Romanian Saints

Romanian nun urges simplicity and prayer, recalls life of her sister who became Saint Elizabeth of Pasărea

“Let us seek simplicity and strive to acquire prayer, so that in times of trial we may be able to fight,” says Nun Nectaria Lazăr of Pasărea Monastery in Ilfov County, the biological sister of Saint Elizabeth of Pasărea, in a feature report for the newspaper of the Romanian Patriarchate. The nun recalled her childhood…

Feb 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox diocese in Ireland and Iceland hosts lecture on Romanian holy women in Dublin

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Ireland and Iceland on Saturday hosted a lecture titled “Holy Women of the Romanian People as Models of Life” at the Diocesan Cathedral of Dublin, delivered by Prof. Dr George Enache. The lecture presented key moments and spiritual landmarks from the lives of Romanian holy women—martyrs, monastics, Christian wives and…

Feb 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel says 16 Romanian Holy Women are the spiritual mothers of the nation

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel delivered an official address on Friday morning, 6 February, during the solemn proclamation of the canonisation of 16 Romanian Women Saints, held at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, in the presence of the members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church. In his message, the Patriarch described the newly…

Feb 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Holy Synod designates 2027 Church Year, approves youth summit and new liturgical texts

On Friday, 6 February 2026, the working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church was held in the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest, under the chairmanship of Patriarch Daniel. The Holy Synod adopted a number of decisions concerning pastoral and missionary activity, including the following: It declared…

Feb 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church proclaims canonisation of 16 Holy Women in Bucharest ceremony

The general proclamation of the canonisation of the 16 Romanian holy women took place on Friday at the Patriarchal Cathedral. The solemn ceremony was held towards the end of the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Patriarch Daniel, together with the members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The official act of proclamation of…

Feb 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Last memorial service for 16 Romanian Holy Women: Holiness is open to every Christian, Bishop says

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiesti on Thursday evening officiated the final memorial service for the 16 newly canonised Romanian holy women, stressing that “holiness is accessible to every Christian who desires it and seeks it at any time”. The service was held at the Patriarchal Cathedral and was preceded by Great Vespers. Bishop Varlaam…

Feb 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox National Church Council meets in Bucharest, Patriarch Daniel reviews 2025 activities

The National Church Council of the Romanian Orthodox Church met on Wednesday at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest. On this occasion, Patriarch Daniel presented the activity report of the Romanian Orthodox Church for 2025. The summary report, entitled “The Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate, the New Romanian Saints and the Consecration of the Iconography of…

Feb 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church to proclaim canonisation of 16 holy women in Bucharest: Schedule

The liturgical events at the Patriarchal Cathedral of “Saints Constantine and Helen” in Bucharest, marking the general proclamation of the canonisation of 16 Romanian holy women, will take place according to the following schedule: On Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., at the Patriarchal Cathedral, at the conclusion of Vespers, the final memorial service…

Jan 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Cross-border Orthodox liturgy held in Iași for Saint Joseph the Merciful

The feast of Saint Joseph the Merciful brought together Orthodox hierarchs from both sides of the Prut River on Monday in Iași. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Metropolitan Cathedral by Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina, together with Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia, Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia, and Assistant Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani…

Jan 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Relics of St Elizabeth exhumed at Pasărea Monastery, bishop praises her example

“The face of Schema-nun Elisabeta (Lazăr) shines like the example and life of the hermits of old. She urges each of us to value time and dedicate as much of it as possible to the Lord,” said Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova from the Archdiocese of Bucharest, on Friday, January 16, at Pasărea Monastery in…

Jan 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

A year in review: Key decisions of the Romanian Orthodox Holy Synod in 2025

In a landmark year marking the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church adopted decisions that reshaped the Church’s liturgical calendar, pastoral priorities and institutional life. From the canonisation of new saints to the consecration of the National Cathedral’s iconography and key administrative reforms, 2025 stood out as one…

Dec 23, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu