Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif and Romania’s Ambassador to Paris attend joint session of French and Romanian Academies

On Thursday, the Académie Française hosted a joint session with the Romanian Academy at its headquarters in Paris, commemorating 145 years of diplomatic relations between France and Romania. Among the attendees were: Metropolitan Iosif of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe, Clara Staicu, Romanian State Secretary for European Affairs, Ioana Bivolaru, Romania’s…

Feb 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Ukrainian Orthodox Clergy in Romania mark three years of war with memorial services for victims

On Tuesday, clergy from the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in Romania held a memorial service for the victims of the war in Ukraine, marking three years since the conflict began. The commemoration took place at the “Elevation of the Holy Cross” Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Sighetu Marmației, Maramureș County, where priests from the Sighetu Marmației Ukrainian…

Feb 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

New Assistant Bishop Nectarie of Bogdania officially presented to faithful in Chișinău

His Grace Nectarie of Bogdania, the newly appointed Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chișinău, was introduced to the faithful of the Basarabia Metropolis during a ceremony held Thursday at the “Three Holy Hierarchs” Church in Chișinău. His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Basarabia presided over the Divine Liturgy, having as concelebrants his Assistant Bishop Nectarie…

Feb 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ioan Casian visits Assumption University in Canada for future collaboration

On Tuesday, His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada visited Assumption University, a Catholic institution in Windsor, Ontario, to discuss potential collaborations and partnerships in light of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. During his meeting with John Cappucci, President of Assumption University, the two discussed global Christianity and the challenges…

Feb 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabian Orthodox priests trained to address domestic violence and gender stereotypes

A group of priests from the Metropolis of Bessarabia is participating in a training-of-trainers course titled “Domestic Violence and Combating Stereotypes in the Orthodox Perspective,” held on February 17-18. The training is organized by the Diaconia Social Mission of the Metropolis of Bessarabia in partnership with UN Women Moldova. One of the trainers is Father Ciprian…

Feb 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Republic of Moldova establishes “Council of Memory” to commemorate victims of communist repression

The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education and Research of Moldova have recently established the “Council of Memory,” a consultative body dedicated to honouring the victims of political repression under the totalitarian communist regime (1917-1990). The founding order was signed on February 7 by Ministers Sergiu Prodan and Dan Perciun, aiming to contribute…

Feb 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

It is not my honor, but that of the entire Church: Patriarch Miron on the debate on the Law establishing the Romanian Patriarchate

A century ago, on February 17, 1925, the Chamber of Deputies of Romania held a historic debate on the Law for the Establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate. During the session, Metropolitan Miron Cristea, who was soon to be enthroned as the first Patriarch of Romania, delivered a memorable speech. “This Honor Belongs to the Entire…

Feb 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s homily: A Gospel of forgiveness for the repentant sinner and a call to soften the unforgiving pious man

On Sunday, Patriarch Daniel of Romania described the Parable of the Prodigal Son as “a Gospel of forgiveness for the repentant sinner and a call to soften the unforgiving pious man”. Speaking at the Patriarchal Cathedral, His Beatitude emphasized that the Church has placed this parable on the second Sunday of the Triodion period as…

Feb 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Austrian Churches Council visits Holy Land to support peace and Christian communities

A delegation from the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Austria (ÖRKÖ) visited the Holy Land last week for discussions with organizations working for peace and reconciliation. The delegation included: Bishop Tiran Petrosyan, Apostolic Armenian Bishop and President of ÖRKÖ, Bishop Manfred Scheuer, Catholic Bishop of Linz, Superintendent Thomas Hennefeld, Regional Reformed Church leader, Father Nicolae…

Feb 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

New assistant bishop ordained for Chișinău Archdiocese amid Centennial celebrations

The Patriarch of Romania, the Metropolitan of Bessarabia and other Romanian hierarchs performed the ordination to the episcopate of the new assistant bishop of the Chișinău Archdiocese during a solemn liturgy held Sunday at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest. Archimandrite Nectarie Clinic, the former abbot of Sihăstria Putnei Monastery in Suceva County, was elected by…

Feb 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Glasgow’s Romanian parish moves educational programs to new location

Non-formal educational activities for Romanian children in Glasgow have begun in a new parish school location, which was blessed last week by Archbishop-elect Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the patronal celebrations of the “Presentation of the Lord to the Temple” Parish. The event was attended by Andreea Ioana Berechet, Romania’s Consul General…

Feb 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu