Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Carols heal sadness and bring holy joy

On Tuesday evening, during the traditional Christmas carols concert “The Rising Sun” at the Patriarchal Palace, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasized the carols’ profound spiritual and emotional impact. Addressing the audience, he described Christmas carols as a source of joy and faith, capable of healing sadness and despair. “Carols are our response to God’s love,”…

Dec 18, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel reflects on the Prophet Daniel: Protector of those far from home who keep their faith

Patriarch Daniel of Romania celebrated his name day on Tuesday, the feast day of the Prophet Daniel. Following the Te Deum service officiated by His Grace Bishop Paisie of Sinaia, His Beatitude remarked that the prophet “also appears as a protector of those far from home who preserve the faith of their people and their homeland.”…

Dec 18, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif urges UK youth to answer God’s call: “The Church is our response to His invitation”

His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe spoke to the youth of Nepsis UK about God’s invitation in the Parable of the Great Banquet. “The Church is our response to God’s call,” His Eminence emphasized. The Divine Liturgy celebrated on Sunday at “Saint George” Parish in London-Holborn concluded the Nepsis UK Youth Congress,…

Dec 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru’s message on behalf of Moldovan believers: Gratitude for Patriarch Daniel

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of Patriarch Daniel’s name day, emphasizing that on the feast of the Holy Prophet Daniel, “all the clergy and faithful people of Bessarabia turn their hearts and minds, filled with gratitude and love,” towards His Beatitude. “We, together with all the servants of the…

Dec 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania’s Name Day: Connecting his mission to the Prophet Daniel

The Holy Prophet Daniel, a shepherd to his people during the Babylonian exile, is the spiritual protector of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, who leads the Romanian Orthodox Church during a period when Romanians are most extensively spread across all meridians of the globe. Saint Daniel, honoured on December 17, lived for nearly 90 years and…

Dec 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Diaconia Social Mission of the Metropolis of Bessarabia wins Best Volunteer Management Award

The Diaconia Social Mission of the Metropolis of Bessarabia was named the organization with the best volunteer management at the 2024 NGO Gala. The awards ceremony took place on December 4 in Chișinău as part of the NGO Forum “Civil Society for European Integration,” organized by the NGO Council. “This recognition is due to the…

Dec 16, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Media meeting in the Metropolis of Oltenia: Combating fake news and enhancing church communication

Last week, His Eminence Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia chaired a meeting with media representatives from the Metropolis of Oltenia. The discussions focused on adopting modern communication tools and combating the spreading of fake news. Emphasis on Responsibility in Communication His Eminence Metropolitan Irineu highlighted the importance of responsibility in disseminating information and the media’s role…

Dec 16, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

New priest of Brisbane Romanian community meets with Greek Bishop

Last week, Fr. Mihail Suciu, the newly appointed parish priest of the Romanian Orthodox community in Brisbane, Australia, met with His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane, Vema reports. During their meeting, the two discussed the recent visit of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Australia. On this occasion, Bishop Bartholomew expressed gratitude to His Grace…

Dec 16, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s 2024 Christmas Pastoral Letter: Christ’s Nativity brings joy to all

In his annual Christmas Pastoral Letter, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church emphasized the profound joy that the Nativity of Jesus Christ brings to believers, describing it as the “joy of salvation.” The message, titled “The Nativity of Christ, Joy for All,” reflects on the biblical account where angels announce the birth of Christ…

Dec 16, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Ontario passes law officially establishing Orthodox Christian Week

The Ontario regional legislature passed Bill 167 last week, officially designating Orthodox Christian Week. “The seven-day period each year, starting on Orthodox Easter Sunday, is proclaimed as Orthodox Christian Week,” states the Ontario Parliament’s website. MP Tom Rakocevic introduced the bill at the end of 2023 and acknowledges the profound spiritual significance of Orthodox Christian…

Dec 16, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

11 holy healers celebrated in December

With these 11 saints celebrated in December, we conclude a series of articles dedicated to the 2024 Commemorative Year. These articles have introduced 136 holy healers—both well-known and lesser-known—honoured by the Church annually. St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia – December 2 Saint Porphyrios was born in 1906 in a village on the island of Evia, Greece.…

Dec 13, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu