Aurelian Iftimiu

Relics of Saint Seraphim the Enduring exhumed in Romania ahead of local canonization ceremony

The relics of Saint Seraphim the Enduring of Sâmbăta de Sus were exhumed on Saturday during a religious ceremony. The exhumation service was celebrated by Metropolitan Laurențiu of Transylvania, together with Bishop Andrei of Covasna and Harghita, Assistant Bishop Ilarion of Făgăraș (Archdiocese of Sibiu), and Assistant Bishop Sofian of Brașov (Archdiocese of Germany, Austria,…

Apr 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Ontario Orthodox Christians celebrate first official Orthodox Christian Week after provincial recognition

Canadians in the province of Ontario celebrated Orthodox Christian Week for the first time following its official recognition by the regional legislature. The inaugural reception took place on Bright Tuesday at the Ontario Parliament building, Queen’s Park. Orthodox Christian Week will now be observed annually during Bright Week, which begins with Orthodox Easter, celebrated according…

Apr 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint George named Patron of Liver Transplantation in Romania during National Transplant Day ceremony

Saint George the Great Martyr was named the patron of liver transplantation in Romania during an event held at the Library of the Romanian Academy on April 11. The saint was chosen because the first two liver transplant recipients in Romania were both named Gheorghe (George). The patriarchal decree was read during the National Transplant…

Apr 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Bishop in Ireland: The path to Resurrection does not pass through the stomach

In his first pastoral letter, Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland urged the faithful to look beyond material joys and reminded them that the journey toward Christ’s Resurrection and salvation is not one of bodily indulgence. “The Christian teaching is one full of joy—something far deeper than what we typically call optimism. And Holy Pascha…

Apr 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Siluan of Italy mourns Pope Francis, thanks him for support to Romanian Orthodox communities

A condolence message from Bishop Siluan of Italy was published in Italian on the official website of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy following the passing of Pope Francis, who reposed on Monday, April 21, at 07:35 (Rome time) in Vatican City after a period of illness. In his message, Bishop Siluan expressed both sorrow…

Apr 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

President Maia Sandu meets Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia, highlights Church’s role in promoting peace and social support

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia met with President Maia Sandu of the Republic of Moldova on Friday at the Presidential Palace in Chișinău. President Sandu emphasised the essential role played by the Romanian Orthodox Church, through the Metropolis of Bessarabia, in the lives of local communities, not only as a guardian of Christian values…

Apr 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanians in Australia First to Celebrate Easter with Midnight Liturgy in Melbourne: All of creation receives light and peace

Romanians from the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand were the first in the diaspora to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord, around 5:00 p.m. Romanian time. Over 20,000 Romanians currently reside in Australia. The Paschal midnight service was celebrated by Bishop Mihail of Australia and New Zealand at the “Life-Giving Spring” Monastery in Melbourne.…

Apr 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Agape Vespers Gospel Readings in 9 languages: All nations are called to salvation in Jesus Christ, Patriarch Daniel says

“All nations are called to salvation in Jesus Christ,” declared His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on Sunday during the Vespers of the first day of Pascha, commonly known as the Second Resurrection. He was joined in the divine service at the Patriarchal Cathedral by His Grace Bishop Qais of Erzurum (Patriarchate of Antioch); Their Graces the…

Apr 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Christ’s Resurrection is a source of peace and hope

“Do not be afraid!”—these words, spoken first by the angel and then by the Risen Jesus Christ Himself to the women who came to the tomb, whom He met with the greeting, “Rejoice, do not be afraid!”, show that Christ’s Resurrection is a source of peace and joy, of hope and help in life,” said…

Apr 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Holy Eucharist and Chrism symbolize Christ’s sacrificial and merciful love

“Both the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Chrism symbolize the sacrificial, humble, and merciful love of Christ,” said Patriarch Daniel of Romania on Holy Thursday, during the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the outdoor altar of the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest. The liturgy was celebrated together with members of the Holy Synod and included the consecration…

Apr 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ioan Casian’s Easter pastoral letter: Christ’s light shines in the repentant, transforming them into light through divine grace

“Christ as God remains a mystery. He shines hidden by His divine nature, unreachable by human nature, being the luminous abyss of divine darkness, the source and providential guide of all,” emphasized Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada in his Easter pastoral letter. His Grace reflected on how the light of Christ becomes the light of…

Apr 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu