Saint John the Baptist

UNESCO adds Sebastia archaeological site in West Bank to World Heritage List

UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has inscribed the archaeological site of Sebastia in the West Bank on the World Heritage List. The decision was adopted during the Committee’s 48th session, held in Busan, South Korea. More than three millennia of continuous habitation According to the nomination dossier, Sebastia has been continuously inhabited for more than 3,000…

Aug 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Paisie of Sinaia: St John the Baptist teaches us to make room for Christ

“Saint John the Baptist teaches us to make room for Christ in our lives,” Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia said on Wednesday at the Chapel of Romania’s National Cathedral. His Grace highlighted the unique mission of St John the Baptist in the history of salvation and the enduring relevance of his message. “The birth…

Jun 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Two Maltese converts baptised as Romanian Orthodox Parish in Valletta marks patronal feast

The only Romanian Orthodox parish in Malta celebrated its patronal feast dedicated to the Nativity of St John the Baptist on Sunday with a Baptismal Divine Liturgy, during which two Maltese young men received the Holy Mystery of Baptism. The event brought together Romanian Orthodox faithful living in Malta, as well as friends of the…

Jun 23, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ninth-century coin depicting Saint John the Baptist found in eastern England puzzles experts

A ninth-century coin depicting Saint John the Baptist has been discovered in eastern England, in a find that experts say is highly unusual for its time and raises questions about its origin and meaning, BBC reports. The object, a pendant made from a perforated gold coin, was found by a metal detectorist near Dunton, in…

Apr 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Timotei of Spain and Portugal: Saint John the Baptist remains a model for Christians

Saint John the Baptist remains a model for Christians, said His Grace Bishop Timotei of Spain and Portugal in his homily delivered at the Romanian Orthodox parish of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist in Lérida, Spain, which recently celebrated its patronal feast. In his sermon, His Grace spoke about how we can sanctify…

Jun 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Budapest’s Romanian monastic settlement marks its 15th anniversary

The Romanian monastic settlement in Budapest marked its 15th anniversary last Sunday on its patronal feast of Saint John the Forerunner. On this occasion, His Grace Bishop Siluan of Hungary presided over the Divine Liturgy. Concelebrants included the settlement’s superior V. Rev. Protosyncellus David Pop, Budapesta’s Dean Rev. Marius Maghiaru, and Archdeacon Emanuel Vaduva. Among…

Jan 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Theophany, Synaxis of St. John to become public holidays in Romania

Two more Church feasts are set to become public holidays in Romania starting next year. A draft law calling for January 6, the feast of the Theophany of the Lord, and the next day, the Synaxis of St. John the Baptist, to become state-recognised holidays easily passed through both the Senate and the Chamber of…

Feb 20, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint John defends family unity and fights moral disorder, Patriarch Daniel says

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on Thursday pointed to the example given by the Honourable Forerunner and Baptist John to defend moral values. In his homily, the patriarch recalled that St John is ‘a protector of family integrity’. He is considered the defender of families because he fought against countless vices and moral disorder. That is…

Aug 30, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Let us ask St John a sense of repentance for our sins, Patriarch Daniel urges

On the feast day of the outdoor chapel of the patriarchal residence, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel urged the faithful ‘to pray to Saint John the Baptist to grant us a strong faith and a sense of repentance for our sins.’ During his Sunday homily, the Patriarch of Romania referred to the work carried out by…

Jun 25, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu