Sunday of Orthodoxy

Banat Metropolitan Ioan urges faithful to turn to icons, not television, in times of trouble

His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat urged the faithful on Sunday to turn their attention to the holy icon rather than to television when facing difficulties. Speaking on the Sunday of Orthodoxy about the importance of venerating icons, the metropolitan noted that they are a sign of the victory of the true faith. “During the…

Mar 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Thousands join icon procession in Roman, Romania, marking Sunday of Orthodoxy

More than 2,000 pilgrims carried icons in procession through the streets of the city of Roman on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, a celebration marking the triumph of the veneration of icons in the Orthodox Church. The event was organised by the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău in partnership with local public authorities. The procession began…

Mar 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel says icons invite us to prayer, holiness and communion on Sunday of Orthodoxy

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel underscored on Sunday the essential role of holy icons in the life of believers, stating that “icons invite us to prayer, to holiness and to communion with all the Saints of God.” The Patriarch of Romania attended the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, celebrated by his Patriarchal Auxiliary…

Mar 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

U.S. Orthodox Bishops: Restoration of icons meant restoration of Church unity

The restoration of holy icons was more than a historical event — it was the restoration of the unity of the Church itself, the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America said in its encyclical for the Sunday of Orthodoxy. The Assembly, of which His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae, Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan…

Feb 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Sunday of Orthodoxy Encyclical 2026: Church affirms the unique and eternal value of every person

On the Sunday of Orthodoxy—the first Sunday of Great Lent—the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church released its annual pastoral encyclical, signed by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel and all members of the Synod. The letter, traditionally read in every parish during the Divine Liturgy, centres on the theme: “Man is the living icon of…

Feb 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

The world changes through the inner revolution of each of us, Oradea Bishop says

On the Sunday of Orthodoxy, Bishop Sofronie of Oradea emphasized the stark contrast between the flood of negative images in contemporary society and the role of holy icons as windows to another reality—the Kingdom of God. Icons as a Remedy for a Troubled Society “How many distressing images—of turmoil, anarchy, malice, and violence—are spread across…

Mar 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox hierarchs unite for pan-Orthodox Vespers in Chicago

On the eve of the first Sunday of Lent, the Greek Orthodox Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Chicago became a beacon of living faith and Orthodox unity. Faithful from across the metropolitan area, along with their clergy and hierarchs, gathered to venerate the holy icons and participate in a Pan-Orthodox Vespers service…

Mar 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel on First Sunday of Lent: The Orthodox icon is a confession of true faith

In his sermon on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasized the theological significance of holy icons, declaring, “The Orthodox Icon is a confession of the true faith, a testimony to the divinity of Jesus Christ, who became man for the salvation of humankind.” Speaking at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, the Primate of…

Mar 10, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Pastoral Letter of the Holy Synod for the Sunday of Orthodoxy 2025

In its traditional pastoral letter for the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church emphasizes the pedagogical role of holy icons, which serve as guides leading to Christ, the Source of all holiness. Within the context of the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate, the Synod states: “For us, Romanians, the Sunday…

Mar 7, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel thanks God for divine help on his 33rd anniversary of episcopal ordination

The patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiesti congratulated His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on the 33rd anniversary of his ordination to the episcopacy at the end of the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest on the Sunday of Orthodoxy. “On this day, we especially honour our spiritual father because 33 years ago, on…

Mar 7, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Toronto: Romanian Diocese of Canada participated in Pan-Orthodox Vespers on Sunday of Orthodoxy

Representatives of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada participated last Sunday in the Pan-Orthodox Vespers organized at the „St. Pantelimon” Greek Parish in Markham, Toronto, for the Sunday of Orthodoxy. The Romanian diocese was represented by the following clerics: Dean Viorel Țencaliuc, Father Vasile Aileni, Father Emanuel Ionuț Țencaliuc and Hieromnk Policarp. Archbishop Sotirios of…

Mar 20, 2022Ștefana Totorcea