Aurelian Iftimiu

US Orthodox Bishops Assembly releases homelessness guidebook for parishes

A pastoral care and support guide for individuals who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their residences has been made available by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States to parishes. Theological insights are included in the publication, which is primarily focused on practical guidance for Orthodox missions that target…

Nov 29, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Fasting alone is not enough without acts of mercy

“It is not enough to abstain from harming others; one must also do much good to achieve salvation,” Patriarch Daniel reminded the faithful last Sunday during his sermon at the Chapel of St. George the Great Martyr in the Patriarchal Residence. Reflecting on the Gospel reading about Christ’s dialogue with a rich young ruler (Luke…

Nov 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

CROCEU meeting in Istanbul strengthens Orthodox Church dialogue with the European Union

The Committee of Representatives of Orthodox Churches to the European Union (CROCEU) held its annual meeting from November 20 to November 23 in Istanbul under the auspices of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople. The event commenced with religious services held in historic locations and included discussions on enhancing dialogue between the Orthodox…

Nov 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Elia of Oulu elected Archbishop of Helsinki and All Finland: A new chapter for the Orthodox Church of Finland

During Thursday’s working session of the Church Assembly of the Autonomous Orthodox Church of Finland, Metropolitan Elia of Oulu was elected Archbishop of Helsinki and All Finland. The meeting followed the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior at Valaam Monastery. Archbishop Leo, the current Primate of the Autonomous Orthodox…

Nov 28, 2024Aurelian 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