spiritual life

Romanian Orthodox bishop calls for dialogue between spiritual life and psychology

His Grace Assistant Bishop Damaschin of Dorna from the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți gave an interview as part of the Hristocentric project in which he addressed one of the most sensitive issues of our time: the relationship between spiritual life and psychology, the need for interdisciplinary dialogue, and the search for the integral healing…

May 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Putna archimandrite says young people seek authentic fasting rooted in love, not constraint

Archimandrite Hrisostom Ciuciu of Putna Monastery said in an interview with Trinitas TV that young people have a distinctive way of understanding the spiritual life, noting that “they are the first to recognise true fasting”. The archimandrite emphasised that young people do not act out of constraint, but from inner conviction: “They do nothing unless…

Apr 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel urges balance of intellectual, professional, and spiritual education in message to students

Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Daniel marked the beginning of the 2025–2026 academic year with a message to students and professors, emphasising that intellectual and professional education finds its true fulfilment in spiritual life. In his blessing, the Patriarch prayed for God to enlighten the minds of students and professors, and to grant them progress in their…

Sep 30, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

7 spiritual lessons on fasting from Saint Liviu Galaction of Cluj

Recently canonized by the Romanian Orthodox Church, Saint Liviu Galaction of Cluj offers a profound understanding of Christian fasting, seen not merely as abstaining from certain foods but as a true spiritual struggle. The selected quotes reflect the essential dimensions of fasting and have been chosen symbolically, corresponding to the seven weeks of Great Lent.…

Mar 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

The one who fasts breaks the infernal cycle of desire and pleasure, Archbishop Irineu says

“The one who fasts breaks the infernal cycle of desire and pleasure, hunger and satiety, redirecting their longing toward contemplating heavenly realities. This helps them walk in the renewal of life (Romans 6:4), living as a child of the resurrection (Luke 20:36),” Archbishop Irineu of Alba Iulia emphasized in a message on Clean Monday at…

Mar 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj: Prayer and fasting will help us overcome the world’s challenges

“It is clear to all of us that the world faces many problems, and we hope to overcome them with the help of prayer and fasting,” emphasized Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj in his message at the beginning of Great Lent. His Eminence Metropolitan Andrei noted that this period offers an excellent opportunity…

Mar 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Fasting is an act of love for God, not a public display

“We do not fast to be seen or praised by people, but we fast to love God more,” said His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on Sunday during the Divine Liturgy at the historic Chapel of the Holy Great Martyr George at the Patriarchal Residence. Regarding fasting itself, the Patriarch of Romania explained that the Gospel of…

Mar 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

It’s not too early to start thinking about Great Lent!

This year, Great Lent begins on March 11. Because we are caught up in the agitation of everyday life, we often do not reflect on this Lenten season. Only a few days before Lent we realize that we have not the slightest plan to improve our spiritual life for Easter. In a society defined by…

Feb 12, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

HB Patriarch Daniel: Repentance is a change, not a simple regret

‘Repentance is an effort for inner change, not a simple regret,’ His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said in his Sunday homily at St Gregory the Enlightener Chapel of his Patriarchal Residence. His Beatitude noted that repentance does not simply imply saying ‘I’m sorry’ and moving on, ‘it is an effort to change the way of thinking,…

Jan 14, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu