Solemn Year 2026

Bishop Veniamin warns of demographic crisis, urges support for Christian family in Republic of Moldova

Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia drew attention during his homily last Sunday to the challenges posed by the demographic crisis, highlighting the essential role of the Christian family in the birth, upbringing and education of children. His Grace emphasised the need to encourage women and mothers in order to strengthen the family and promote childbirth,…

Jan 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel proclaims Solemn and Commemorative Year 2026, highlights Church’s role in strengthening the Christian family

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel offered a New Year’s message on January 1, following the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, during a solemn ceremony marking the proclamation of 2026 as the Solemn Year of the Pastoral Care of the Christian Family and the Commemorative Year of the Holy Women of the Church calendar…

Jan 5, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Siluan urges Romanians in Italy to cherish families as small churches at start of 2026

At the start of the new year 2026, Bishop Siluan of Italy delivered a pastoral message to Romanians living in Italy, urging them to value the family as “a small church” and to honour its role in preserving faith and identity in the diaspora. In his New Year message, the bishop called on the faithful…

Jan 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Serafim urges humility over comfort in Christmas message, highlights women’s role in Church and family

In this year’s Christmas pastoral letter, Metropolitan Serafim of Germany invites the faithful to move beyond the material comfort associated with the Nativity feast and to rediscover what he calls “the only new thing under the sun”: the humility of God who becomes Man. In the pastoral message titled “The Christian Woman in the Family,…

Dec 23, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint Andrew relic brought to Bessarabia as Metropolis dedicates 2026 to Metropolitan Antonie Plămădeală

The Metropolis of Bessarabia has dedicated the year 2026 to Metropolitan Antonie Plămădeală (1926-2005). The announcement was made on Saturday, December 13, at Durlești Monastery, which marked the patronal feast of the Apostle Andrew, according to the unrevised calendar. Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia celebrated the Divine Liturgy together with Archbishop Casian of Lower Danube and…

Dec 23, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate highlights Saint Basil’s Family as model for families today

The Romanian Patriarchate is highlighting the family of Saint Basil the Great as a model for contemporary Christian families, as it designated 2026 as the Solemn Year of Christian Family Pastoral Care and the Commemorative Year of the Holy Women in the Church Calendar. The official icon for 2026 depicts Saint Basil’s family, which produced…

Nov 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Alexandra Nadane: 2026 Commemorative Year will illuminate the spiritual paths for women

The 2026 Commemorative Year “will bring a greater societal understanding of the spiritual paths available to women,” said Alexandra Nadane, executive director of the Association for the Support of Pregnant Women and Families. “I was very pleased to hear that the Holy Synod has declared 2026 as the Solemn Year of Christian Family Pastoral Care…

Nov 1, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Ministry of Family applauds Romanian Orthodox Church’s 2026 theme honouring Christian family and holy women

The Ministry of Family, Youth, and Equal Opportunities has welcomed the decision by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church to designate 2026 as the “Solemn Year of Pastoral Care for the Christian Family” and the “Commemorative Year of Holy Women” celebrating myrrh-bearing women, female martyrs, nuns, wives, and mothers. The Romanian Orthodox Synod’s…

Oct 30, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church designates 2026 as Year of Christian Family Ministry and Celebration of Holy Women

The Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate officially declared 2026 the Solemn Year of Christian Family Ministry and the Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the church calendar (Myrrh-bearers, Martyrs, Venerable Women, Wives, and Mothers). The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church ratified this decision on Friday, October 25. Solemn Year of Christian Family Ministry The emphasis…

Oct 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod announces 2026 focus on family pastoral care and commemoration of Holy Women, sets plans for Centennial events

The working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church was conducted on Friday, October 25, 2024, in the Aula Magna “Patriarch Teoctist” of the Patriarchal Palace, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. Following the elections for the Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Romanian Orthodox…

Oct 26, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu