Aurelian Iftimiu

A new era begins for the Church of Albania: Archbishop John enthroned in Tirana

The new Archbishop of Albania, His Beatitude John, was enthroned on Saturday at the “Resurrection of the Lord” Cathedral in Tirana, during a ceremony attended by members of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Albania and representatives of other autocephalous Churches. Commitment to Sacrificial Ministry In his enthronement address, His Beatitude Archbishop John…

Mar 31, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Hieromartyr Liviu Galaction’s sainthood locally proclaimed at Cluj-Napoca Cathedral during Annunciation Feast

The local proclamation of Saint Liviu Galaction took place on Tuesday at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Cluj-Napoca. The solemn event coincided with the patronal feast of the Metropolis of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj, together with an assembly of ten hierarchs of the…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Benedict expresses hope in divine providence after election to Sălaj diocese

On Thursday, the Holy Synod elected His Grace Bishop Benedict to lead the Diocese of Sălaj. Following the synodal vote, His Grace expressed his hope that it is God who entrusts him with this new mission. “At this moment, I would like to liken myself to Moses,” said the bishop, recalling a similar moment five…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod elects Assistant Bishop Benedict of Bistrița as new head of Sălaj Diocese

On Thursday, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church elected His Grace Bishop Benedict of Bistrița as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Sălaj. The position became vacant in December 2024, after the local Synod of the Metropolis of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj decided to suspend Bishop Petroniu. Also running for the office…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Synod elects new Bishop of Sălaj and initiates 2026 Holy Women canonization

On Thursday, March 27, 2025, the working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church took place in the Aula Magna “Teoctist Patriarch” of the Patriarchal Palace, under the presidency of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The session was preceded by a Te Deum service celebrated by His Grace Nectarie of Bogdania, Assistant Bishop…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru: Bessarabia’s 1918 Union was a providential act, not a closed chapter

On Thursday, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia delivered a message marking the 107th anniversary of Bessarabia’s Union with Romania, emphasizing God’s work in the history of Romanians beyond the Prut River and the courage of their forebears. “Union, beloved brothers and sisters, is not a closed chapter, but a sacred work that must be…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian village priest finds joy in simplicity and faith amid rural hardships

“My greatest joy is seeing my parishioners come to church,” said Fr. Claudiu Bene, parish priest of a small community in Sălaj County, in an interview with Formula AS. Fr. Claudiu Bene spoke about the pastoral challenges of serving in the village of Inău, Sălaj, where a priest must be constantly present in the life…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolis of Bessarabia supports ban on plastic funeral wreaths in environmental talks

Representatives of the Metropolis of Bessarabia took part in consultations with the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Moldova regarding the reduction of plastic funeral wreaths, which are highly polluting. The meeting took place on Tuesday at the Ministry’s headquarters and was attended by Fr. Maxim Melinti, Cultural Advisor to the Archdiocese of Chișinău,…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint-Serge Orthodox Theological Institute in Paris marks Centennial with international events

The “Saint-Serge” Institute in Paris, one of the world’s most important centers for Orthodox theological research, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The centennial celebration program will begin on May 3 with a conference dedicated to the institution’s history. Later, on September 20, an academic day will be held, along with the celebration of…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Greek community in Bucharest honours 1821 Revolution Heroes on National Day

The Greek community in Bucharest commemorated its forebears on Sunday at the Greek Church, in the context of Greece’s National Day. During the Divine Liturgy, the heroes of the Greek Revolution of 1821 were commemorated—an event marking the Greek people’s independence from the Ottoman Empire. Alongside Her Excellency Lili-Evangelia Grammatika, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese funds deep-well project in remote Tanzanian village

The Social Department of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg, coordinated by Fr. Dimitrie Ursache, has funded the digging of a well in the village of Makombe, located in the mountainous Iringa region of central Tanzania. Nun Irina Savu, assigned to the Orthodox Mission Center in Kidamali, Tanzania, visited Makombe in mid-March…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu