriarchal Cathedral – 2020

The Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești officiated the Lord’s Lamentations at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest on Friday, April 17, 2020. At the end of the service, His Grace led the traditional epitaph procession around the church. Follow us on Instagram: @basilica.ro Photography courtesy of: Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene

Apr 21, 2020Raluca-Emanuela Ene

Romanian Church intensifies prayer and action against coronavirus pandemic

The Romanian Patriarchate announced that over 1.48 million euros have been given to help those affected by the coronavirus pandemic in the country. Church intensifies prayer and action to help those affected by pandemic: Full text In the context of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and the state of national emergency, following the appeal of His…

Apr 9, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Church of Holy Sepulchre closed for one week. Orthodox Church to continue all services

Israeli authorities have decided to close the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for a week as a precaution against the coronavirus pandemic. The closure does not affect the divine services, which will be performed according to the normal schedule, in the absence of the faithful. The church was closed shortly after 5:00 PM yesterday, as…

Mar 26, 2020Gheorghe Anghel

Catechetical Homily of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the beginning of Holy and Great Lent, 2020

The Ecumenical Patriarchate has published Patriarch Bartholomew’s Catechetical Homily at the opening of Holy and Great Lent (2020). + BARTHOLOMEW BY GOD’S MERCY ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE – NEW ROME AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH TO THE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH, MAY THE GRACE AND PEACE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, TOGETHER WITH OUR PRAYER, BLESSING…

Feb 27, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Joint press statement following fraternal meeting of representatives of Orthodox Churches in Amman, Jordan

On February 26, 2020, a meeting of Primates and representatives of Local Orthodox Churches was held in Amman, Jordan, with the primary view of unity and reconciliation within Holy Orthodoxy. The participants noted their understanding of the anguish of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem for the imminent danger of schism within our Orthodox Communion. Participating in…

Feb 26, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu