Aurelian Iftimiu

Venerable Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery, the first 21st-century Orthodox Saint canonized

The Romanian Orthodox Church has canonized sixteen new saints during the synodal sessions held on July 11-12. Among these, Venerable Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery stands out as the first Orthodox saint to have lived in the 21st century. Saint Sofian Boghiu Saint Sofian (Serghei Boghiu) was born on October 7, 1912, in Cuconeștii Vechi,…

Jul 15, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

250th anniversary of the translation of Saint Demetrius the New’s relics to Bucharest

Saturday, July 13, marks the 250th anniversary of the translation of Saint Demetrius the New’s relics to Bucharest. How Saint Demetrius’ relics arrived in Bucharest The historical context in which the venerated relics arrived in Romania’s capital was during the Russo-Turkish War (1768-1774). Battles were fought on Romanian soil and south of the Danube. When…

Jul 13, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod approves canonization of 16 modern-day saints

On July 11-12, The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held its working sessions at Patriarch Teoctist Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The main new decisions of the Holy Synod are as follows: a) Approval of the canonization of 16 Romanian saints, with some liturgical…

Jul 12, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy healers celebrated in July (I)

In the month of July, the Orthodox calendar features numerous healing saints, among whom Saint Panteleimon and Saints Cosmas and Damian stand out as some of the most renowned unmercenary physicians. This is the most extensive selection yet in the series of articles on holy healers, aligning with the themes of the 2024 Commemorative and…

Jul 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese, German Lutheran Diocese celebrate 30-year-long partnership

On July 6, the Orthodox Diocese of Vad, Feleac, and Cluj in central Romania and the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of Württemberg, Germany, celebrated thirty years of partnership. The anniversary was marked by a retrospective session held at the diocesan centre in Cluj-Napoca, attended by representatives from both institutions. The joint projects of the past 30…

Jul 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian priest offers financial assistance to young couples for weddings

Young people often postpone their weddings due to financial constraints. In this context, a priest from Botoșani in northern Romania has announced that his parish will assist young couples in organizing their weddings without significant economic burden. “The Pacea Church in Botoșani offers free help to future brides and grooms who wish to start a…

Jul 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Saints’ Sunday is not a day of national pride, bp Teofil of Iberia explains

“Romanian Saints’ Sunday is not a day of national pride to show that we are better than other Christian nations, but rather a day of holy joy to show what unites us with other nations, with whom we are called to bear witness to the glory of Christ’s Church,” emphasised His Grace Bishop Teofil of…

Jul 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Former Romanian President Emil Constantinescu meets with Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia

On Saturday, Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia received Prof. Dr. Emil Constantinescu, former President of Romania, at the metropolitan residence in Chișinău. The meeting’s agenda was rich and diverse, covering a wide range of topics from Romanian history and culture to the challenges and prospects of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Bessarabia. During the meeting, His…

Jul 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

250th anniversary of the translation of St. Demetrius the New’s relics to Bucharest

Saturday, July 13, 2024, marks the 250th anniversary of the translation of the relics of Saint Demetrius the New to Bucharest (July 13, 1774 – July 13, 2024). To mark this significant anniversary, a series of liturgical events will take place from July 10-14, 2024, according to the following schedule: Wednesday, July 10, 2024 4:00…

Jul 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s message at the Opening of Ploiești Orthodox Youth Meeting: Youth are a source of hope and witnesses of Christ’s joy

On Saturday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel sent a message at the official opening of the Orthodox Youth Meeting of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, held in Ploiești on July 5-8. The message was read by His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești. “I urge you to keep your faith and moral values, to be living…

Jul 8, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

First Orthodox monastery on Scottish Islands in 1,000 years consecrated on the Isle of Mull

On Sunday, His Grace Assistant Bishop Atanasie of Bogdania officiated the consecration service for the “All Celtic Saints” Monastery in Kilninian, on the Isle of Mull. This is the first Orthodox monastic establishment inaugurated on the Scottish islands in the last 1,000 years. The service, conducted with the blessing of Metropolitan Iosif of Western and…

Jul 8, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu