Aurelian Iftimiu

Historic invitation: Romanian Patriarch may visit Republic of Moldova for first time

The hierarchs of the Metropolis of Bessarabia have expressed their desire for the Romanian Patriarch to visit the Republic of Moldova. This could mark the first visit of a Romanian Patriarch beyond the Prut River. The invitation was formalized following the Metropolitan Synod held Thursday in Chişinău. The Synod expressed its intention to officially invite…

Jan 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Press Release: Key Dates and Events of the 2025 Centennial Year in the Romanian Patriarchate

The year 2025 has been proclaimed the Solemn Year of the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate and the Commemorative Year of 20th-century Romanian Orthodox Spiritual Fathers and Confessors. In this context, several significant events are scheduled to take place in the coming months. Highlights include: February 4, 2025 – Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate The…

Jan 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Local Synod of the Metropolis of Bessarabia charts path for 2025

The Metropolitan Synod of the Metropolis of Bessarabia convened Thursday for a working session chaired by His Eminence Metropolitan Petru, Archbishop of Chişinău, Metropolitan of Bessarabia, and Exarch of the Territories. Joining him were Bishop Antonie of Bălți and Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia, as the Synod delved into key matters concerning the spiritual, pastoral,…

Jan 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru highlights the Church’s role in preserving national identity on National Culture Day

On Wednesday, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia delivered a message to mark the National Culture Day, emphasizing that this celebration transcends geographical boundaries and unites both banks of the Prut River “in a single spirit of Romanian identity and Orthodox spirituality.” How the Church preserved national identity The Metropolitan of Bessarabia highlighted the pivotal…

Jan 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel highlights Romanian Orthodox Church’s role in preserving Christian culture during communist regime

On Romania’s National Day of Culture, Patriarch Daniel published a message emphasizing the Romanian Orthodox Church’s significant role in safeguarding and promoting Christian culture during the oppressive years of communist rule. Historical Context and Cultural Contributions The Patriarch began his message by underscoring that the history of the Romanian Orthodox Church is mainly synonymous with…

Jan 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Church representatives meet in Brussels to plan EU agenda

Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the EU met on Tuesday for the first time this year during a working session held at the Orthodox Ambiorix Center in Brussels. Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium chaired the meeting, which brought together representatives of the Romanian and Bulgarian Patriarchates and the Orthodox Church of Greece. The Romanian Orthodox…

Jan 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Brothers of Christ: Metropolitan Ioan celebrates name day with homeless shelter beneficiaries in Timișoara

Last week, His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat marked his name day by sharing lunch with the beneficiaries of the Emergency Social Centre for Homeless People at Pădurea Verde in Timișoara, whom he called “brothers of Christ.” The metropolitan brought dozens of containers of warm food and dined alongside the shelter residents. “Do you see…

Jan 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanians in Zagreb begin the New Year united in prayer during the Epiphany Season

During the Epiphany season, Romanians in Zagreb gathered in prayer to usher in the New Year at the city’s Romanian church. The liturgical program began last Saturday evening with the Great Vespers service and continued on Sunday through Tuesday with the Divine Liturgy. Following Sunday’s Liturgy, Fr. Nicolae Ceruță, the parish priest of the Romanian…

Jan 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Three weeks until historic proclamation of new Romanian Saints for 2025 Centennial

Last year, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church approved the canonization of sixteen 20th-century confessors and spiritual fathers. Their canonization will be publicly proclaimed as part of the program for the Centennial Year of the Romanian Patriarchate—2025. This year, the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrates 140 years since obtaining autocephaly and 100 years since being…

Jan 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Ukrainian Ambassador visits Orthodox Vicariate in Sighetu Marmației to discuss community needs and collaborative projects

Last Friday, His Excellency Ihor Prokopchuk, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Romania, visited the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate of the Romanian Patriarchate in Sighetu Marmației, Maramureș County. During the visit, the two institutions identified potential collaborative projects. Ambassador Prokopchuk also discussed with Vicar Nicolae Lauruc the needs of the Ukrainian community in Romania, the status of ethnic minorities…

Jan 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Nearly 300 faithful attend Bishop Nectarie’s first Divine Liturgy in Dublin after enthronement

On Sunday, nearly 300 Romanian Orthodox faithful gathered at the Diocesan Centre in Dublin for the first Divine Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland following his enthronement. Guests from France and Romania attended the service, including representatives from Crasna Monastery, where Bishop Nectarie previously served as abbot, his family, and his spiritual…

Jan 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu