Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch: Priests’ families serve as healthy models amid unprecedented attacks on marriage and family

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople emphasized the role of priests’ families as “healthy models” during an era when “the God-given institution of Christian marriage and the traditional family is being attacked like never before.” His remarks were made on October 9 during a meeting with priests and their wives in Sydney and Canberra, Australia.…

Oct 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Church representatives to the EU discuss relations with other Christian organizations in Europe

The Committee of Representatives of Orthodox Churches to the European Union (CROCEU) held a meeting on Tuesday at the Orthodox Center Ambiorix in Brussels. The gathering, chaired by Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, brought together representatives from the Romanian Patriarchate, the Bulgarian Patriarchate, and the Orthodox Church of Greece. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation with…

Oct 16, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

St. Paraskeva draws thousands of faithful to Iași: “Without a longing for God, one cannot understand the pilgrimage”

Tens of thousands of pilgrims gathered in Iași on Monday to celebrate the Feast of Saint Paraskeva. In his homily, Metropolitan Teofan emphasized that only those who share the pilgrims’ deep longing for God can truly understand their journey. The Divine Liturgy was held at the outdoor altar near the Metropolitan Cathedral, concelebrated by an…

Oct 16, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam explains the tradition of venerating holy relics: It does not lack biblical justification

On Monday, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the “St Petka” Church in the Drumul Taberei neighbourhood of Bucharest. During the service, the Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop spoke about the tradition of venerating holy relics and emphasized the scriptural foundations of this practice. “This is not a gesture without…

Oct 15, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Siluan of Hungary leads service at Saint Paraskeva church in Gyula for its 160th consecration anniversary

On Sunday, Bishop Siluan of Hungary officiated a special service at the Romanian Orthodox Parish in Gyula, Hungary, marking the feast of Saint Paraskeva and the 160th anniversary of the church’s consecration. The event gathered many faithful from Gyula and surrounding parishes, as well as several local dignitaries. Among the attendees were Daniel Banu, the…

Oct 15, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

20th anniversary of Saint-Hubert Diocesan Cathedral celebrated by Romanian community in Canada

On Sunday, October 6, the Romanian Orthodox community in Canada marked a significant milestone as the Diocesan Cathedral in Saint-Hubert, Québec, celebrated its 20th anniversary. The event brought together community members for a special Divine Liturgy, celebrated by His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian, the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada. Bishop Ioan Casian was joined by…

Oct 15, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Church consecration in Durham: Christ rejoices in every gesture done in His name

“The Lord Christ rejoices at every gesture, every thought, and every action we do for Him and in His name. Even more so when we build Him a house,” said Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe at the consecration ceremony of the church in Durham, United Kingdom. The consecration service was officiated on Saturday,…

Oct 15, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Saint Paraskeva shows us that holiness does not depend on age

Saint Paraskeva “shows us that holiness does not depend on age,” said Patriarch Daniel on Monday. “You don’t need to be advanced in age to be holy; rather, the intensity of faith, piety, kindness, or merciful love demonstrates the holiness of Christ at work in those who carry His merciful love in their hearts.” His…

Oct 15, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira attends St Paraskeva feast in Iași: Pilgrimage is part of our Christian life

“Pilgrimage is part of our Christian life, and this must not be lost,” emphasized Archbishop Nikitas Loulias of Thyateira and Great Britain during the celebration of Saint Paraskeva in Iași on Monday. His Eminence spoke about the importance of pilgrimage in Christians’ lives, offering Saint Paraskeva as an example. “Saint Paraskeva herself was a pilgrim,…

Oct 14, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

New church in Republic of Moldova dedicated to St. Demetrius and the 250th anniversary of his relics’ translation to Romania

On Thursday, four Romanian bishops and one Bulgarian bishop consecrated a church in the village of Gotești, Cantemir District, Republic of Moldova, to honour Saint Demetrius the New. The consecration took place on the 250th anniversary of the translation of St. Demetrius the New’s relics to Bucharest. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel presented the “St. Demetrius…

Oct 11, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia leads patronal feast of St. John the Theologian Chapel in Chișinău

On Wednesday, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the “St. John the Theologian” Metropolitan Chapel in Chișinău on the occasion of the chapel’s patronal feast. According to the unrevised calendar, the feast of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John is celebrated on October 9. The sermon was delivered by Father…

Oct 11, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu