Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Antonie reflects on Soviet-era ‘deportation’ of Romanian Orthodox Church from Bessarabia

“Those of us who belong to the Metropolis of Bessarabia know the injustice that was done to our institution. It was deported just as so many of our fellow countrymen were deported,” Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia said in an interview with TVR Moldova. Against this historical background, the official recognition of the re-established Metropolis of…

Jul 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Food Bank Moldova donates 3.5 tonnes of cherries to southern Bessarabia parishes

Food Bank Moldova has recently donated 3.5 tonnes of fresh cherries to communities within the Diocese of Southern Bessarabia. The fruit was delivered to 13 parishes in the Cahul, Cantemir and Leova districts of the Republic of Moldova. Parish priests distributed the cherries to families and elderly people in the communities they serve, bringing joy…

Jul 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Basilica’s ‘Week in Pictures’ marks 400th edition, eight years online

The Basilica News Agency’s Week in Pictures project has marked two milestones this week: eight years since its launch and the publication of its 400th edition. Since its launch in July 2018, the project showcases each Monday a curated selection of the most representative photographs capturing the life of the Orthodox Church both in Romania…

Jul 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Dormition Fast begins with prayer, fasting and spiritual renewal

The Dormition Fast begins on Friday for Orthodox Christians observing the revised calendar and concludes on 14 August, the eve of the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God. During these two weeks, the faithful are called to fasting, prayer and spiritual purification. Typically, the fasting period starts on 1 August. However, according…

Jul 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop, Albanian ambassador discuss closer cooperation

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești met on Tuesday with Albania’s Ambassador to Romania, Enkeleda Mërkuri, at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest. During the meeting, the two sides discussed opportunities for academic and spiritual cooperation between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Albanian Orthodox Church. The Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop recalled Romania’s significant contribution to the…

Jul 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

A Romanian monastery in Canada: “Monastic life is not an escape from the world, but a journey towards God”

“Monastic life is not an escape from the world, but a journey towards God. A monk does not withdraw from people; rather, he seeks to carry everyone in his prayers. This calling is both a gift and a great responsibility,” says Hieromonk Policarp Athenagoras, abbot of the only Romanian Orthodox monastery in Canada. The Romanian…

Jul 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Iachint: Christ continues to nourish us today through the Holy Eucharist

“Christ continues to nourish us today through the Holy Eucharist,” said Sunday Bishop Iachint of the Pacific, Assistant Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, at Radu Vodă Monastery in Bucharest. “Christ nourishes us with the Holy and Divine Eucharist, with His Body and Blood,” the assistant bishop said, noting that,…

Jul 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch marks Romanian parish feast in Constantinople, honours modern-day martyrs

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I presided over the Divine Liturgy on Sunday for the patronal feast of the Romanian Church of the Holy Virgin-Martyr Paraskevi in Constantinople. “With the certainty of this life and of the universal resurrection, we honour the memory of St Paraskevi, who suffered martyrdom for her faith in the risen Christ,” His…

Jul 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

First Youth ROARCH camp brings together Romanian Orthodox youth from across Britain

The inaugural edition of Youth ROARCH Camp took place from 21 to 23 July near London, bringing together 35 Romanian children and teenagers from several parishes of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Participants spent three days in the countryside, camped in tents, took part in sports activities, and attended workshops…

Jul 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Basarabia’s Metropolitan Antonie pledges partnership with Republic of Moldova’s new government

The inauguration of the Republic of Moldova’s new government signifies a new beginning that coincides, providentially, with a new phase in the life of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, following the election of its new Primate, as stated by Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Vasile Tofan. “We regard this convergence as an opportunity…

Jul 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Canada’s oldest Romanian Orthodox parish announces consecration of rebuilt church

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada and Dormition of the Mother of God Parish have announced the date and programme for the consecration of the new church of Boian Parish in Alberta—the oldest Romanian Orthodox community on Canadian soil. Founded 128 years ago by Romanian immigrants from the northern Bukovinian village of the same name,…

Jul 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu