Aurelian Iftimiu

New Byzantine music school in Iași to offer free courses for children and adults

A new Byzantine chant school for children, young people and adults will open in Iași in September as part of a project run by the Archdiocese of Iași. Registration for the first intake of students will take place from 1 to 23 September, and participation is free. The “Saint Macarius Protopsaltes” Metropolitan School of Byzantine…

Aug 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Antonie commemorates St Stephen the Great’s soldiers at Battle of Lipnic anniversary

The Battle of Lipnic was commemorated on Thursday in northern Republic of Moldova. Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia celebrated the Divine Liturgy and a memorial service for the soldiers of Saint Stephen the Great who fell in the battle against the Tatars. The commemorations started at the church in Lipnic village, with attendance including local community members,…

Aug 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

UN marks International Day for victims of religious violence and persecution

Victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief are commemorated each year on 22 August internationally through a day established by the United Nations. The observance provides an opportunity to express solidarity with people affected by religious persecution and discrimination and to reaffirm the need to protect every person’s right to manifest their…

Aug 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ieronim joins Serbian Metropolitan Lukijan for Transfiguration feast in Szentendre

His Grace Bishop Ieronim of Dacia Felix concelebrated on Wednesday with Serbian Metropolitan Lukijan of Buda and Administrator of Timișoara at the patronal feast of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Szentendre, Hungary. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated on the occasion of the feast observed by the Serbian Orthodox Church according to…

Aug 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

More than 70,000 pilgrims visit Nicula Monastery for Dormition celebrations

Approximately 25,000 pilgrims attended the Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God on Saturday, 15 August, at Nicula Monastery in Cluj County. According to law enforcement estimates, more than 70,000 people visited the monastery in the days leading up to its patronal feast. Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș and…

Aug 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

German youth discover Orthodox Christianity through volunteer work at Romanian monastery

Young Germans are discovering the beauty of Orthodoxy through volunteer activities at Piatra Fântânele Monastery in Bistrița-Năsăud County, where they are taking part in a work camp. The programme runs from 15 to 29 August and brings together 20 participants from the Evangelical Youth Association in Württemberg (EJW), the Cluj branch of the Association of…

Aug 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Saints Nazaria, Olympias, and Elizabeth of Văratec are models of prayer, diligence and charity

Patriarch Daniel of Romania has presented Saints Nazaria, Olympias and Elizabeth of Văratec as three distinct examples of holiness united by unceasing prayer, humble charity and diligent service to others. He delivered his message on the occasion of the local proclamation of their canonisation at Văratec Monastery. Saints Nazaria, Olympias and Elizabeth of Văratec –…

Aug 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

St John of Rila honoured 1,080 years after his repose, Bulgarian Patriarch calls him ‘source of hope’

Saint John of Rila was commemorated on Wednesday at Rila Monastery in Bulgaria, marking 1,080 years since his repose in the Lord. On this occasion, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniil of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church highlighted the saint’s spiritual legacy, describing him as “a source of hope, spiritual help, an example and a guide for our…

Aug 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian church in Boian, Canada, consecrated three years after devastating fire

The Romanian community’s new church in Boian, Alberta, Canada, was consecrated on the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, three years after a fire destroyed the old place of worship. His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada described the occasion as “a new rebirth for the Boian community”, as well as a…

Aug 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Saints Nazaria, Olympias and Elizabeth locally proclaimed at Romania’s Văratec Monastery

Ten hierarchs and numerous abbots from the Moldavia region, joined by clergy from across Romania and the diaspora, celebrated the Divine Liturgy last Sunday at Văratec Monastery in Neamț County, where the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saints Nazaria, Olympias and Elizabeth of Văratec took place after the liturgy. The assembly of hierarchs comprised…

Aug 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Antonie honours Orthodox women for Church service in northern Bessarabia

His Eminence Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia honoured members of the Orthodox Women’s Society of the Diocese of Bălți for their involvement in the life of the Church. A ceremony took place on Monday during a meeting held at the Anastasis Educational Centre in Bălți. The event highlighted the organisation’s work over almost eight years in…

Aug 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu