Aurelian Iftimiu

Mediterranean plant used to prepare Holy Chrism, acclimatised at Buzău Plant Genetic Resources Bank

Agerpres reports that the Plant Genetic Resources Bank (BRGV) in Buzău has acclimatised a Mediterranean plant, Cistus ladanifer, also known as the gum rockrose, from which one of the essential oils used in preparing the Holy Chrism is extracted. “We were afraid that the winter frost might affect it, but no, it adapted very well.…

May 23, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Disciple of Saint Nikephoros the Leper and the most modern canonized Saint: 25 years since his repose

On May 23, we commemorate 25 years since the repose of the most modern saint, who was canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in March 2022: Venerable Evmenios Saridakis. Known primarily as a disciple of Saint Nikephoros the Leper, Evmenios himself had leprosy, which he accepted with joy and from which he was later healed.…

May 23, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Nicolae highlights courage and joy of Myrrh-Bearing Women at Chicago Cathedral patronal feast

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas presided over the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Chicago. He highlighted the courage of the myrrh-bearing women and the joy with which they received the news of the Lord’s Resurrection. Although the patronal feast of Saints Constantine and his mother, Helen, is typically commemorated…

May 23, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

30th anniversary of Germany’s Romanian Orthodox Metropolis to be marked with special events in Munich

Two festive events will be organized in Munich next week to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Germany, Central and Northern Europe. On Thursday evening, May 30, Munich’s St. John the Baptist Church will be filled with the harmonious melodies of the National Opera’s Symphony Orchestra and the “Tronos” Byzantine Choir of the Patriarchal…

May 23, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Filantropia Federation of the Romanian Patriarchate becomes a member of Eurodiaconia

On Wednesday, the Filantropia Federation of the Romanian Patriarchate joined Eurodiaconia, a European network of social organisations, expanding an eight-year-old collaboration. The Romanian Patriarchate hosted the General Assembly of Eurodiaconia from May 14 to May 17. Representatives of over 60 member organizations attended this meeting. The national representative of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Eurodiaconia…

May 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel praises women working in medical units in annual message on Sunday of Myrrhbearers

On the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, when the Church pays tribute to Christian Women, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania conveyed a message highlighting the courage of the Myrrhbearers, presenting them as role models for contemporary women. He expressed his gratitude to “all grandmothers, mothers, and sisters who have borne witness to Christ, the…

May 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Ephrem of Tripoli prayerfully remember Romanian theologians Dumitru Staniloae and Andrei Scrima at Cernica Monastery

On Thursday, Antiochian Metropolitan Ephrem of Tripoli, Al-Koura, and Dependencies commemorated Fathers Dumitru Stăniloae and Andrei Scrima at Cernica Monastery. The memorial service was attended by His Grace Bishop Qais Sadiq, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop of the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, who cares for the Arab community in Bucharest, Rev. Professor Porphyrios Georgi…

May 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Diocese of Dacia Felix issues statement on restriction of access in Kosovo for Serbian Orthodox Patriarch

On Thursday, the Press Office of the Diocese of Dacia Felix issued a statement concerning the announcement published Tuesday on the Serbian Orthodox Church’s official website regarding the restriction of access to the province of Kosovo for Patriarch Porfirije and several Serbian hierarchs. “We express our sorrow regarding these events and our sadness over the…

May 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

UNESCO World Heritage: Several religious sites in Romania added to the tentative list

Romania’s Minister of Culture Raluca Turcan announced on her Facebook page Wednesday that several monuments have been proposed for UNESCO World Heritage status by being included in the country’s Tentative List. Peleș and Pelișor Castles, several former communist prisons, the “Holy Three Hierarchs” Church in Iaşi, the “Dormition of the Mother of God” Church of…

May 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

How the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy grew to nearly 500 communities in just 16 years

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, which is celebrating its sixteenth anniversary, consists of 478 pastoral-missionary units, 278 of which are parishes. These communities are served by 310 priests and 25 deacons, and 62 parishes own their places of worship. The establishment of the diocese was approved in the last synodal session presided over by…

May 15, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru on Int’l Family Day: No matter how small and modest, home should be the most precious place on Earth

Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia conveyed a heartfelt message on Wednesday for the International Day of Families, emphasizing that “no matter how small and modest it may be, the home should be the most precious place on Earth for a loving family member.” “It should be filled with love, peace, and understanding, so that wherever one…

May 15, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu