Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania takes action against clerical impersonation

On Wednesday, the plenary session of Romania’s Chamber of Deputies passed a bill that clarifies the prohibition against the unauthorised exercise of clerical and monastic functions and ensures the exclusive right of religious denominations over modes of veneration for canonised, beatified, sanctified individuals, or those recognised as righteous or symbolic identity figures. According to Agerpres,…

Jun 19, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Escape the idolatry of performance! We sanctify by presenting ourselves to God as we are, Bucharest abbot says

“Holiness, indeed, is the impossible. It is the impossible that God demands of man,” Protosyncellus Arsenie Irimiea, the abbot of Darvari Skete Monastery in Bucharest, told the faithful on the Sunday of All Saints. Yet, most often, we “offer God mere theatre,” he cautioned. In this regard, the abbot recalled that God tells the Israelites…

Jun 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Young Orthodox from France, Switzerland, and Canada meet in Paris for Pentecost Nepsis Congress

Young members of the Nepsis movement from France, Switzerland, and Canada gathered in Paris for their annual congress themed “The Presence of the Holy Spirit in Our Lives.” The event was held over Pentecost weekend and began with a warm welcome at the Cathedral of the Holy Archangels in Paris. The congress opened with the…

Jun 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia Metropolis expands domestic violence prevention as Social Mission Diaconia publishes 2024 report

In 2024, the Metropolis of Bessarabia tackled domestic violence as part of its social mission, as underscored in the activity report, which highlighted the Church’s growing involvement in domestic violence prevention in the Republic of Moldova. This engagement began with the organization of the conference “Family Under the Protection of Faith: An Interdisciplinary Dialogue on Domestic Violence”, which…

Jun 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in Romania marks 35 years since reestablishment at Sighet symposium

On Tuesday, the Sighet Memorial hosted the symposium celebrating 35 years of the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in Romania. The event was preceded by the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, the delegate of the Patriarch of Romania, together with priests from the two deaneries of the vicariate. At the end of…

Jun 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate condemns domestic violence, calls for prayer and support for victims

In response to the recent escalation of domestic violence in Romanian society and the shocking crimes committed in Cosmopolis (Ilfov County) and Lipănești (Prahova County), the Romanian Patriarchate expresses deep concern regarding these phenomena, which gravely affect human dignity and the unity of families. Any manifestation of violence is incompatible with Christian teaching, and all…

Jun 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Atanasie urges faithful to embrace apostolic mission during Saints Peter and Paul Fast

His Eminence Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland delivered a pastoral message at the beginning of the Apostles’ Fast, emphasising that this liturgical season is a natural continuation of Pentecost. “If the Day of Pentecost marks the foundation of the Church, then this liturgical period calls us to live out the life of…

Jun 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Vatopedi Abbot to bring relic of Saint John Chrysostom to Bucharest for July pilgrimage

The Very Reverend Archimandrite Ephraim Koutsou, Abbot of the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi on Mount Athos, will bring the honourable skull of Saint John Chrysostom to Bucharest in July. This privileged occasion will allow people to venerate the relic of Saint John Chrysostom in Bucharest. Summer feast of Saint Demetrius This event will…

Jun 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

King Charles III honoured in Romania with photo album showcasing his connection to Transylvania

On the occasion of the King’s Birthday celebration in the United Kingdom, a new photo album titled “The Royal Paths of Transylvania” was launched in Bucharest, highlighting King Charles III’s deep connection with Romania.  The album was presented on Saturday during the opening ceremony of an exhibition of the same name, which was hosted at…

Jun 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Moldovan Culture Ministry and Bessarabia Metropolis sign historic preservation pact

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova and the Metropolis of Bessarabia have agreed to protect a historic monument in Dubăsarii Vechi. The partnership concerns the Church of “Archangel Michael” and the necropolis of the Donici and Macri families in Dubăsarii Vechi, both of which are listed in the official Register of Cultural Heritage of…

Jun 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Antonie leads memorial in Bălți for Stalinist deportation victims

Bishop Antonie of Bălți officiated a memorial service on Thursday in honor of the victims of Stalinist deportations. The commemorative event took place at a symbolic location in the city of Bălți – the train station from which thousands of people were deported to Siberia and Kazakhstan. Dozens of candles were lit near the Monument…

Jun 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu