Aurelian Iftimiu

Gratitude is the fulfilment of history: Metropolitan Nicolae’s Message for Thanksgiving 2024

“The national Thanksgiving holiday is a welcome occasion to announce, ahead of time, together with the angels, glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill among men (Luke 2:14),” noted His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas in his Thanksgiving message. “Our reflection ought to be complete…

Nov 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

National Cathedral receives significant relic of St. Andrew: Right leg fibula

The National Cathedral in Romania has been gifted a significant relic: a fragment of the right leg fibula of Saint Andrew the Apostle. The donation was made by His Grace Siluan, Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Italy, on behalf of all the parishes in the Italian peninsula. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel received the holy relic during…

Nov 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia highlights sacred calling of monasticism at annual synaxis

In a spiritual epistle sent on the occasion of the Monastic Synaxis held on Monday in the Archdiocese of Craiova, Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia observed that “the mystery of monasticism is the most sacred calling that God has given to people.” “Therefore, whoever wishes to follow Christ the Saviour must leave worldly life and open…

Nov 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia encourages spiritual peace at beginning of old calendar Nativity Fast

“During these holy days, we are called to withdraw from the noise of the world, from conflicts and disturbances, and seek spiritual peace – hesychia – so cherished by the Holy Fathers,” said Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia on Thursday, the first day of the Nativity Fast according to the unrevised calendar. In his message, the…

Nov 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian historical communities begin Nativity Fast according to Old Calendar

The Nativity Fast begins on Thursday in most Romanian historical communities following the unrevised calendar. While Romanians in Romania commemorate St. Stephen the Younger and St. Irinarch on this day, most Romanians beyond the borders honour St. Paisius Velichkovsky of Neamț and Saints Gurias, Samonas and Habibus. Key feast days differ for those observing the old calendar.…

Nov 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Efforts intensify for opening of Romania’s National Cathedral by autumn 2025

In the context of the sixth anniversary of the consecration of the National Cathedral altar, Father Nicolae Crîngașu, a patriarchal adviser and coordinator of the construction project, provided an update on construction progress during an interview with Trinitas TV. Father Crîngașu highlighted significant advancements since 2018, including visible structural developments and extensive work on the…

Nov 27, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Ancient mosaic with first Jesus as God inscription on display at Washington Museum of the Bible

The “Megiddo Mosaic,” a mosaic discovered in ancient Megiddo, northern Israel, including the oldest known inscription proclaiming Jesus as God, is on exhibit at the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. (U.S.). The Biblical Archaeology Society (BAS) states that the mosaic “adds much to our understanding of early Christian communities in the Holy Land.…

Nov 27, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Serbian Orthodox Bishop enthroned in London, joined by Romanian hierarchs

The new Serbian Orthodox Bishop of Great Britain and Ireland, His Grace Bishop Nektarije (Samardžić), was enthroned on Sunday at St. Sava Cathedral in London. Serbian Patriarch Porfirije presided over the ceremony, which also marked the formal establishment of the diocese, which is headquartered in London. Romanian Orthodox hierarchs attending the event included His Eminence…

Nov 26, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Theology students in Bucharest celebrate Patron Saint Catherine at University Chapel

On Monday, Orthodox theology students in Bucharest honoured Saint Catherine, the patron saint of the Chapel of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, Secretary of the Holy Synod, along with an assembly of clergy who are also faculty members. “On behalf of…

Nov 26, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch receives Israel’s Ambassador for courtesy visit

On Monday, November 25, 2024, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania welcomed His Excellency Mr. Lior Ben Dor, the Ambassador of Israel to Romania, for a courtesy visit at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest. Patriarch Daniel praised Ambassador Ben Dor’s extensive diplomatic experience and highlighted the excellent relations between Romania and Israel. A pertinent example…

Nov 26, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romfilatelia launches 2024 Christmas stamp collection celebrating the Lord’s Nativity

Last Friday, Romfilatelia unveiled its latest stamp issue dedicated to the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, titled “Christmas 2024.” The philatelic collection features two stamps, a perforated souvenir sheet, a “first-day” cover, and a special philatelic folder produced in a limited edition. The collection’s centrepiece is the stamp on the souvenir sheet, with a…

Nov 26, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu