Aurelian Iftimiu

Bucharest to host three-day celebration honouring relics of Saint Demetrius the New and Saint John Chrysostom

On Sunday, July 13, 2025, the Romanian Orthodox Church will celebrate the Translation of the Holy Relics of Saint Demetrius the New to Bucharest. On this occasion, a series of liturgical events will take place from July 11 to 13, 2025, according to the following schedule: Friday, July 11, 2025 09:00 – 10:45 – Divine…

Jul 9, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Veniamin honors deportees to Siberia at Căușeni Parish feast: We must not forget their sacrifice and suffering

His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Monday at the patronal feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Forerunner Parish in Căușeni, according to the unrevised calendar, and offered prayers for the souls of those deported to Siberia. His Grace Bishop Veniamin spoke about the suffering of the deportees…

Jul 9, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop-elect Teofil: I go with Paschal thoughts to the Lower Land of Moldavia

“I go with Paschal thoughts to the Lower Land of Moldavia,” declared the Very Rev. Archimandrite Teofil Anăstăsoaie, newly elected Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău, following his election by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church on Wednesday. The newly elected bishop will bear the title His Grace Assistant Bishop…

Jul 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate’s representative to Holy Land elected assistant bishop

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has elected the Very Rev. Archimandrite Teofil Anăstăsoaie, the Romanian Patriarchate’s Representative to the Holy Places, as Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău. Archimandrite Teofil has served as the Romanian Patriarchate’s liaison to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and as Superior of the Romanian Settlements…

Jul 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod approves canonizations, episcopal elections, and new liturgical feast

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held its working session in the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 1–2, 2025, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The Holy Synod adopted several decisions related to pastoral and missionary activity, including: The canonization of 16 women…

Jul 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod approves canonization of 16 saintly women

The working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church was conducted in the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. During the session, the Holy Synod approved the canonization of sixteen women with a holy life, including martyrs,…

Jul 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Mel Gibson visits Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos, praises deep spiritual experience

Renowned American actor, director, and producer Mel Gibson, best known for his film The Passion of the Christ, arrived last Friday at the Serbian Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos, where he was set to spend several days. The information and accompanying photo were shared on the Friends of Hilandar Monastery (Пријатељи манастира Хиландара) Facebook page,…

Jul 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church proposes new feast: Sunday of All Athonite Saints

The Romanian Orthodox Church may soon add a new feast day to its liturgical calendar: the Sunday of the Athonite Saints. The proposed date for this commemoration is the third Sunday after Pentecost, following the Sunday of All Saints and the Sunday of the Romanian Saints—two feasts that already occur after Pentecost. The proposal was…

Jul 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian and Antiochian Orthodox leaders meet in Bucharest amid solidarity and shared mission

On Monday, June 30, 2025, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, Secretary of the Holy Synod, received His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios of Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines (Patriarchate of Antioch), at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest. The Very Reverend Archimandrite Alexi Nassour accompanied His Eminence. Bishop Varlaam warmly welcomed the delegation and…

Jul 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

16 saintly women to be canonized by Romanian Patriarchate, Patriarch Daniel announces

The Romanian Patriarchate will canonize 16 female saints in 2026, as part of the Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the Church Calendar, according to announcements made by Patriarch Daniel on Monday evening during the working session of the Metropolitan Synod of the Metropolis of Muntenia and Dobruja. A similar number of saints—16—were proclaimed during…

Jul 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Timotei of Spain and Portugal: Saint John the Baptist remains a model for Christians

Saint John the Baptist remains a model for Christians, said His Grace Bishop Timotei of Spain and Portugal in his homily delivered at the Romanian Orthodox parish of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist in Lérida, Spain, which recently celebrated its patronal feast. In his sermon, His Grace spoke about how we can sanctify…

Jun 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu