Aurelian Iftimiu

Elder Parthenios warns mobile phones and internet pose major spiritual risks to monastic focus and prayer

Elder Parthenios Agiopavlitis, the abbot of the Athonite Monastery of Saint Paul, recently raised concerns over the dangers that mobile phones and the internet pose to monastic life. Reflecting on nearly 50 years as abbot, Elder Parthenios recounted incidents in which monks, who had left the world for a life devoted to God, fell prey…

Nov 6, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod secretary meets with representatives of Montenegrin Embassy to Bucharest

His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, Secretary of the Holy Synod, welcomed His Excellency Mr Dalibor Đurović, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Montenegro in Bucharest, at the Patriarchal Palace on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. Mr. Đurović was accompanied by Ms. Diandra Iluțan Podăreanu, head of the Ambassador’s office at the Montenegrin Embassy…

Nov 6, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop warns of unprecedented challenges facing youth as new parish centre opens to support spiritual and community growth

On Sunday, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești blessed the new auxiliary missionary centre of Bucharest’s Dorobanți Parish, emphasising its purpose of providing a supportive environment for youth engagement and spiritual growth. “This centre’s primary mission is youth activities,” Bishop Varlaam noted on Nov. 3. “By hosting appealing Christian activities here, we hope…

Nov 6, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate welcomes Serbian delegation, celebrating faith and cultural bonds

His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, Secretary of the Holy Synod, welcomed His Eminence Metropolitan Lukijan of Buda, administrator of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Timișoara, at the Patriarchal Palace on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Rev. Vicar Marinco Marcov, Hieromonk Varnava Kzezevic, and Protodeacon Miodrag Iovanovic accompanied him. Bishop Varlaam conveyed His Beatitude…

Nov 5, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel urges Bucharest clergy to follow the inspiring model of Healing Saints

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church has emphasized the importance of the holy unmercenary healing saints as powerful spiritual models, bridging ancient faith and modern medicine. In his message to clergy attending the autumn pastoral-missionary conference of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, the Patriarch of Romania underscored the Church’s mission to deepen understanding…

Nov 5, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox parishes in Spain provide aid to people affected by floods

Several Romanian Orthodox parishes in Spain have come to the aid of communities affected by severe flooding in the host country. The Romanian Orthodox Parish of “Saint Ephrem the New” in Torrent, Valencia, sent three cars loaded with food on Sunday to support the residents of the Valencian towns of Xenillet, Alaquás, and Aldaia. On…

Nov 4, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop meets with Deputy Ambassador of Israel to strengthen bilateral ties

On Monday, November 4, 2024, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, Secretary of the Holy Synod, welcomed His Excellency Mr. Rami Teplitskiy, Deputy Ambassador of the State of Israel to Bucharest, at the Patriarchal Palace. Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești extended a warm welcome to the Israeli Deputy Ambassador at the Romanian Patriarchate, noting…

Nov 4, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia congratulates Maia Sandu on her victory in Moldova’s presidential election

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia extended his congratulations to Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, on her election to a new term in office. “In light of Your Excellency’s election to the esteemed office of President of the Republic of Moldova, please allow us to extend our warmest and most sincere congratulations,”…

Nov 4, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy healers celebrated in November (I)

November brings our attention to 16 saints to whom believers can turn for physical and spiritual healing and for examples of how to navigate the challenges of modern society. This article provides a brief overview of the lives of 8 saints from the first part of November, noteworthy because they faced the trials of the…

Nov 4, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Alarming rise in Christian Persecution over the last two years, reports ‘Aid to the Church in Need’

Christian persecution has seen a troubling increase over the past two years, according to a report conducted in 18 countries by the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need. The report, covering the years 2022 to 2024, was presented to the British Parliament on October 22 and highlights a particularly severe rise in persecution…

Nov 1, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Alexandra Nadane: 2026 Commemorative Year will illuminate the spiritual paths for women

The 2026 Commemorative Year “will bring a greater societal understanding of the spiritual paths available to women,” said Alexandra Nadane, executive director of the Association for the Support of Pregnant Women and Families. “I was very pleased to hear that the Holy Synod has declared 2026 as the Solemn Year of Christian Family Pastoral Care…

Nov 1, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu