Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel meets with new Portuguese Ambassador to Bucharest Paulo Cunha Alves

On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed His Excellency Mr Paulo Cunha Alves, the Ambassador of Portugal to Romania, on a presentation visit at the Patriarchal Residence. The Ambassador thanked the Patriarch of Romania for his hospitality and complimented the excellent historical ties between Romania and Portugal. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel praised…

Apr 6, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Outgoing Swiss Ambassador pays farewell call on Patriarch of Romania

On Thursday, March 30, 2023, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed His Excellency Arthur Mattli, the outgoing Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Romania, on a farewell visit. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel expressed his joy to meet Mr Arthur Mattli again, complimented him on his extensive diplomatic activity in Romania, and thanked him for contributing to…

Apr 4, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel meets with Secretary of State for Romanians abroad

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed the Secretary of State for relations with Romanians abroad, Gheorghe Cârciu, at his patriarchal residence on March 29, 2023. After the meeting, Secretary of State Gheorghe Cârciu highlighted the excellent collaboration between the Church and his department. “Preserving the identity of Romanians outside the borders through educational projects, promoting culture…

Apr 4, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel awards Patriarchal Order of Praying Theotokos to Serbian Bishop of Buda

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed His Grace Bishop Lukijan of Buda, the administrator of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Timisoara, at the patriarchal residence and awarded him the second highest order of the Romanian Patriarchate. During the meeting that took place on March 28, Bishop Lukijan conveyed best regards on behalf of Patriarch Porfirije of…

Apr 4, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Called to become like angels: A dozen monastic tonsures in recent days

A number of men and women have given their lives to Christ in monasticism in the past several days in dioceses of the Romanian Orthodox Church both at home and abroad. Munich In Munich, His Eminence Metropolitan Serafim of Germany and Central and Northern Europe celebrated the first rite of tonsure for the new St.…

Apr 4, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Gov’t strengthens commitment to support three main projects of Metropolis of Bessarabia

After the commemorative ceremony held on March 27 in the city of Ialoveni to mark 105 years after the Union of Bessarabia with Romania, the President of Romania’s Chamber of Deputies visited the headquarters of the Metropolis of Bessarabia together with several Romanian dignitaries. At the meeting, officials of the Romanian government committed to financially…

Apr 3, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Busts of Bessarabia-Romania Union artisans unveiled in Ialoveni

Last week, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru and officials from both sides of the Prut River unveiled the busts of two great artisans of the Union of Bessarabia with Romania, Alexandru Marghiloman and Ion Inculeț. The ceremony on Monday, March 27, 2023, marked the 105th anniversary of the Union of Bessarabia with the Kingdom of Romania.…

Apr 3, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Rohia Monastery is building a cultural centre to honour Fr Nicolae Steinhardt

A new cultural monastic centre is being built at Rohia Monastery to honour the famous Romanian writer and Orthodox monk Nicolae Steinhardt whose main book, The Diary of Happiness, is regarded as a major text of 20th-century Romanian literature and a prime example of Eastern European anti-Communist literature. Last week, Bishop Iustin of Maramures visited…

Mar 29, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s central bank issues coins marking Centennial of Greater Romania Constitution

The National Bank of Romania (BNR) has issued gold and silver coins to mark the Centennial of the Constitution of Greater Romania, which was adopted in 1923 by King Ferdinand I. The obverse of the gold coin features the dome of the palace of the Assembly of Deputies in Bucharest during the interwar period, now…

Mar 28, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Byzantine-era church mosaic floor uncovered again in Israel after 40 years

The Israel Antiquities Authority has announced that a church floor decorated with flower mosaics that is 1,500 years old and located east of Ben-Gurion Airport but has remained undiscovered for the past four decades will soon be open to the public. The fine mosaic is part of the archaeological site of Horvat El-Bira, located in…

Mar 28, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia-Romania Union founders commemorated at Bucharest Patriarchal Cathedral

On Monday, the patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiesti officiated a memorial service at the patriarchal cathedral in Bucharest in honour of the founders of the Union of Bessarabia with the Kingdom of Romania. Bishop Varlaam recalled that “today we mark 105 years since the members of the Country’s Council in Chisinau voted the Union…

Mar 28, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu