Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox youth in Germany to hold annual gathering focusing on loneliness, egoism and love

The Association of Romanian Orthodox Youth in Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg (ATORG) will hold its annual meeting in Vienna from October 11 to 13, 2024. ATORG invites participants to explore how loneliness and egoism can be diminished, both from the perspective of biblical values and teachings and from the practical teachings of Orthodoxy. According to…

Aug 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate publishes first edition of funeral service in Ukrainian language

The Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate has recently published the first edition of the Funeral Rites in Ukrainian, which provides a uniform liturgical text for all Ukrainian Orthodox parishes under the Romanian Patriarchate. The book was compiled with the contributions of Fr. Marius N. Lauruc, a counsellor at the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in Romania, and Oxana and…

Aug 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Parish in Malaga receives funding for new religious and cultural centre

The Romanian Orthodox Parish “Saint John the Baptist” in the province of Malaga, Spain, has received funding to renovate, restructure, and equip a space dedicated exclusively to the religious, cultural, and social activities of the Romanian community. The sum of approximately 240,000 euros has been provided by the Department for Romanians Abroad (DRP). The Romanian…

Aug 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Ukrainians in Romania pray for peace on Ukraine’s Independence Day

On August 24, Ukrainian Orthodox communities marked Ukraine’s Independence Day by offering prayers of thanksgiving and holding memorial services for the fighters who have fallen in the ongoing war in Romania’s neighbouring country. Special prayers for peace, as recommended by His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of Romania, in March 2022, were also recited in every Ukrainian…

Aug 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

National Museum of the 1989 Anti-Communist Revolution to be built in Timișoara

The Ministry of Culture has announced the current progress in preparing the National Museum of the 1989 Anti-Communist Revolution. The museum will operate under the ministry’s auspices in the historic building of the former Command Headquarters of the Military Garrison in downtown Timișoara, which will be restored and modernized. The permanent exhibition will showcase the…

Aug 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Ambassador visits Diocese of Southern Bessarabia to discuss ongoing projects and community challenges

On Monday, His Grace Bishop Veniamin, the Bishop of Southern Bessarabia, welcomed His Excellency Cristian-Leon Țurcanu, the Ambassador of Romania to the Republic of Moldova, and Gabriel Nicola, the Consul General of Romania in Cahul, the press office of the Diocese of Southern Bessarabia reported. During the meeting, His Grace Bishop Veniamin highlighted the missionary…

Aug 27, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Clergy Conference of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas explores psycho-spiritual health and pastoral care

The Clergy Conference of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas was held at the Romanian Orthodox Parish in Mississauga, Ontario, from August 22 to August 24, 2024. The event convened monastics, priests, and deacons from various parts of the city to engage in a conversation about pastoral themes and psycho-spiritual health. Bishop Ioan Casian…

Aug 27, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru on Moldova’s Independence Day: A moment of reflection on the Church’s role in preserving identity

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia sent a message to all Bessarabians on Tuesday to mark the Independence Day of the Republic of Moldova. “On this festive day, we wish to convey our congratulations to all Bessarabian Romanians, both those living on this blessed land and those who, for various reasons, are far away, seeking…

Aug 27, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Pre-Iconoclastic fresco of the Virgin Mary discovered on Greek Island of Naxos

A fresco depicting the Virgin Mary from the pre-iconoclastic period (726-842) has been discovered in a Byzantine church on the Greek island of Naxos. The discovery is rare, as most icons were removed from churches or covered during the iconoclastic period. The fresco, portraying the Mother of God, was uncovered behind a layer of lime…

Aug 26, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s sermon: If a person prays, they are no longer alone

One conclusion of the Gospel reading for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost is that “if a person prays, they are no longer alone, even if they are in solitude,” according to His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. Essentially, the Gospel about Jesus walking on the sea and calming the storm shows us that strong faith in Christ…

Aug 26, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Religious Education teachers in the Metropolis of Bessarabia set priorities ahead of new School Year

Religious education teachers from the Metropolis of Bessarabia met last week to discuss the new school year‘s curriculum. They established several priorities related to strategies for strengthening religious education in schools. The meeting was held at “Metropolitan Gurie Grosu” Hall at the Metropolitan Residence in Chișinău. The session was streamed online to facilitate participation for…

Aug 26, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu