Virgin Mary

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew says Akathist Hymn is ‘magnificent ode to freedom’ at Constantinople Conference

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I said the Akathist Hymn is “a magnificent ode to freedom” at the opening of a conference marking 1,400 years since its first chanting. The event took place on Thursday, March 26, at the Marasli Patriarchal Urban School in Istanbul, Turkey, and was attended by hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, clergy, diplomatic…

Apr 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Virgin Mary honoured as ‘living icon of the Church, obedient to God in humility’, Patriarch Daniel says

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said on Wednesday that the Mother of God holds a central place in the history of humanity’s salvation, describing her as “a living icon of the Church, obedient to God in humility”. He underlined that the Feast of the Annunciation marks “the beginning of our salvation…

Mar 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

UK Archbishop Atanasie: Mary’s Dormition is not her burial, but a mystical resurrection

In a pastoral message for the Dormition Fast, Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reflected on the “mystical reversal” depicted in the icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God, which, he noted, does not portray her burial, but rather a mystical resurrection. A Season of Inner Sweetness The Romanian Orthodox Archbishop…

Aug 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Pre-Iconoclastic fresco of the Virgin Mary discovered on Greek Island of Naxos

A fresco depicting the Virgin Mary from the pre-iconoclastic period (726-842) has been discovered in a Byzantine church on the Greek island of Naxos. The discovery is rare, as most icons were removed from churches or covered during the iconoclastic period. The fresco, portraying the Mother of God, was uncovered behind a layer of lime…

Aug 26, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

7 short prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos

During the period of fasting dedicated to preparing for the Dormition of the Mother of God, let us not neglect to offer her praise, gratitude, and even our most fervent petitions as often as possible. In addition to the simplest and most frequently recited prayer – “Most Holy Theotokos, save us!” – we offer seven…

Aug 11, 2023Aurelian 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

Transylvania Metropolitan urges prayer for loving protection of the Virgin Mary in times of pandemic

In addition to the recommendation to respect the regulations announced by authorities, Metropolitan Laurentiu of Transylvania advised the clergy to officiate every morning the Supplicatory Canon of the Theotokos and to read the special prayer for the cessation of the coronavirus pandemic. “We ask all the ministers of the altars in all the parishes and…

Mar 19, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania Patriarch urges believers cultivate ‘flowers of faith’ in the Garden of the Mother of God

Recalling that Romania is known as ‘the Garden of the Mother of God’ on Thursday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel invited believers to take care of this garden and cultivate ‘the flowers of faith, hope and humble and merciful love’. ‘We are in the Garden of the Mother of God, which is full of monasteries and…

Aug 17, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

The Mother of God is the greatest ambassador of Christians, patriarchal auxiliary bishop Ieronim says

The patriarchal auxiliary bishop Ieronim of Sinaia on Wednesday spoke about the role played by the Theotokos in God’s salvific economy, calling the Blessed Virgin Mary ‘the greatest ambassador of Christians’. Leading the service of the burial of the Theotokos at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest on Aug. 14, Bishop Ieronim noted that Virgin Mary…

Aug 16, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: The Mother of God is the example of preparation for the reception of Christ in our souls

In his Tuesday homily delivered at the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel urged the faithful to follow the example offered by the Mother of God as for the preparation to receive Christ in their souls and homes. On the Feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Beatitude Daniel,…

Nov 21, 2017Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Sincere love for enemies begins with prayer for their forgiveness

On Sunday Patriarch Daniel said that it is quite difficult, though not impossible, that the sinful human nature change so much that a person can love the one who hates him and to wish the good of the one who hurts him. ‘In this regard, sincere love for enemies, without hypocrisy, begins with a prayer…

Oct 2, 2017Aurelian Iftimiu