Aurelian Iftimiu

UK’s Romanian Orthodox Archbishop-elect bids farewell to Italy after 17 years of ministry

His Grace Atanasie, recently elected as the first Archbishop of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, bid farewell to the Romanian Orthodox community in Italy on Sunday after 17 years of ministry. The archbishop-elect celebrated his final Divine Liturgy at the Eparchial Center in Rome, where he urged the faithful to…

Feb 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

First Romanian Orthodox Bishop in North America commemorated at Mono Monastery

Bishop Policarp Morușcă, the first hierarch of Orthodox Romanians in North America, was commemorated Sunday at the Romanian Monastery of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and St. Ephraim the New in Mono, Canada. The monastery’s abbot, Hieromonk Policarp Atenagora, officiated the memorial service after the Divine Liturgy. The service reflected that Romanians in the…

Feb 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Miraculous Syriac Icon of the Mother of God marks 67 years at Ghighiu Monastery

On February 25, 1958, the miraculous “Syriac” Icon of the Mother of God was brought to Ghighiu Monastery by Metropolitan Basil Samaha of Sergiopolis from the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. For 67 years, many faithful who have prayed before the icon at Ghighiu Monastery have testified to receiving swift aid, healing, and…

Feb 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

140 years since the birth of Father John the Stranger, a key figure in the Burning Bush hesychast movement

One hundred forty years have passed since the birth of Father John the Stranger, a priest who introduced the Jesus Prayer to the Bucharest-based Burning Bush hesychast movement, as he had learned it from the elders of Optina Monastery. “John the Stranger” is the name by which Father Ioann Kulygin, born on February 24, 1885,…

Feb 24, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Ukrainian Orthodox Parish in Bucharest holds memorial for war victims on third anniversary of conflict

On Sunday, the Ukrainian Orthodox Parish “Saint Peter Mogila” in Bucharest held a memorial service for the victims of the war in Ukraine, marking three years since the conflict began. The service was preceded by the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Father Vladimir-Clement Malcovici, the parish priest of the Ukrainian community. “I have parishioners who come…

Feb 24, 2025Aurelian 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