Theotokos

Archbishop Atanasie: Dormition Fast calls faithful to rediscover ‘the altar of the heart’

One of the deepest calls of the Dormition Fast is the rediscovery of the altar of the heart, wrote Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in his pastoral message published at the beginning of the fasting season. “The altar is the place where God and man meet, where God gives Himself to humanity…

Jul 31, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Trust in God and the Mother of God brings true freedom, says patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești said on Friday evening at the Patriarchal Cathedral that true freedom is found through trust in God, the Mother of God and the saints. “Only with the help of God, of the Mother of God and of the saints can we feel truly free, entrusting our lives into the…

Mar 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

(†) The Protection of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary; Apostle Ananias of the Seventy; St. Romanus the Melodist of Constantinople; †) Ven. Joseph and Kyriakos of Bisericani (Fish allowed)

Orthodox Calendar, October 1 The Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos The Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos: “Today the Virgin stands in the midst of the Church, and with choirs of Saints she invisibly prays to God for us. Angels and Bishops venerate Her, Apostles and prophets rejoice together, Since for our sake she…

Oct 1, 2025basilica.ro

Romanian Holy Synod approves new Saints and feasts ahead of National Cathedral consecration

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, chaired by Patriarch Daniel, convened in Bucharest on September 29–30, 2025, and adopted a series of important pastoral, liturgical, and administrative decisions. The meeting took place in the Aula Magna “Patriarch Teoctist” of the Patriarchal Palace. Among the resolutions, the Synod approved the inclusion of several saints…

Sep 30, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Damaschin says Virgin Mary ‘weeps’ over sin and war in today’s world at Romanian procession

His Grace Bishop Damaschin of Dorna, assistant bishop to the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți, said on Saturday that the Virgin Mary weeps when she sees the state of today’s world, shaken by sin and war. Speaking at the “Honouring the Mother of God” procession in Câmpulung Moldovenesc, which featured the wonderworking icon of the…

Aug 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Banat Metropolitan urges charity and prayer during Dormition Fast

His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat has urged the faithful to use the next two weeks to visit and comfort those who are suffering – whether in hospitals, care homes, or at home – especially the lonely, marginalised, and elderly without support. At the beginning of the Dormition Fast, His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan delivered a…

Aug 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Dormition Fast begins August 1: brief guidelines

The Dormition Fast begins this Friday and lasts for two weeks for Orthodox Christians observing the revised calendar. This year, the fast will also conclude on a Friday, which means it will be extended by one day, in accordance with the General Liturgics. “The fast is prolonged to include the feast day itself if it…

Jul 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Miraculous Syriac Icon of the Mother of God marks 67 years at Ghighiu Monastery

On February 25, 1958, the miraculous “Syriac” Icon of the Mother of God was brought to Ghighiu Monastery by Metropolitan Basil Samaha of Sergiopolis from the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. For 67 years, many faithful who have prayed before the icon at Ghighiu Monastery have testified to receiving swift aid, healing, and…

Feb 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Macarie presents the Theotokos as “a source of hope and deliverance from fear, anxiety, and sorrow”

Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe spoke about the significance of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple, addressing themes of hope, salvation, and overcoming contemporary anxieties during a conference held Thursday evening at the Faculty of Theology in Bucharest. A Feast of Hope and Salvation “The Feast of the Entry of…

Nov 22, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Ioan of Banat calls for acts of kindness during the Dormition Fast

“We are all called to weave a crown of good deeds, following the example of the Mother of God and the saints, by helping our brothers and sisters who are suffering at home and in hospitals, orphans and widows, the elderly burdened by loneliness, need, and frailty, and large families, combining good deeds with prayer,”…

Jul 31, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

15 Patriarch Daniel quotes on the Mother of God: A model of humble obedience for angels and humans

The Dormition Fast is a favourable time for prayer, especially to the Mother of God, who is “a merciful intercessor and mediatress for mankind.” Basilca.ro offers you a collection of 15 quotes about the Mother of God selected from the sermons of Patriarch Daniel: The Mother of God is the one from whom the eternal…

Aug 9, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu