Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam and Prior Sabino Chialà reaffirm Orthodox–Catholic ties in Bucharest

On Thursday, May 15, 2025, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești,  Secretary of the Holy Synod, received Brother Sabino Chialà, Prior of the Roman Catholic Monastery of Bose (Italy), in an audience at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest. During their discussions, Bishop Varlaam emphasized the long-standing cooperation between the Romanian Patriarchate and the…

May 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian presidential advisor visits Orthodox mission in Jerusalem, highlights pilgrims’ concerns

On Tuesday, Presidential Advisor Cristian Diaconescu visited the Romanian Orthodox Church’s representation in Jerusalem, where he met with the Very Rev. Archimandrite Teofil Anăstăsoaie, the Romanian Patriarchate’s representative to the Holy Places. “We discussed several issues faced by Romanian pilgrims coming to the Holy Land, as well as the mission we run here on this…

May 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel meets Cardinal Ghirlanda to discuss Orthodox–Catholic cooperation

On Tuesday, the Patriarch of Romania received His Eminence Gianfranco Ghirlanda SJ, a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church from Italy, at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest. During the meeting, various aspects of the positive cooperation between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church—both in Romania and Italy—were discussed. Romanians in Italy In…

May 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Blessed are the persecuted: May 14 – Remembrance Day for Communist Prisons Victims

On Wednesday, Romania commemorates the Day of Remembrance for the Martyrs of Communist Prisons, established by the Romanian Parliament in 2017, in honour of those who lost their lives due to inhumane treatment and torture in communist-era prisons. Those arrested by the communist regime were not only former politicians but also wealthy peasants, intellectuals, students,…

May 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Sibiu marks 119 years since Cathedral inspired by Constantinople’s Hagia Sophia was inaugurated

Tuesday marks 119 years since the inauguration of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Sibiu, according to Turnul Sfatului. The initiative to build the cathedral belonged to Saint Andrew Șaguna, who also made the most substantial financial contribution—2,000 florins. The winning design, titled “Constantine and Helen – Hagia Sophia,” was submitted by architect József Kommer of Budapest and…

May 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox theologian John Behr to receive honorary doctorate from Iași University

The Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Iași, part of Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, has announced it will award Fr. Prof. Dr. John Behr, a world-renowned patristics scholar, the title of Doctor Honoris Causa. The formal ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 14, starting at 10:00 AM, in the “Mihai Eminescu” Aula Magna of “Alexandru…

May 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Royals Honoured at Patriarchal Cathedral on Monarchy Day: They understood that to rule is to serve

On Monarchy Day, a memorial service was held at the Patriarchal Cathedral to commemorate all the monarchs of Romania who have passed away. After the service, Archimandrite Clement Haralam, the Great Ecclesiarch of the Cathedral, addressed the faithful present, reflecting on the monarchy’s role in Romanian history. “Monarchy was not merely a form of government,…

May 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Youth Meeting in Oltenia draws 450 participants, hosted by Metropolitan Irineu and Bishop Macarie

Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia and Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe met last week with the 450 participants of this year’s Orthodox Youth Meeting in Oltenia. On Friday, following the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the “Madona Dudu” Church in Craiova by His Grace Bishop Macarie, a Te Deum service was also officiated in the presence of…

May 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Montreal hosts 8-year celebration of Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Canada

Romanian Orthodox faithful in Canada celebrated the 8th anniversary of the Diocese of Canada from May 2 to May 10 at the Cathedral in Montreal. During this period, a series of religious and cultural events were held. The festivities began on Friday, May 2, with the Vespers service, led by an assembly of priests and…

May 12, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church reaffirms political neutrality ahead of presidential election

The Romanian Orthodox Church clearly reaffirms its position of neutrality during electoral campaigns, distancing itself from any act of partisan politics and avoiding public support for any of the candidates running in the presidential election. We respect every individual’s vote, as it reflects their faith, convictions, and personal choice—an expression of a democratic right guaranteed…

May 12, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch bids farewell to Iranian Ambassador, highlights cultural and religious cooperation

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania received a farewell visit on Friday, May 9, at the Patriarchal Residence from His Excellency Mr. Sadat Meidani, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Bucharest. At the beginning of the meeting, the Patriarch of Romania warmly welcomed the ambassador and expressed appreciation for His Excellency’s extensive diplomatic…

May 12, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu