Romanian Hesychasm

Romanian Orthodox Church adds ‘Burning Bush’ Mother of God icon to liturgical calendar

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has added the Icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush” to the Church’s liturgical calendar, establishing 4 September as its annual feast day. The decision was adopted during the Synod’s meeting on 2 July. The feast was set for 4 September because the Church also…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel hails Saint Mavra of Ceahlău as icon of unceasing prayer and steadfast humility

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania on Monday delivered a message marking the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Mavra of Ceahlău, presenting the 17th–18th century ascetic as a model of unceasing prayer and humility for contemporary believers. In his address, the Patriarch highlighted the saint’s role in the early development of hesychast spirituality…

May 6, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

11 years since the repose of Archim. Roman Braga, confessor of the Jesus Prayer and witness through exile

Wednesday, April 29, marks 11 years since the repose of Archimandrite Roman Braga, the Bessarabian-born confessor who began practising the Jesus Prayer through the Burning Bush spiritual gatherings at Antim Monastery in Bucharest, endured communist imprisonment twice in Romania, and later served the Church in exile. Born in 1922 in Condrița, Bessarabia, Fr Roman entered…

Apr 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

80 years since Romania’s ‘Burning Bush’ hesychast movement began

The Library of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has marked 80 years since the official launch of the “Burning Bush” spiritual movement at Antim Monastery in Bucharest, commemorating the anniversary in a social media post. In a petition addressed to Patriarch Nicodim and dated 12 February 1946, several Christian lay intellectuals requested…

Feb 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel marks name day, highlights hesychasm and National Cathedral chapel dedicated to Romanian ascetics

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel marked his name day on Thursday, the feast of Saint Daniel the Hesychast, on which occasion he spoke about hesychasm as God’s gift of uncreated light to those who call upon Him, as well as about the chapel located in the basement of the National Cathedral, placed under the patronage of…

Dec 19, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania marks Centenary of Theologian and Archimandrite Andrei Scrima, key figure of the “Burning Bush” hesychast movement

Archimandrite Andrei Scrima, a leading figure of the “Burning Bush” hesychast movement, was born 100 years ago on 1 December 1925 in Gheorgheni, Harghita County. He studied in Bucharest, following an extensive intellectual path that included mathematics, philosophy and theology. Scrima became the assistant of philosopher Anton Dumitriu, through whom he encountered the “Burning Bush”…

Dec 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Ambassador highlights St Dumitru Stăniloae hesychast theology at Vatican Conference

Romania’s Ambassador to the Holy See and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, George Bologan, delivered a lecture at the Vatican on Wednesday, discussing Romanian hesychast theology and tradition, with particular emphasis on the work of Saint Dumitru Stăniloae. Speaking at a conference organised by the “Carità politica” Association, Ambassador Bologan presented Romanian Orthodox spirituality…

Nov 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Assist. Bishop Timotei at Cernica: Saint Dumitru Stăniloae led a life of hidden asceticism and profound humility

The Confessor Priest Saint Dumitru Stăniloae led a life of unseen asceticism, profound humility, and tireless labour for the Church and his fellow human beings, said His Grace Timotei of Prahova, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, on Friday at Cernica Monastery. The official reception of the relics of Saint Dumitru Stăniloae took place…

Oct 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel blesses reliquary of Saint Dumitru Stăniloae ahead of local canonization at Cernica Monastery

Patriarch Daniel of Romania blessed on Thursday the reliquary that will house the relics of the Confessor Priest Saint Dumitru Stăniloae. On Saturday, Cernica Monastery will host the ceremonies marking the local proclamation of the saint’s canonization. “This beautiful reliquary, adorned in silver and gilded scenes, shows the devotion and esteem of our Church’s faithful…

Oct 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel honours Saints Paisius and Cleopas of Sihăstria as pillars of 20th century monasticism

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church marked the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saints Paisius Olaru and Cleopas Ilie on Thursday with a deeply spiritual tribute, calling them “two pillars of light between the mountains and heaven.” In a pastoral message occasioned by the celebrations at Sihăstria Monastery, the Patriarch of…

Aug 8, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian hesychast and anti-Communist Confessor Fr. Benedict Ghiuș remembered 35 years after his passing

Archimandrite Benedict Ghiuș, one of the founders of the “Burning Bush” Hesychast Movement, humbly reposed in the Lord on June 12, 1990. Born Vasile Ghiuș in 1904 in Domnești, Vrancea County, he studied at the Faculty of Theology in Cernăuți and later earned his doctorate in Strasbourg, France. In 1934, he embraced monastic life at…

Jun 12, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu