Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop of Canterbury: I pray for Romania and for the continued growth and influence of the Romanian Church

“I pray for Romania and for the continued growth and influence of the Romanian Church, and I give thanks for the opportunity to strengthen our relationship,” said the Archbishop of Canterbury, His Grace Justin Welby, in a message posted on social media on Thursday. The message comes following the reception at Lambeth Palace in London…

Nov 24, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

“Mount Athos Nightingale” Nectarios Protopsaltes is considered for sainthood, Patriarch Daniel announces at Bucharest Archdiocese Monastic Synaxis

During his speech at the Monastic Synaxis of the Bucharest Archdiocese on Thursday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel referred to the desire to canonize Nectarios Protopsaltes, an Athonite monk of Romanian origin who was the disciple of the newly-glorified Saint Macarios Protopsaltes. Regarding the Commemorative Year of hymnographers and church chanters (psaltai), His Beatitude recalled that…

Nov 24, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Days in 2024 & 2025 when marriage is not permitted

The Orthodox Church established that marriages are not performed on fast days, during fasting seasons, or on the major feasts of the church. Some of these days vary according to the liturgical calendar, making it difficult for young people to plan their weddings. In this context, we provide the days when marriages are not performed…

Nov 23, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Banat Metropolitan welcomes “Friends of Together for Europe” at Timisoara Cathedral

On November 16-18, the ‘Friends of Together for Europe‘ convened its annual meeting in Timisoara, one of the localities designated ‘European Cultural Capital 2023’. More than two hundred delegates from 29 European countries, including the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Romania, Norway, Germany, Portugal, Greece, and Austria, witnessed the event. The programme encompassed attendance at the Vespers…

Nov 23, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel urges support for young people’s aspirations in 2023 Romanian Youth Gala message

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel addressed the participants in Romania’s Youth Gala held last Saturday in Târgu Jiu, the city bearing this year’s title of capital of Youth in Romania.  The Romanian Youth Gala took place on November 18, 2023, at the “Constantin Brancusi” University Auditorium in Targu Jiu, as organised by the Ministry of Family,…

Nov 23, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel inaugurates museum of ecclesiastical art exhibiting collection of German convert to Orthodoxy

Last week, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel inaugurated a museum of ecclesiastical art at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest. The exhibits belong to a collection of Peter and Monica Maria Peterson. The event was attended by patriarchal auxiliary bishops Varlaam of Ploiești and Paisie of Sinaia, patriarchal advisers, people of culture, as well as members of…

Nov 20, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Season’s first snow over monasteries in Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina: in pictures

Monasteries in the Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina were adorned with natural white vestments on Saturday after the weather suddenly turned cold, and the first snow fell before the start of winter according to the meteorological calendar. The first snow was not long expected in some areas of the North-Eastern region of Romania, especially in…

Nov 20, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Synod held in Chisinau: Bessarabia Metropolis announces large-scale projects

The Synod of the Metropolis of Bessarabia met on Wednesday for a working session at the Metropolitan Residence in Chisinau. The hierarchs also met with Romania’s Secretary of State for Religious Affairs and a delegation from the Basilica Media Centre. His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia, the Bishop of Balti, and the Bishop of Southern…

Nov 17, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Father Dumitru Cobzaru offers interview about the current state of monasticism: Adaptation for balance

Radio Renașterea conducted an in-depth interview with the Very Reverend Archimandrite Dumitru Cobzaru, exarch of the monasteries of the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac, and Cluj, regarding the present condition of monasticism in Romania. The Archimandrite emphasised that contemporary monasticism maintains its authenticity by updating itself while adhering to the principles established by the Holy Fathers…

Nov 17, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Armenian Catholic Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian visits Bucharest Patriarchal Palace

His Beatitude Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenian Catholic Church, arrived at the Palace of the Patriarchate in Bucharest on Thursday as part of a multi-day visit to Romania. Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești cordially received the Armenian Patriarch and his delegation. In addition to introducing the historical building, the…

Nov 17, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Transylvania Metropolitan urges frequent participation in Divine Liturgy, in Nativity Fast message

During the initial days of the Nativity Fast, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurențiu of Transylvania issued a pastoral message suggesting that forty Divine Liturgies be reenjoined, as was the customary practise among the earliest Christian communities. “The Christians of the first centuries knew that every Divine Liturgy is the eternal Last Supper in the Kingdom of…

Nov 17, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu