Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: St John the Baptist is a protector of families and childless couples

“St John the Baptist is a guardian and protector of families, and a helper of those who have no children,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said on Wednesday, on the feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Forerunner. His Beatitude recalled that the birth of St John was the fruit of the persevering prayers of…

Jun 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

University of Birmingham wins €2.5 million grant to study patristic manuscripts for New Testament research

The University of Birmingham has secured €2.5 million in European funding for a research project that will examine manuscripts of the Holy Fathers and other ecclesiastical writers in search of previously unrecognised witnesses to the New Testament text. According to a university press release, the project will be led by Professor Hugh Houghton, a specialist…

Jun 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Two previously unknown sermons by Blessed Augustine identified in medieval manuscript

Two previously unknown sermons by Blessed Augustine have been identified in a twelfth-century Latin manuscript preserved at a monastery in Poland, according to the University of Würzburg in Germany. The discovery was made during research conducted by Professor Christian Tornau of the German university. His study began in 2024 when he was asked to examine…

Jun 25, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox and Catholic bishops in Canada discuss Artificial Intelligence and human dignity

Orthodox and Catholic bishops in Canada discussed the challenges posed by artificial intelligence during the annual meeting of the Orthodox–Catholic Dialogue Commission. The meeting took place on 18–19 June at St Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto. Representing the Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops were His Eminence Metropolitan Ilarion Rudnyk of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada…

Jun 25, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Colloquium in France explores technology, transhumanism and the human person

The Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe organised the colloquium ‘Human Enhancement or Human Deification?’ to examine the challenges posed by new technologies and digitalisation to the spiritual life, according to Orthodoxie.com. The event took place on 20–21 June in Suresnes and Paris. It was organised by the Metropolis’s Department for Theology and…

Jun 25, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Theology students graduate from Bucharest Faculty’s Rome Extension

A new class of Romanian students has completed its theological studies at the Rome extension of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest. The graduation ceremony took place on Wednesday at the Diocesan Centre of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy. The ceremony included the graduates’ oath of fidelity to the Romanian Orthodox Church, marking…

Jun 25, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland: God works when we remain steadfast in faith and hope

“God can accomplish all things when a person does not lose hope and remains steadfast in the faith,” His Grace Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland said Wednesday during the patronal feast of Valea Mare Monastery in Covasna County, dedicated to the Nativity of St John the Baptist. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishops…

Jun 25, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate expresses solidarity with victims of Venezuela earthquakes

As an expression of profound sorrow for those affected by the recent earthquakes that struck Venezuela, causing loss of life, injuries and extensive material damage, the Romanian Patriarchate conveys a message of Christian solidarity to the Venezuelan people as they endure this devastating calamity. At the same time, we express our compassion for the Romanian…

Jun 25, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox parish to establish community centre in Spain’s Catalonia region

A new community and cultural centre will be established for Romanians living in the towns of Tortosa and Gandesa in southern Catalonia, Spain, according to a press release. The project, entitled Light for the Soul – The Orthodox Church, the Home of Romanians in the Diaspora, has been implemented by the Parish of the Nativity…

Jun 25, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Bishops in Canada report growth in converts amid rural parish challenges

His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada took part in the plenary session of the Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops (CCOB) on Wednesday, June 17, in Toronto. The hierarchs noted the continued growth in the number of catechumens and converts while also addressing the challenges facing Orthodox communities, including the demographic decline of rural parishes.…

Jun 25, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Two bishops nominated for election as Metropolitan of Bessarabia

Two candidates for the office of Metropolitan of Bessarabia were nominated on Saturday, following the proceedings of the Metropolitan Synod convened in Chișinău. Following consultations and a secret ballot, the members of the Synod proposed His Grace Bishop Antonie of Bălți and His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia as candidates for the office. After…

Jun 23, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu