Romanian Hesychasm

Small Digital Matericon: Romanian Women Who Loved God (I)

In anticipation of the year 2026, declared the Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the Calendar by the Romanian Patriarchate, we turn our attention to several notable figures of Romanian women who lived their lives with deep faith and dedication to God, becoming models of holiness. These women, through their virtuous lives, left a lasting…

Jun 12, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

140 years since the birth of Father John the Stranger, a key figure in the Burning Bush hesychast movement

One hundred forty years have passed since the birth of Father John the Stranger, a priest who introduced the Jesus Prayer to the Bucharest-based Burning Bush hesychast movement, as he had learned it from the elders of Optina Monastery. “John the Stranger” is the name by which Father Ioann Kulygin, born on February 24, 1885,…

Feb 24, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint George of Cernica’s feast day: This celebration matters only if we leave determined to purify our souls

On Tuesday, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Cernica Monastery in honour of Saint George, the monastery’s founder. The Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop emphasized that the significance of this feast lies in the commitment to spiritual cleansing. “The celebration here is meaningful and fulfils its purpose only if we…

Dec 5, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod Library marks 60th anniversary of the repose of hesychast elder Daniil Sandu Tudor

The Library of the Holy Synod organised an event last Thursday to mark the 60th anniversary of the blessed repose of hieroschemamonk Daniil Sandu Tudor, the founder of the unique spiritual movement called the Burning Bush (Rugul Aprins). A radio play titled “Sandu Tudor – The Flower of Fire of the Burning Bush” was heard.…

Nov 24, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel explains why the Hesychasts were the most sought-after spiritual fathers and what is a prayerful reason

After investing thirteen priests from the Archdiocese of Bucharest as spiritual fathers, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel explained why today people need more than ever prayerful priests. “Prayer that enables the mind to descend into the heart brings us peace and sets the praying reason in opposition to the rebellious reason,” Patriarch Daniel said during a…

Aug 18, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania celebrates 35th anniversary of his monastic tonsure at Cernica Monastery

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel attended the patronal feast of Cernica Monastery on Saturday, August 6. The monastic community congratulated the Patriarch of Romania on the 35th anniversary of his monastic tonsure. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel attended the Divine Liturgy celebrated by an assembly of priests, including Archimandrite Nectarie Șofelea, Exarch of the monasteries of the…

Aug 10, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: The Tabor Light, perceived by the Hesychasts, is sought by every Christian enlightened at baptism

The light that appeared on Mount Tabor at the Saviour’s Transfiguration “is the light that every Christian enlightened at baptism by water and the Holy Spirit seeks,” Patriarch Daniel said Saturday. Fruit of prayer and a symbol of hesychasm, this light “is given to those who pray much and live a Christian life of fasting,…

Aug 9, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu