Aurelian Iftimiu

Târgoviște: Churches illuminated in red to raise awareness for persecuted Christians

Several churches whose history is linked to Wallachia’s holy prince Constantine Brâncoveanu were illuminated in red on August 16 in Târgoviște, a city situated 80 kilometres north-west of Bucharest, to mark the National Day of Remembrance of the Brâncoveanu Martyrs and of Awareness of Violence against Christians. In addition to lighting their churches in red, the…

Aug 21, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Brought by Virgin Mary to the Romanian Settlement in Jericho: “My home is here,” Sister Elena says

The national news agency AGERPRES published an article about Romanian women living in the Holy Land. Along with those who got there after marriage, the journalists also included Sister Elena, a former educator who aspires to become a nun. She said that the love of the Mother of God called her to the Romanian Settlement…

Aug 21, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

I was born under the curse of survival, and Jesus freed me from it, Chinese convert Kenan Dionisie Wang confesses

Journalist Cristian Curte published in the weekly Formula As an interview with Kenan Dionisie Wang, a PhD student in History at the University of Bucharest and a first-year student in Orthodox Theology. Kenan was born in China and converted to Orthodoxy in Romania. He dreams of becoming an Orthodox priest. “Priesthood is the lifestyle of…

Aug 17, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Exterior lighting of Romanian Church in Olbia fascinates Sardinia press: “a true fairytale marvel”

Last week, the local press wrote about the charming appearance of the new Romanian Orthodox Church in Olbia, a town on the Italian island of Sardinia. The newly installed exterior lighting highlights the holy place. “The original church in the San Nicola neighbourhood, already beautiful during the day, illuminated like this gives the whole neighbourhood…

Aug 17, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Diocese takes steps to set up Orthodox Vicariate in Portugal

Setting up a new Orthodox Vicariate in Portugal was the main topic on the agenda of the administrative gathering of priests in the Romanian Orthodox Deanery of Portugal, which took place at the Dormition of the Theotokos Monastery in Aldeia de Santa Margarida on Monday, August 14. The meeting was chaired by His Grace Bishop…

Aug 17, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel meets with Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium at the patriarchal residence in Bucharest on Saturday, August 12, 2023. The Metropolitan was accompanied by his brother, Protopresbyter Bernard Peckstadt, and Father Sorin Șelaru, the director of the Representation of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the European Institutions in Brussels. His Beatitude Patriarch…

Aug 17, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel urges Romanians abroad to take care of the elderly

In a message for the Sunday of Romanian Migrants observed by the Romanian Patriarchate on the first Sunday after the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel stressed that the Church is called “to intensify its pastoral program for elderly people, to think of new forms and modern pastoral methods, getting…

Aug 16, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Celebrating the Holy Brâncoveanu Martyrs, Romania raises awareness of Christian persecution

On August 16, Romania marks the National Day of Remembrance of the Brâncoveanu Martyrs and of Awareness of Violence against Christians. The President of Romania ratified the law declaring August 16 as “National Day of Remembrance of the Brâncoveanu Martyrs and of Awareness of Violence against Christians” on July 16, 2020. The 16th of August was…

Aug 16, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Timișoara: 500 volunteers make final preparations for the 7th International Meeting of Orthodox Youth

Approximately 500 volunteers are making the final preparations in Timișoara ahead of the 7th edition of the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth ITO 2023. At the beginning of August, the volunteers met with Metropolitan Ioan of Banat at a youth centre to discuss their duties for the upcoming International Meeting of Orthodox Youth. “All the volunteers…

Aug 14, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

4,000 young people march through streets of Târgoviște to open celebrations dedicated to St Niphon

Approximately 4,000 young people from Târgoviște took part last Thursday in the opening ceremony of the celebrations of St. Niphon, Patriarch of Constantinople and Metropolitan of Wallachia.  Thursday evening began with the Vespers service and continued with an award ceremony for the 19 students who obtained first place at the county stage of the National…

Aug 14, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Simonopetra Monastery Abbot thinks Romanian Prince Michael the Brave is a Saint

The abbot of the Athonite Monastery of Simonopetra, Archimandrite Elisaios Raptis, said that his monastic community reveres Prince Michael the Brave as a saint. Michael the Brave was Prince of Wallachia (1593-1601), Prince of Moldova (1600) and de facto ruler of Transylvania (1599-1600). He is considered one of Romania’s most significant national heroes and the…

Aug 14, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu