Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch marks 65 years since ordination: My entire journey has been ‘a life in dialogue’

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I marked the 65th anniversary of his ordination to the diaconate on Thursday, 13 August, on his native island of Imbros (Gökçeada). “My entire journey has been a life in dialogue,” His All-Holiness stressed. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Ecumenical Patriarch together with His Beatitude Theodore II, Pope and…

Aug 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian metropolitan visits Canada: We pass from death to life by being filled with Christ

“The feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God is such a great feast because the Mother of God chose humility, just like her Son,” Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe said on Friday evening at the Romanian Orthodox parish in Boian, Alberta, Canada. His Eminence celebrated the all-night vigil for…

Aug 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian bishop in Sydney: The Mother of God remains present among Christians

“Although the Mother of God was humble throughout her life, she was not absent,” Romanian Orthodox Bishop Mihail of Australia and New Zealand said on Saturday at the Saint Mary Romanian Orthodox Parish in Sydney, Australia. “Just as the Ascension of the Lord did not mean, and did not remain, an absence from the midst…

Aug 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel blesses reliquary holding relics of St Maria Brâncoveanu and her sons

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel blessed the reliquary on Thursday, which holds the relics of Saint Maria Brâncoveanu and her sons, Stephen and Matthew. The blessing service was officiated in the historic Chapel of “Saint George the Trophy-bearer” at the Patriarchal Residence. An icon of Romanian dignity and spirituality His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel highlighted that Saint…

Aug 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian bishop joins pilgrims on 20-km walk to Nicula Monastery for Dormition

His Grace Bishop Benedict of Sălaj on Tuesday joined a group of Orthodox faithful on a 20-km pilgrimage on foot from Valcău de Jos, Sălaj County, to Nicula Monastery, Cluj County, where they will take part in celebrations for the Dormition of the Mother of God. Before their departure, the bishop highlighted the spiritual meaning…

Aug 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Christians following unrevised Julian calendar begin Dormition Fast

Orthodox Christians who follow the unrevised calendar begin the Dormition Fast on Friday, 14 August, a two-week period that ends in late August. It is one of the year’s strictest fasting periods, comparable to the Great Lent before Easter. During this period, meat, eggs and dairy products are not consumed, while fish is permitted only…

Aug 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabian deportees carried their faith into Soviet exile, Romanian priest says

Fr Viorel Cojocaru, cultural adviser to the Archdiocese of Chișinău, explained in an interview with Doxa how Bessarabians deported from the province during the Soviet period preserved their faith and hope in God amid suffering. The priest said that although they were forced to abandon their homes and possessions, many of those deported “travelled with…

Aug 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Jordan signs deals to develop Jesus’ baptism site ahead of 2,000th anniversary

The Jordanian government has signed four agreements to develop the area where Jesus Christ was baptised as part of preparations to mark the 2,000th anniversary of the Baptism of the Lord in 2030. The agreements were signed on Wednesday at the Jordanian government headquarters in Amman following the first meeting of the National Committee for…

Aug 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Nicolae: Dormition of the Mother of God is ‘the feast of our hope’

“The Dormition of the Mother of God is also the feast of our hope,” Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas said on Thursday in a pastoral message for the feast. His Eminence explained that the Church does not regard this moment as one of despair, but as a testimony to the victory of life: “The Mother of…

Aug 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

From Eastern philosophy to Orthodoxy: 92 years since Fr Seraphim Rose’s birth

Thursday marks 92 years since the birth of Fr Seraphim Rose, one of the best-known American witnesses and apologists of Orthodoxy. His journey took him from the study of Eastern thought to his conversion at the age of 28, when he was received into the Orthodox Church through Baptism. Eugene Dennis Rose was born on…

Aug 13, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Jerusalem Patriarch honours Romanian Saint John Jacob at Choziba Monastery

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem officiated a vigil service on Monday in honour of St John Jacob of Neamț at Choziba Monastery in Palestine. His Beatitude described the saint as “an offspring of Romania”. The service was celebrated by Patriarch Theophilos III together with His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Secretary-General of the…

Aug 13, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu