Aurelian Iftimiu

Over 25,000 foreign tourists visited Bucharest’s Patriarchal Palace in 2022

More than 25 thousand international tourists visited Bucharest’s Patriarchal Palace in 2022. According to the annual report presented by the National Church Council, the Conference Centre of the Patriarchal Palace hosted 147 events organised by the Romanian Orthodox Church or by national or international institutions and commercial companies. Numerous events organised by the Romanian Patriarchate…

Feb 13, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

“Prayer of the elderly is the source of their wisdom”: 10 Patriarch Daniel quotes on the elderly

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church declared 2023 as a Solemn Year of the pastoral care of the elderly. Here are ten quotes by Patriarch Daniel on the elderly: Care for the elderly, children and the poor shows a people’s degree of civilization and the depth of Christian living. The New Testament makes…

Feb 10, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Exemplary aid: Romanian Orthodox Church spends 8,7 mln euro to support Ukrainian refugees in 2022

The annual report summarising the activities of the Romanian Orthodox Church in 2022 presents figures regarding the support offered to Ukrainian refugees: its value is equivalent to 8.7 million euros. “It was an exemplary humanitarian aid,” declared the Patriarch of Romania during the meeting of the National Church Assembly this week. “Of course, it would…

Feb 10, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church’s Holy Synod meets for first time this year: decisions

On Thursday, February 9, 2023, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church met for a working session at “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The Holy Synod elected by secret ballot the Very Reverend Archimandrite Gherontie Ciupe as assistant bishop to the Diocese of…

Feb 10, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod elects new assistant bishop for Deva Diocese

During its working session on Thursday, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church elected a new assistant bishop for the Diocese of Deva and Hunedoara. By secret ballot, the synod elected the Very Rev. Archimandrite Gherontie Ciupe to assist the diocesan bishop of Deva and Hunedoara. The abbot of The Nativity of the Theotokos…

Feb 9, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarchal Palace hosts International Military Conference of NATO, PfP Chief Chaplains

Delegations from 35 countries gathered for the first time in Romania at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest to discuss the role and mission of chaplains in the current geopolitical and religious context. On Monday, NATO and Partnership for Peace chief chaplains met at the church of Michael the Brave 30th Guards Brigade for a thanksgiving…

Feb 9, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Religious leaders call for increased support for refugees and host communities

Religions for Peace and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have assembled their Multi-Religious Council of Leaders for a two-day field mission to Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, calling for people of all faiths, across the globe, to increase their support of Ukrainian refugees and host communities. The event was attended…

Feb 7, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel meets Georgia’s new Ambassador to Romania

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church welcomed Her Excellency Mrs Tamar Beruchashvili, Ambassador of Georgia to Romania, on a presentation visit at the patriarchal residence on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Ambassador Tamar Beruchashvili conveyed to His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel the greetings of His Beatitude Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia and his gratitude…

Feb 7, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate’s 98th establishment anniversary observed

On Saturday, February 4, 2023, the Romanian Orthodox Church marks the 98th anniversary of its elevation to the rank of patriarchate. On February 4, 1925, the Holy Synod gathered in Bucharest and resolved the establishment of the Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate, following Romania’s Great Union achieved in 1918. The first person who advocated for the elevation…

Feb 4, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Târgoviște Archdiocese offers 40 wheelchairs, 20 rollators to social institutions in the region

The Social-Philanthropic and Missionary Sector of the Archdiocese of Târgoviște has offered 40 wheelchairs and 20 rollators walkers with frames to several social institutions in Dâmbovița County that take care of older people with disabilities. According to the Archdiocese’s press office, the institutions include St Helen Elderly Care Home in Târgoviște, Social Assistance Directorate Târgoviște…

Feb 1, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Students preach on the Three Holy Hierarchs’ feast: We are called to be “the soul of the world”

Students at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest are encouraged to preach publicly every year at two important events for the educational institution: the Faculty Chapel’s patronal feast of Saint Catherine and the feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs, the patron saints of theological education. On Monday, Vlad Iancu, who is finishing his Bachelor’s…

Jan 31, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu