Aurelian Iftimiu

From medicine to theology: Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia recounts his journey towards faith

His Eminence Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia spoke on a ProTV Chișinău podcast about the path that led him from medical studies to theology and, subsequently, to monastic life. Metropolitan Antonie explained that his interest in theology began while he was studying medicine, when his psychiatry courses prompted questions about the existence of the soul and…

Aug 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Athanasios of Latakia consecrates Putna Monastery metochion: ‘We are brothers in Christ. Nothing separates us’

His Eminence Metropolitan Athanasios of Latakia (Patriarchate of Antioch) consecrated on Sunday evening the church of Putna Monastery’s metochion at Poiana Mănăstirii, Suceava County. “We are brothers in Christ. Nothing separates us,” the visiting hierarch said. “We are one Body – the Body of Christ. And this Body is the Church. Even though we speak…

Aug 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel presents Saint Maria Brâncoveanu as model of faith, patience and generosity

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania described Saint Maria Brâncoveanu as a model of Christian faith and courage whose trust in God enabled her to endure the martyrdom of her husband and four sons, years of captivity and exile without falling into despair. In a message delivered on Sunday at the local proclamation of her…

Aug 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Local proclamation of Saint Maria Brâncoveanu: Churches she supported receive reliquary icons

The local proclamation of Saint Maria Brâncoveanu’s canonisation took place on Sunday at the New St George Church in Bucharest. Churches founded or supported by the saint received icons containing a fragment of her holy relics. These included the St Nicholas “Dintr-o Zi” Church in Bucharest, the monasteries of Hurezi, Surpatele and Dintr-un Lemn in…

Aug 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox monk warns of ‘virtual narcissism’ fuelled by social media validation

The Very Rev. Protosyncellus Sofian Costea has discussed the tendency to seek the approval of others online in a new episode of Doxologia’s video series “ASKetica”, explaining that “we chase after vainglory and motivation that comes from people, and less after the glory that comes from God”. Fr Sofian, who is blind yet continues his…

Aug 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Jerusalem Patriarchate prepares for 2,000th anniversary of Christ’s Baptism in 2030

The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem discussed preparations for events marking the 2,000th anniversary of the Lord’s Baptism in 2030. The hierarchs, meeting under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, reviewed plans on Thursday for a series of events along the River Jordan highlighting the anniversary’s historical and spiritual…

Aug 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian church in Canada rises again after 2023 fire, Patriarch Daniel says

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania sent a message of congratulations and blessing on Saturday for the consecration of the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God and St Demetrius the Myrrh-Gusher at the Romanian Orthodox parish in Boian, Alberta, Canada. The community rebuilt its church after a fire destroyed its more-than-century-old place…

Aug 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: The Mother of God remains present in the world through her prayers

“Although the Mother of God passes through death and is then taken up to heaven in body as well as in soul, she remains forever present in the world through her prayers,” Patriarch Daniel of Romania said on Saturday at the historic Chapel of St George the Great Martyr at the Patriarchal Residence. His Beatitude…

Aug 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan of Bessarabia on Dormition Fast: ‘Through fasting, we learn to say no to the passions’

The Dormition Fast began on Friday, 14 August, for Orthodox Christians following the unrevised Julian calendar. On this occasion, His Eminence Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia issued a message urging the faithful to use the fasting period to strengthen themselves spiritually. “God gives us these days to prepare ourselves to understand the great mystery of the…

Aug 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox bishop in Australia urges families to teach children the faith

His Grace Bishop Mihail of Australia and New Zealand served on Sunday at the Romanian Orthodox Parish of the Holy Brâncoveanu Martyrs in Sydney, Australia. “Let us teach our children our Orthodox Christian faith,” His Grace said. The hierarch celebrated the Divine Liturgy together with His Grace Bishop Iachint of the Pacific, Assistant Bishop of…

Aug 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania hosts camp for 30 Ukrainian children affected by war: ‘Peace can begin with a child smiling again’

An international camp took place in Moisei, Maramureș County, Romania, and hosted 30 Ukrainian children affected by the war. The camp took place from 7 to 13 August as part of the “Maramureș for Peace” project, initiated by Senator Cristian-Augustin Niculescu-Țâgârlaș, a member of the Romanian Parliament’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council…

Aug 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu