Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Ioachim welcomes New Year: Embrace silence, live the present, be aware of God’s presence!

On New Year’s Eve, when joy often expresses itself in noisy celebrations, the Roman Archdiocesan Cathedral emphasized the importance of silence. “It is crucial to embrace silence and live in the present, fully aware of God’s presence in our lives,” said Archbishop Ioachim. “God is an eternal present. When we enter the moment suspended between…

Jan 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru urges kindness, aid, and prayer for the needy in his Christmas encyclical

“Let us offer those in need a kind word, material aid, or a prayer, fulfilling the words of the Savior: ‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me,’” urged Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia in his pastoral letter for the celebration of the Nativity of…

Jan 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

“Our participation in New Year’s celebrations should reflect eternal, not temporary values,” says Archbishop of Suceava

At the start of 2025, Archbishop Calinic of Suceava and Rădăuți emphasized a spiritual perspective on New Year’s celebrations, stating, “Our participation in New Year’s Eve should follow different coordinates and expectations than the temporary ones.” These guiding principles, he noted, are provided by Saint Paul: “Rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be…

Jan 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel declares Solemn Year 2025 a unique moment in Romanian Orthodox Church history

In his address on New Year’s day at the Patriarchal Cathedral which also marked the inauguration of the Solemn and Commemorative Year 2025 in the Romanian Patriarchate, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasized the dual role of the Patriarchate – not only as an administrative entity but as a beacon of faith and national identity. The…

Jan 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada highlights significant historical moments for Romanian and Universal Orthodoxy in 2025

Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada emphasized that we have entered a year with significant historical moments for Romanian and universal Orthodoxy. Three of these moments directly concern the Romanian Orthodox Church, while the fourth pertains to the Orthodox Church as a whole. His Grace referred to the celebration of the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate…

Jan 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop of Southern Bessarabia’s Christmas pastoral letter: A call to compassion and unity

In his pastoral letter for Christmas, which is celebrated in the Metropolis of Bessarabia on January 7 according to the unrevised Julian calendar, Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia urged believers to embody God’s compassionate love for those in suffering. “Let us become the hands of God’s merciful love for our neighbors in distress, and like…

Jan 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Hundreds mark the New Year 2025 with prayer at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest

Hundreds of faithful entered 2025 in prayer, gathering at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest to join in the thanksgiving service led by His Grace Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova. The Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bucharest shared the message of Patriarch Daniel, who reminded attendees that “the Church encourages us to approach each moment…

Jan 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania’s New Year 2025 Message: Sanctify Time and Place to Enter the Kingdom of Heaven

On New Year’s Eve, the Patriarch of Romania delivered a message reminding Christians of their calling to sanctify the place and time on earth as preparation for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. The Patriarch’s message was read by Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova during the service held Tuesday night at the Patriarchal Cathedral. In his…

Jan 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

First Celebration of Saint Gerasimus of Tismana: He overcame sins and passions through holiness

Recently canonized by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Venerable Martyr Gerasimus was celebrated for the first time last week at Tismana Monastery in Gorj County, alongside Saint Nicodemus, the founder of the monastic settlement. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia, who highlighted the similarities between…

Dec 31, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Key decisions of the Romanian Orthodox Church in 2024: Canonizations, Diaspora growth, and Centenary preparations

In 2024, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church issued several significant resolutions that shaped the spiritual and organizational life of Romanian Orthodox communities both in the country and abroad. Retrospective Overview The Synod’s decisions were made gradually, responding to the evolving needs of the faithful. A notable example was the elevation of the…

Dec 31, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Spiritual Support for Prisoners: Metropolis of Bessarabia and Romanian Embassy donate books to Chișinău Penitentiary

Last week, the Metropolis of Bessarabia and the Romanian Embassy in the Republic of Moldova made a donation of spiritual and Romanian literature books to Penitentiary No. 9 – Pruncul in Chișinău. A congratulatory and blessing message from Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia was conveyed by Hieromonk Gurie Dumbrava, who expressed gratitude to the staff of…

Dec 31, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu