Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania welcomes new Cypriot Ambassador on presentation visit

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church welcomed His Excellency Marios Kountourides, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Romania, on a presentation visit at the patriarchal residence on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. His Excellency thanked His Beatitude for the warm welcome and conveyed a message of friendship and appreciation from the people…

Mar 15, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Berlin officially recognises Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Germany as corporation under public law

The Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Germany, Central and Northern Europe has been officially granted recognition as a corporation under public law in the Land of Berlin. Religious communities in Germany may be recognised as corporations under public law (Körperschaften des öffentlichen Rechts).  This provision dates back to when the Church and State were not yet separated. Originally…

Mar 15, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Elder Iulian of Prodromos Skete laid to rest

On Saturday, the Romanian Prodromos Skete on Mt. Athos said farewell to one of its most beloved monks, Hieromonk Iulian (Lazăr). Fr. Iulian, who hailed from Botoșani in northeastern Romania and spent 46 years on the Holy Mountain, reposed in the Lord at the age of 97 on Friday, March 10. The separation from their…

Mar 15, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury visits the Romanian Patriarchate

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed His Grace Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of the Anglican Communion, at the patriarchal residence in Bucharest for a private visit on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. At the beginning of the meeting, the Patriarch of Romania expressed his joy at having the Archbishop of the Church of England…

Mar 14, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

6.75% of Albania’s population is still Orthodox: An analysis of demographic decline

The American online publishing platform Medium analysed the demographic decline in Albania’s Orthodox community. Albania is renowned for its religious variety, which includes a sizeable community of Orthodox Christians. By the beginning of the 20th century, 70% of Albanians were Muslim, 20% Orthodox, and 10% Catholic. Yet, the 2011 census found that Albania’s Orthodox population…

Mar 14, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Cluj Metropolis to host National Olympiad of Romani Language and Literature

The National Olympiad of Romani Language and Literature will be held in one of Cluj-Napoca’s Orthodox theological educational institutions’ contemporary, spacious facilities. The organisers and the Orthodox Metropolitan of Cluj confirmed the arrangements. Crăciun Ioan Lăcătuș, president of the Social-Missionary-Cultural Orthodox Association for Roma “St. Moses the Black,” Liliana Chiriac, Roma school inspector for the…

Mar 14, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Iași: Priests promote selective waste collection among parishioners

During their monthly administrative meetings, the priests in the Archdiocese of Iași attend training sessions on waste management and selective waste collection. After completing their formation, the priests will instruct their parishioners on properly managing waste. The sessions follow a protocol concluded at the beginning of the year between the Archdiocese of Iași and the…

Mar 14, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Photo exhibition inspired by Serbian Orthodox sacred sites opens in Timișoara

The Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Timișoara hosted the “Sacred sites of Serbian Orthodoxy in Pilgrimage” exhibition at the diocese headquarters in the city on Sunday, March 5. The event was attended by Serbian Orthodox Bishop Lukijan of Budapest, the administrator of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Timisoara, Assistant Bishop Paisie of Lugoj, representing the Romanian…

Mar 10, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts published in Ukrainian

At the beginning of Lent, the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in Romania announced the publication of the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in the Ukrainian language. The text comes to the aid of Ukrainian Orthodox clergy and believers in Romania. With its publishing, all worship sites of the Vicariate will be able to serve according…

Mar 10, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Eulogy of sacrifice at St Anthimos Monastery: Martyrs of Burning Bush movement commemorated on the feast of Holy 40 Martyrs

Two holidays sharing the eulogy of self-sacrifice were marked on Thursday at St Anthimos Monastery in Bucharest: the feast of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste and the Anti-communist Political Prisoners’ Day. “How agreeable it was decided that this day, March 9, should be dedicated in our country to the memory of anti-communist political fighters…

Mar 10, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Chess to be taught in Romanian schools as optional subject

Starting next academic year, chess will be taught in Romania as an optional subject. Over 50,000 primary school students will participate in the initial phase of the pilot project. By September, professional coaches will train over 3,000 teachers to prepare the children who opt for the course. Already, coaches at a chess academy in Bucharest…

Mar 10, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu