Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel marks 35 years of episcopal ministry in the Romanian Orthodox Church

On Tuesday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrates 35 years since his episcopal ordination. He was ordained as an Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Timișoara at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Timișoara on March 4, 1990, shortly after the fall of communism. Early Life and Education Born in Dobrești, Timiș County,…

Mar 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Great Lent is a spiritual spring and a path to renewal

“Great Lent is considered a spiritual spring, a renewal of the soul, which is why it coincides with the calendar spring,” said Patriarch Daniel of Romania on Clean Monday evening during the first service dedicated to the Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete. His Beatitude emphasized that the significance of fasting lies in spiritual…

Mar 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ignatie calls for a “media fast” as part of Lenten discipline: Internet addiction steals our peace

On Sunday, His Grace Bishop Ignatie of Huși officiated the Forgiveness Vespers at the diocesan Cathedral in Huși, once again urging the faithful to observe a media fast during Lent. “Fasting is more than just abstaining from food—it is a healing process from our pathological dependencies, particularly our addiction to digital media,” said the bishop.…

Mar 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop-elect Atanasie begins ministry in the UK with Oxford visit and diaconal ordination

His Grace Atanasie, the Archbishop-elect of the Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, officially commenced his episcopal ministry with a visit to the Romanian Orthodox Parish of Saint John Cassian in Oxford, where he presided over a diaconal ordination and the investment of a spiritual director. The parish celebrated its patronal feast on Sunday,…

Mar 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj: Prayer and fasting will help us overcome the world’s challenges

“It is clear to all of us that the world faces many problems, and we hope to overcome them with the help of prayer and fasting,” emphasized Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj in his message at the beginning of Great Lent. His Eminence Metropolitan Andrei noted that this period offers an excellent opportunity…

Mar 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s Central Bank issues commemorative coin for the 375th anniversary of Saint Anthimos the Iberian’s birth

The National Bank of Romania (BNR) launched a commemorative gold coin on Monday to mark the 375th anniversary of the birth of Saint Anthimos the Iberian, an emblematic cultural personality of Georgian origin who served as Metropolitan of Wallachia between 1708 and 1716. Coin Design and Features The obverse of the coin features a detailed…

Mar 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Serafim: Great Lent is a journey with Christ through His Passion

“With a kind and forgiving heart that does not hold on to resentment, we can begin Great Lent—a journey alongside our Savior Jesus Christ on the path of His Passion,” explains Metropolitan Serafim of Germany, Central, and Northern Europe in his pastoral letter at the start of Great Lent 2025. In his Lenten pastoral letter,…

Mar 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Fasting is an act of love for God, not a public display

“We do not fast to be seen or praised by people, but we fast to love God more,” said His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on Sunday during the Divine Liturgy at the historic Chapel of the Holy Great Martyr George at the Patriarchal Residence. Regarding fasting itself, the Patriarch of Romania explained that the Gospel of…

Mar 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Bulgaria: Autocephaly is a measure of a local Church’s maturity

“Autocephaly is a measure of the maturity of a local Church in indissoluble communion with the other local Churches, members of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church,” noted Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria last Saturday, as the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marked the 80th anniversary of its autocephaly recognition. His Beatitude emphasized that the world is…

Feb 26, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian officials discuss Orthodox pastoral care and Christian solidarity in Italy

The President of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, MP Ionuț Vulpescu, and Romania’s Ambassador to the Holy See, His Excellency George Bologan, were received on Monday by Bishop Siluan at the headquarters of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy. During their meeting with Bishop Siluan, the discussion emphasized and appreciated the spiritual and social assistance…

Feb 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ignatie of Huși: The Triodion period as a spiritual MRI for the soul

“The Triodion period is a time of invitation and reflection, a call to look within ourselves and conduct a kind of spiritual technical inspection. All the services performed during this period serve as a sort of spiritual MRI, showing us where we stand in our effort toward the Kingdom of God,” said Bishop Ignatie of…

Feb 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu