Aurelian Iftimiu

Greece’s OXI Day celebrated by Greek community in Bucharest, honouring WWII heroes

Greece’s OXI Day, considered the second national day of the Greek people, was celebrated on Sunday at the “Annunciation” Church of the Greek community in Bucharest. On this occasion, Fr. Ioan Moldoveanu, the parish priest, led a Te Deum service and commemorated the heroes who fell defending their homeland in World War II. Among those…

Oct 30, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Nicolae celebrates patronal feast of Middletown monastery, emphasizes call to holiness and spiritual renewal

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Saturday for the patronal feast of the Romanian Monastery “Saint Demetrius the New” in Middletown, New York. On this occasion, the Romanian Metropolitan of the Americas spoke about the action of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in each individual’s personal life.…

Oct 30, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Church proclaims canonization of Saint Macarius Protopsaltes, Father of Romanian Chanting

The canonization of Saint Macarius Protopsaltes was proclaimed on Sunday following the Divine Liturgy celebrated for the Feast of Saint Demetrius the New. His Grace Varlaam of Ploiești, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop and Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, read the Synodal Tomos of Canonization. After the proclamation, the troparion of Saint…

Oct 29, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Church music combined with prayer contributes to spiritual health

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasized the powerful role of church music in fostering spiritual well-being as the 16th edition of the National Church Music Festival-Competition Praise the Lord! took place this year, aligning with the theme of pastoral care for the sick and a commemorative year dedicated to healer saints. The festival held last Saturday…

Oct 29, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

2024 St. Demetrius celebrations: Patriarch Daniel reflects on healing and resurrection, as Bucharest temporarily houses St Lazarus relic

Healing and resurrection took centre stage in the sermon delivered Sunday by Patriarch Daniel to thousands of pilgrims gathered in Bucharest for the feast of St. Demetrius the New and to venerate the honoured relics of St. Lazarus brought from Cyprus. Patriarch Daniel was joined in service by the Archbishop of Cyprus and other hierarchs.…

Oct 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Basilica Media Centre marks 17 years with on-scene coverage of St Demetrius the New Feast

This Sunday marked 17 years since the founding of the Basilica Media Centre, the press branch of the Romanian Patriarchate. Journalists from all five of its components were celebrating by bringing live coverage of the annual feast of St. Demetrius the New, the patron saint of Bucharest. Founded on October 27, 2007, Basilica Media Centre…

Oct 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop of Cyprus raises his voice in Bucharest about his nation’s struggle: We must follow St Demetrius the Great Martyr

His Beatitude Archbishop George of New Justiniana and All Cyprus led the liturgy for the feast of St. Demetrius the Great Martyr at the Patriarchal Cathedral’s outdoor altar in Bucharest. During his sermon, Archbishop George reflected on St. Demetrius’s sacrifice, drawing a parallel to the ongoing hardships of the Cypriot Orthodox people. “The Romanian people…

Oct 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church designates 2026 as Year of Christian Family Ministry and Celebration of Holy Women

The Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate officially declared 2026 the Solemn Year of Christian Family Ministry and the Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the church calendar (Myrrh-bearers, Martyrs, Venerable Women, Wives, and Mothers). The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church ratified this decision on Friday, October 25. Solemn Year of Christian Family Ministry The emphasis…

Oct 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod announces 2026 focus on family pastoral care and commemoration of Holy Women, sets plans for Centennial events

The working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church was conducted on Friday, October 25, 2024, in the Aula Magna “Patriarch Teoctist” of the Patriarchal Palace, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. Following the elections for the Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Romanian Orthodox…

Oct 26, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Newly elected Bishop of Ireland and Iceland grateful for God’s blessings over past year

“I thank Almighty God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon me in this year of service. I am the most recently ordained, and by the work of the Holy Spirit, God has appointed me to the youngest diocese—not only in the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe but within the entire…

Oct 25, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

UK Archdiocese to serve largest Romanian Diaspora community: Archbishop-elect feels grateful yet overwhelmed

“I take on this responsibility with gratitude, but at the same time, I am overwhelmed,” declared His Grace Bishop Atanasie on Friday after being elected to the office of Archbishop of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. “The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has entrusted me with the mission in a diocese where the…

Oct 25, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu