Aurelian Iftimiu

The relics of Saint Demetrius the New have been protecting Bucharest for 247 years

July 13, 2021, marks 247 years since the holy relics of St. Demetrius the New, the most valuable treasure of the Patriarchal Cathedral, were brought to Bucharest. How did the relics of St. Demetrius arrive in Bucharest? The historical context in which the honourable relics arrived in the Romanian Capital was the Russo-Turkish War of…

Jul 13, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

6 interesting little-known things about the Romanian Saints

The Romanian Orthodox Church, by the decision of the Holy Synod in 1992, set aside the second Sunday after Pentecost as a special day for the commemoration of all Romanian Saints. “The known and the unknown, those who have been canonized and included in the church calendar and those who are not listed and who…

Jul 8, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Take a 360° virtual tour of Warsaw’s Orthodox Cathedral

Thanks to a new presentation on the official site of the Polish Orthodox Church, Orthodox faithful from around the world can easily tour the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene in Warsaw. The 360° virtual tour provides a complete look at both the upper church and the lower chapel of the Passion of…

Jul 8, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Beautiful Wooden Romanian Church under construction outside New York (Video)

“In only a short scenic drive from the New York Metropolitan area, the heart and soul of Romania waits.” In Long Valley, New Jersey, in a field next to the existing Life-Giving Fountain Romanian Orthodox Church, a beautiful wooden Romanian church is under construction. The project is dedicated to the centenary of Romania’s union into…

Jul 8, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

The Romanian Orthodox Church has glorified 152 saints so far. Patriarch Daniel explains the canonization process

One hundred and fifty-two Romanian saints are interceding for us in heaven, before God. The Romanian Orthodox Church has canonized these Saints during a period of seventy years. On the second Sunday after Pentecost (Synaxis of All Romanian Saints), His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel explained what the canonization process entails. “Most of the saints we know…

Jul 6, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Bishops in Germany stress importance of Eucharist during Covid-19 crisis

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of Germany (OBKD) at its 22nd meeting stressed the importance of the Holy Eucharist during the Covid-19 crisis. The meeting took place on June 23, 2021, in Cologne, at the headquarters of the Orthodox Antiochian Metropolis of Germany and Central Europe, with the participation of representatives of the Greek,…

Jul 5, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

President of Malta welcomes Romanian Bishop at San Anton Palace

His Excellency George Vella, President of Malta, welcomed His Grace Atanasie of Bogdania, Assistant Bishop to the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, at San Anton Palace on Monday, June 28. The meeting was attended by: H.E. Lino Bianco, Malta’s Ambassador to Romania, Fr. George Alexandru Popescu, parish priest of the Romanian community in Malta, and…

Jul 2, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Cluj Metropolitan meets Romania’s next ambassador to the United States of America

Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj met with the next Romanian Ambassador to the United States of America, Andrei Muraru, at the metropolitan residence in Cluj-Napoca, on June 25, 2021. The Metropolitan congratulated Andrei Muraru and wished him success in the new diplomatic mission. The two spoke about the support and mission of the Romanian Orthodox Church…

Jul 2, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Elder Joseph of Vatopedi’s 100th birth anniversary, 12 years since his “smile from eternity”

A century has passed since the birth of Elder Joseph of Vatopedi and 12 years since his blessed repose in the Lord. One of the most beloved elders of the Holy Mountain, Father Joseph fell asleep in the Lord, on his birthday, on July 1, 2009. A miracle happened immediately after his passing into eternity:…

Jul 1, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

How to react when people call us “relic-kissers”: Make them draw closer, that they may see our lifestyle and discover God

“Even if some slander us, gossip about us and make fun of us about our faith, calling us retrogrades, with a medieval mentality, relic-kissers, ignorant, we have a duty to make them draw closer, that they may see our lifestyle, to have the impetus to discover God,” Bishop Ignatie said during the Vespers service for…

Jun 30, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Lower Danube Archbishop on Danube Day: It is Romania’s baptismal font

On Tuesday, His Eminence Archbishop Casian sent a message to mark International Danube Day, calling the Danube River “Romania’s baptismal font.” “The day of June 29 increases its significance because the Orthodox calendar and that of Western Christians show us two great helmsmen, from water to land, Saints Peter and Paul,” the Archbishop of Lower…

Jun 30, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu