Aurelian Iftimiu

Adult catechumen received into Romanian Orthodox Church through baptism

An adult catechumen was received into the Romanian Orthodox Church through the Mystery of Holy Baptism last Saturday at the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen in Comănești, Bacău County. “Such an occasion reminds us that every baptism is first and foremost the victory of God’s love over human estrangement and the beginning of a…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Newly ordained Assistant Bishop Iachint: The Divine Liturgy is the beginning of every ministry

His Grace Assistant Bishop Iachint of the Pacific of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand celebrated his first Divine Liturgy following his episcopal ordination on Sunday, saying there could be no more fitting beginning to his ministry than the Eucharistic celebration. He concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with His Grace Assistant Bishop Timotei…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Damaschin: Only God can free us from sin, passions and spiritual weakness

His Grace Assistant Bishop Damaschin of Dorna from the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at St Demetrius the Myrrh-gusherParish in Trei Movile, Suceava County, where he stressed that only God can deliver people from sin and spiritual weakness. The bishop visited the parish to bless the recently completed restoration…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania launches ARC camps to reconnect 9,000 diaspora youth with their heritage

The 2026 edition of the ARC Camps programme officially opened in Bucharest on Monday, with around 9,000 Romanian children and young people from the diaspora and historic Romanian communities expected to take part in activities throughout the summer aimed at strengthening their connection to Romania’s language, culture and traditions. According to a press release from…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox parish joins Heidelberg’s new interfaith dialogue forum

The Romanian Orthodox ‘Holy Trinity’ Parish in Heidelberg, Germany, has been invited to join the Heidelberger Dialog der Religionen (“Heidelberg Dialogue of Religions”), a forum established by the city’s administration to bring together representatives of the city’s major religious communities. According to the City of Heidelberg, the initiative aims to bring together representatives of the…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox clergy commemorate victims of 1949 Soviet deportations in Republic of Moldova

Victims of the 1949 Soviet deportations were commemorated on Monday across the Republic of Moldova, marking 77 years since one of the largest waves of Stalinist repression in the region. Memorial services were organised in numerous parishes of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, where clergy, public officials and faithful honoured those who suffered under the communist…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church adds ‘Burning Bush’ Mother of God icon to liturgical calendar

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has added the Icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush” to the Church’s liturgical calendar, establishing 4 September as its annual feast day. The decision was adopted during the Synod’s meeting on 2 July. The feast was set for 4 September because the Church also…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian children visit Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during Istanbul camp

A group of children from Romania attending the Patriarchal Children’s Camp on Prinkipo (Büyükada) Island visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Tuesday, where they were received by His All-Holiness Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch, according to the Orthodoxia News Agency. During an excursion organised along the Bosphorus, the children visited several of Constantinople’s historic and religious landmarks.…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian, European prison chaplains meet to share pastoral best practices

Prison chaplains from Romania and several European countries gathered for the International Conference “Best Practices in Conducting Moral and Religious Activities in Prisons in Romania and Europe,” held last week in Timișoara, Arad and Deva. The conference opened on 30 June at Timișoara Prison with a Te Deum service officiated by Orthodox prison chaplains, led…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Nicolae marks US 250th anniversary, praises religious freedom and liberty

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas issued a message marking the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, describing the nation’s history as “one of the most remarkable testimonies to the power of freedom to create opportunities.” His Eminence highlighted the enduring influence of the principles set…

Jul 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ioan Casian: Diocese of Canada Congress seeks God’s will for Church and communities

“This is not merely an administrative meeting or an occasion to present activity reports, but a moment of ecclesial responsibility, in which we seek together to discern God’s will for the life of the Church and for the communities we serve,” said Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada at the Congress of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese…

Jul 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu