repentance

Orthodox Christians to begin Great Lent on Feb. 23 as Pascha falls on April 12

In about a month, on February 23, Orthodox Christians will enter Great Lent, also known as the Great Fast. The Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord (Holy Pascha) will be celebrated on April 12 this year. On February 1, the liturgical season of the Triodion begins, including three preparatory weeks for Great Lent, followed…

Jan 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel remembers four hesychast saints he knew, founders of Romania’s Patriarchate

During the opening of the Autumn Pastoral-Missionary Conference of the Archdiocese of Bucharest on Tuesday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel remembered four great hesychast elders and confessors of the 20th century — Saint Cleopas Ilie, Saint Paisius Olaru, Saint Dumitru Stăniloae, and Saint Sofian of Antim — all of whom he personally knew. The Patriarch said…

Nov 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Iustin urges prayer and repentance in Romania – „the Garden of the Mother of God”

At the beginning of the Dormition Fast, Bishop Iustin of Maramureș and Sătmar delivered a pastoral message urging priests, monastics, and faithful to dedicate themselves to prayer, repentance, and active participation in church services, while recalling that Romania is traditionally known as the “Garden of the Mother of God.” In his message, Bishop Iustin described…

Aug 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox bishops in Germany issue pastoral letter on the meaning of Great Lent

Orthodox bishops in Germany have addressed the faithful through a pastoral letter, emphasizing the spiritual significance of Great Lent: “Our world is marked by wars, crises, and injustices. Many people experience persecution, violence, and fear. During this time, we, as Christians, are called not only to pray for peace but also to act actively in…

Mar 7, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

The Great Canon is humanity’s collective cry for repentance, Bishop Paisie of Sinaia says

On the second evening of Great Lent, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia officiated the Great Compline with the Great Canon at the Patriarchal Cathedral, describing it as “the dialogue of the sinful man with his own conscience before God.” Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie continued this penitential canon “is not the repentance of…

Mar 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești praises Great Canon and calls for deeper repentance

On Monday evening, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești praised the Great Canon and its author, Saint Andrew of Crete, emphasizing the importance of both its message and regular recitation. After reading the first part of the Great Canon at the Patriarchal Cathedral, His Grace cited Archimandrite Teofil Părăian of Sâmbăta de Sus, who lamented…

Mar 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

The one who fasts breaks the infernal cycle of desire and pleasure, Archbishop Irineu says

“The one who fasts breaks the infernal cycle of desire and pleasure, hunger and satiety, redirecting their longing toward contemplating heavenly realities. This helps them walk in the renewal of life (Romans 6:4), living as a child of the resurrection (Luke 20:36),” Archbishop Irineu of Alba Iulia emphasized in a message on Clean Monday at…

Mar 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Great Lent is a spiritual spring and a path to renewal

“Great Lent is considered a spiritual spring, a renewal of the soul, which is why it coincides with the calendar spring,” said Patriarch Daniel of Romania on Clean Monday evening during the first service dedicated to the Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete. His Beatitude emphasized that the significance of fasting lies in spiritual…

Mar 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ignatie calls for a “media fast” as part of Lenten discipline: Internet addiction steals our peace

On Sunday, His Grace Bishop Ignatie of Huși officiated the Forgiveness Vespers at the diocesan Cathedral in Huși, once again urging the faithful to observe a media fast during Lent. “Fasting is more than just abstaining from food—it is a healing process from our pathological dependencies, particularly our addiction to digital media,” said the bishop.…

Mar 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s homily: A Gospel of forgiveness for the repentant sinner and a call to soften the unforgiving pious man

On Sunday, Patriarch Daniel of Romania described the Parable of the Prodigal Son as “a Gospel of forgiveness for the repentant sinner and a call to soften the unforgiving pious man”. Speaking at the Patriarchal Cathedral, His Beatitude emphasized that the Church has placed this parable on the second Sunday of the Triodion period as…

Feb 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

God changes hearts through His overwhelming goodness, not punishment, Patriarch Daniel says

“God wants to change the hearts and lives of people not so much through punishment, illness, troubles, or rebukes, but especially through His overwhelming goodness,” said Patriarch Daniel on Sunday in his sermon about Zacchaeus, the tax collector. “Since the Lord Christ did not rebuke Zacchaeus but honoured him with a visit to his house,…

Jan 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu