Aurelian Iftimiu

Archaeologists reconstruct ancient landscape around Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

A team of archaeologists led by Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, has reconstructed the ancient landscape surrounding the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The present church is built over part of an ancient quarry on Gareb Hill. After stone extraction ceased, some areas were adapted for agricultural use, while others were used for…

Sep 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox bishops in France and Benelux to hold prayer day for care of creation in Paris

Orthodox hierarchs from France and the Benelux countries will organise a day of prayer and reflection on caring for creation in Paris on 12 September, according to Orthodoxie.com. The event will take place at the Holy Archangels Cathedral of the Romanian Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe, beginning at 16:00. The Assembly of Orthodox Bishops…

Sep 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Antonie urges Bessarabian students to know their Romanian language, history and identity

“A dignified future can only be built through knowing and embracing one’s own identity,” Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia told students at the Ion Creangă Pedagogical College in Bălți, Republic of Moldova, on Tuesday. In his message marking the start of the new school and academic year, the Metropolitan of Bessarabia emphasised that education is not…

Sep 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Archimandrite Maxim Drăguț to be ordained Assistant Bishop for Romanians in Italy

Archimandrite Maxim Drăguț, Assistant Bishop-elect of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, will be ordained to the episcopate at the Parish of the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste in Moncalieri, near Turin, Italy. Services will take place on 7–8 September. The programme will begin on the evening of Monday, 7 September, with Great Vespers at…

Sep 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

ITO 2026 speakers highlight family, faith and human connection in confronting addiction

Andreea Ogăraru, a mother of six, and Dr Radu Țincu, a senior physician in Intensive Care and Toxicology at Bucharest’s Floreasca Emergency Clinical Hospital, spoke with participants at the 2026 International Meeting of Orthodox Youth (ITO 2026). The event took place on Tuesday evening at the National Cathedral in Bucharest and was broadcast live by…

Sep 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Atanasie: Mother of God stands at the threshold between the two liturgical years

Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland issued a message at the beginning of the new Church Year, emphasising that “at the threshold between two liturgical years, the Church places before us the same person: the Most Holy Mother of God”. His Eminence noted that we are accustomed to measuring time by what begins…

Sep 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Basilica News Agency launches redesigned website and updated visual identity

The Romanian Patriarchate’s Basilica News Agency is launching a new visual identity and a completely rebuilt Basilica.ro today, 1 September, to coincide with the start of the new Church Year. It is the first major interface overhaul since the website was last redesigned in 2016. The timing anticipates an important milestone: in 2027, both the…

Sep 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian religious affairs official urges Orthodox youth to turn careers into vocations

“The Church and society need you, not for what you will become years from now, but for what you bring today,” State Secretary for Religious Affairs Ciprian Olinici told participants at the opening of the 2026 International Meeting of Orthodox Youth in Bucharest on Tuesday. The Romanian official reflected on the significance of the young…

Sep 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bucharest Mayor urges Orthodox youth to carry forward a ‘free, open and Christian’ Romania

Bucharest Mayor Ciprian Ciucu on Tuesday urged young participants at ITO 2026 to carry forward Romania “as it is today — open, free and Christian”. The Mayor addressed more than 2,400 young people gathered at the National Cathedral for the opening of the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth and said their presence gave the venue…

Sep 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Calinic urges faithful to make liturgical calendar ‘the compass of your life’

“Begin with God, with a prayer offered in faith, with a candle lit in silence, with an act of mercy done from the heart,” Archbishop Calinic of Suceava and Rădăuți said in a message marking the beginning of the new Church Year. His Eminence explained that liturgical time should not be regarded merely as a…

Sep 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

President Nicușor Dan urges Orthodox youth to ‘keep believing in Romania’ at ITO 2026

“I hope you experience this communion, learn from people wiser than yourselves and keep believing in Romania,” President Nicușor Dan told young participants at ITO 2026 on Tuesday. The Romanian president attended the opening of the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth at the National Cathedral, alongside representatives of dioceses, sister Orthodox Churches and central and…

Sep 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu