Aurelian Iftimiu

Vatopedi Abbot awarded Romanian Patriarchate’s highest distinction

The Very Rev. Archimandrite Efrem Koutsou, Abbot of Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos, received the highest distinction of the Romanian Patriarchate, the Patriarchal Cross. The ceremony took place last Friday in the Hall of the Romanian Saints at the Patriarchal Residence, immediately after the reception of the relics of Saint John Chrysostom. The distinction was…

Jul 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint John Chrysostom’s relic brought to Bucharest: Not only an opportunity for veneration, Patriarch Daniel says

The honourable skull of Saint John Chrysostom was brought to the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest from Mount Athos at midday on Friday, marking the summer feast of Saint Demetrius the New. “The presence of Saint John Chrysostom’s relics in Romania is not only an opportunity for veneration and prayer, but also a call to a…

Jul 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Byzantine-era basilica ruins discovered near Fethiye Fortress in Southwestern Turkey

Near the outer walls of the fortified citadel overlooking Fethiye Bay in Muğla Province, southwestern Turkey, archaeologists have discovered the ruins of a basilica likely dating back to the Middle Byzantine period (9th–12th centuries AD). The discovery was made during archaeological excavations conducted by experts from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, under the…

Jul 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate appoints Fr. Ioan Meiu as new representative to the Holy Land

The Very Rev. Protosyncellus Ioan Meiu will become the new representative of the Romanian Patriarchate to the Holy Land, taking over the position from Archimandrite Teofil Anăstăsoaie, who was recently elected Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău. According to a decision by the Standing Committee of the National Church Council, Fr. Ioan…

Jul 10, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Oxford University Press to publish Patristic Study Bible led by Romanian Orthodox priest and international scholars

Oxford University Press is preparing a new English translation of the Holy Scriptures—a comprehensive study Bible—in a landmark academic project initiated and co-led by a Romanian Orthodox priest. The Ancient Christian Study Bible (ACSB) The coordinators of the project, titled The Ancient Christian Study Bible (ACSB), are Fr. Eugen Pentiuc, Dean of the Holy Cross…

Jul 10, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Coptic Archbishop of London meets with Cambridge Orthodox Institute leaders to discuss future collaboration

The Coptic Archbishop of London held a meeting last week with two representatives of the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies (IOCS) in Cambridge. Archbishop Angaelos welcomed Fr. Dragoș Herescu, Director of IOCS, and Fr. John Jillions, the newly appointed Chair of the Institute’s Board of Trustees, at the Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in the United…

Jul 10, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate urges parishes to assist public amid national heatwave and drought

In light of the extremely high temperatures recorded nationwide, the Romanian Patriarchate has issued an appeal to all dioceses to provide support during the heatwave. Parishes and monasteries are encouraged to distribute water to those in need and to offer shelter and moments of rest in the shade to individuals affected by the heat. Church…

Jul 9, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy signs cooperation protocol with Romanian Embassy to support Diaspora

The Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Italy and the Romanian Ambassador to Italy, Malta, and San Marino signed a cooperation protocol on July 3. His Grace Bishop Siluan and Her Excellency Gabriela Dancău signed the agreement as official representatives of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy and the Embassy of Romania to the Republic of Italy,…

Jul 9, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Teofil of Iberia urges believers to reject superficial faith during Sunday sermon in Spain

“Let us flee from a formal and superficial faith,” urged His Grace Bishop Teofil of Iberia, Assistant Bishop to the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Spain and Portugal, on the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. In his homily delivered at the Parish of Saint Athanasius the Athonite in Leganés, Spain, the bishop underscored the living faith of…

Jul 9, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian parish in New Zealand secures Government grant to expand community cultural centre

The Romanian Orthodox Parish in Auckland, New Zealand, has received a non-refundable grant of 300,000 lei (approx. AUD 100,000) to continue the construction of the parish’s Social and Cultural Hall. This construction project is part of a broader initiative that envisions the future building of a parish church and the establishment of an open-air ethnographic…

Jul 9, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church launches anti-domestic violence program in Republic of Moldova

Preventing domestic violence is a priority for the Romanian Patriarchate, the Metropolis of Bessarabia, and the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău, as demonstrated by a large-scale social-philanthropic project carried out under the auspices of the Diaconia Social Mission of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, in partnership with the Filantropia Federation of the Romanian Patriarchate. Pilot project…

Jul 9, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu