Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ignatie of Huși speaks on the art of dialogue at Iași theological students’ celebration

Bishop Ignatie of Huși spoke to theology students in Iași on Thursday about the art of dialogue, drawing insights from Saint Basil the Great. His Grace celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași alongside Assistant Bishop Damaschin of Dorna of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți. The day marked the feast of…

Jan 31, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas visits Dacula, Georgia, to celebrate 25 years of service by local clergy

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Two Americas visited Dacula, Georgia, on January 25–26, where the Romanian Orthodox community celebrated their shepherds: Parish Priest Nicolae Clempuș and Father David Hudson, who marked 25 years of service. The visit began on Saturday evening with the Great Vespers, followed by a sermon delivered by Metropolitan Nicolae. His…

Jan 31, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand convenes annual Assembly in Melbourne

The “Lifegiving Spring” Monastery in Melbourne hosted the annual meeting of the Diocesan Assembly of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand last weekend. On Saturday, Bishop Mihail led the clergy of the two deaneries in celebrating the Divine Liturgy and a Te Deum service to celebrate the Union of the Romanian Principalities.…

Jan 31, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel receives Saint Andrew relic from Amalfi

On Wednesday evening, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed at the Patriarchal Residence a delegation from Italy, which delivered a fragment of the relics of Saint Andrew the Apostle from Amalfi for the National Cathedral. The holy relic was offered by His Excellency Orazio Soricelli, Archbishop of Amalfi-Cava de’ Tirreni, at the request of Patriarch Daniel.…

Jan 30, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate delegation goes to Amalfi: Mons. Soricelli offers holy gift for Bucharest’s National Cathedral

His Excellency Orazio Soricelli, Archbishop of Amalfi-Cava de’ Tirreni (Catholic Church), has offered a relic of Saint Andrew the Apostle for the Romanian National Cathedral. The gift was handed over Tuesday evening to a delegation from the Romanian Patriarchate by the general vicar of the archdiocese. The delegation, present in Italy, consisted of Bishop Siluan…

Jan 30, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

10 insights for youth development from Saint Isaac the Syrian: A reflection by Bishop Benedict of Bistrița

Assistant Bishop Benedict of Bistrița, assistant bishop of the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac, and Cluj, and one of the youngest members of the Holy Synod, offers a ten-point reflection on the writings of Saint Isaac the Syrian regarding youth development. Addressing younger generations, the bishop emphasizes the importance of effort, perseverance, and generous relationships with…

Jan 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Study reveals 380 million Christians persecuted worldwide, top risk zones identified

The Open Doors organization has compiled the annual World Watch List 2025, ranking the most dangerous countries for Christians. A report covering the period from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, reveals that over 380 million Christians face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith: 1 in 7 globally, 1 in 5…

Jan 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Work progresses on Romania’s largest hearing-impaired support center

Significant progress is being made on the largest center for hearing-impaired individuals in Romania, with the roof installation set to begin soon. The Archdiocese of Bucharest launched the project in 2022, and it is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The center is located in Bucharest’s Sector 5, at 7 Doina…

Jan 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy gains official status in Italy

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy is officially being recognized as a religion in Italy. Alfredo Mantovano, Undersecretary of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, and Bishop Siluan signed the agreement on Monday at the Government State Office in Rome. The proposed law will now be presented to the Italian Parliament for approval. Key…

Jan 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Archimandrite Ambrose, Abbot of Zograf Monastery on Mount Athos, falls asleep in the Lord

Archimandrite Ambrose, Abbot of Zograf Monastery on Mount Athos, passed away on Monday at the age of 85, as announced by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Father Ambrose (Tyrolenkov) graduated from the Sofia Theological Seminary near Cherepish, Bulgaria. In 1973, he entered Bačkovo Monastery as a novice, and four years later, he was tonsured as a monk.…

Jan 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Response to Pope Francis’ statement on a unified date for Easter

Following a recent statement by Pope Francis regarding the establishment of a common date for the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord, we wish to clarify that any consultation on the date of Easter and a possible decision can only take place within the framework of a future Pan-Orthodox Council, with the participation of…

Jan 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu