Aurelian Iftimiu

Restoration work reveals nine kilometres of tunnels beneath Hagia Sophia

Restoration work at Hagia Sophia in Constantinople has revealed nine kilometres of underground tunnels. Parts of the network could be opened to visitors once restoration is complete, Turkey’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, has announced. “However, there are collapses and areas that prevent passage. We are currently continuing cleaning and restoration work…

Sep 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox theologian Andrew Louth receives Moldavian Cross for contribution to patristic studies

Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina presented an award to Fr Andrew Louth, Professor Emeritus at Durham University in the United Kingdom, in recognition of his contribution to the study and promotion of patristic theology. Last Friday, the Moldavian Cross, the highest distinction awarded by the Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina, was presented during the…

Sep 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian government to provide financial support for pupils, students and teachers in Ukraine

The Romanian Government’s Department for Romanians Abroad has announced that it is preparing to launch the “Support for Romanian-Language Education in Ukraine – 2026” programme, which will provide three forms of financial assistance for pupils, university students and teachers. Each eligible pupil, student, or teacher will receive 2,000 RON in financial support. The grants will be…

Sep 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Christ transforms suffering into hope and weakness into spiritual victory

“It unites us with Christ, who transforms pain into joy, suffering into hope, loneliness into communion and weakness into spiritual victory,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said of the Holy Cross on Sunday at the historic Chapel of the Great Martyr George at the Patriarchal Residence. Reflecting on the Saviour’s call to take up one’s cross,…

Sep 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Church representatives to EU discuss future projects at Brussels meeting

Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the European Union met in Brussels on Thursday to discuss how to organise future projects. The meeting was held at the Ambiorix Orthodox Centre and chaired by Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Fr Sorin Șelaru and Fr George Vâlcu, representatives…

Sep 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian priest-martyr St Hilarion Felea commemorated 65 years after his repose

Friday marks 65 years since the repose of Hieromartyr Hilarion Felea, who confessed the Orthodox faith through his pastoral and teaching ministry as well as during years of imprisonment under Romania’s communist regime. He was born on 21 March 1903 in Valea Bradului, Hunedoara County, Romania, into a priest’s family. After completing his primary and…

Sep 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ioan Casian: The Cross offers a perspective for the Church Year and our entire lives

“It shows us the perspective from which we should view at least the Church Year that is beginning, if not our entire lives,” Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada said in a reflection on the Holy Cross. The bishop celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Monday at the Cathedral of Sts Constantine and Helen and St Paraskeva…

Sep 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel discusses religious freedom, Ukraine and youth challenges with senior US diplomat

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church received Riley Barnes, US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom and Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, at the Patriarchal Residence on Thursday, 17 September 2026. Darryl Nirenberg, United States Ambassador to Romania, also attended, along with representatives of the US Department…

Sep 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Akathist to Saint Sofian the Confessor of St Anthimos Monastery (16 September)

This Akathist honours our Holy and Venerable Father Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery (16 September), a priest, confessor, spiritual father and iconographer formed by the Jesus Prayer. He celebrated the Divine Mysteries reverently, painted holy icons, guided spiritual children and cared for the afflicted. He remained steadfast during persecution and endured imprisonment. The hymn praises…

Sep 17, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Buzău Orthodox Seminary marks 190 years with commitment to form ‘good, responsible and loyal’ people

The Bishop Chesarie Theological Seminary in Buzău marked 190 years since its establishment on Tuesday. “We are committed to continuing to prepare servants of the Church and good, responsible and loyal people,” Fr Cristian Dima, the institution’s director, told the Basilica News Agency. The programme began with a Te Deum service and continued in the…

Sep 17, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Firefighters gather at Partoș Monastery to honour St Joseph the New

Firefighters from Timiș County gathered at Partoș Monastery on Tuesday to honour St Joseph the New of Partoș, Romania’s spiritual protector of firefighters. On the saint’s feast day, Timiș firefighters prayed for protection and help in carrying out their missions, and to be kept safe from danger. “Today, we thank him for his protection and…

Sep 17, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu