Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate voices concern over Samson family case in Sweden, backs repatriation of children

The Romanian Patriarchate is concerned about the very difficult situation facing the Romanian Samson family in Sweden, following the separation of their two daughters, Sara and Tiana, from their parents, as a result of a decision by the Swedish local authorities on 2 December 2022. The Church has always taught that the primary responsibility for…

Jun 23, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox priests’ wives from 12 European countries gather in Dublin for St. Nona Meeting

“Within a priest’s family there should be no competition, but rather a shared ministry to Christ, never forgetting that both of you are one in Christ and that you must have the mind of Christ,” Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland urged priests’ wives during the fifth International Gathering of the Saint Nona Group. The…

Jun 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Church leaders, EU officials discuss Artificial Intelligence’s impact on human dignity at Brussels seminars

Two seminars held in Brussels on June 8-9 brought together representatives of Churches, European institutions and academia to examine the impact of artificial intelligence on humanity. The first seminar, hosted by the European Commission, focused on the theme “The Ethical and Social Impact of Artificial Intelligence.” Participants analysed the opportunities and risks associated with AI-based…

Jun 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s acting Prime Minister visits Heroes’ Monastery at Țiganca in Republic of Moldova

Romania’s Acting Prime Minister, Ilie Bolojan, visited the Heroes’ Monastery of the Ascension in the village of Stoianovca, Republic of Moldova, over the weekend. The Romanian official was welcomed Saturday by Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia and the monastic community of the monastery, which was built near the Romanian Military Cemetery of Honour at Țiganca,…

Jun 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s first National Day in memory of victims of 1990 Mineriad prayerfully marked in Bucharest

Romania’s National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the June 13–15, 1990 Mineriad was marked on Monday with a memorial service in Bucharest, at the initiative of the Association of the Victims of the 1990–1991 Mineriads. Led by Fr. Florin Ionică, counsellor at the Cemeteries, Monuments and Funeral Services Department of the Archdiocese of…

Jun 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s Senate marks 162 years since establishment; Orthodox Metropolitan was first president

Romania’s Senate marks 162 years since its establishment on Tuesday, June 17. The institution’s first president was Metropolitan Nifon Rusailă of Hungro-Wallachia, who later became Romania’s first Primate Metropolitan. The upper chamber of Parliament was created in 1864 at the initiative of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza through the “Developing Statute of the Paris Convention,” according…

Jun 17, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Diaconia reached 70 communities and mobilised 1,200 volunteers in Republic of Moldova last year

The Social Mission Diaconia expanded its activities across the Republic of Moldova throughout 2025, reaching 70 communities and mobilising more than 1,200 volunteers. The social service arm of the Metropolis of Bessarabia supported 26,564 beneficiaries last year through 18 projects. According to the annual report, Diaconia volunteers responded to local community needs, while community centres…

Jun 17, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Personal prayer and Divine Liturgy sustained victims of communist deportations

As Romania marked the 75th anniversary of the Bărăgan deportations, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel has highlighted the role of personal prayer and participation in the Divine Liturgy in sustaining thousands of victims during one of the communist regime’s most severe campaigns of internal displacement. In a message delivered on the occasion of a commemorative event…

Jun 17, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Christ’s call of the Apostles prepared the foundation of the Church

“By calling His disciples to the apostolate, the Lord Jesus Christ prepared the mystery of establishing His Church as the gathering of peoples in the love of the Holy Trinity,” Patriarch Daniel said on Sunday at the historic chapel of Saint George the Great Martyr in Bucharest. His Beatitude noted that twelve men were called…

Jun 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Basilica News Agency marks 18 years since publishing its first news report

Basilica.ro, the official news agency of the Romanian Patriarchate, marks its 18th anniversary on Tuesday since publishing its first news report online, an event that marked the beginning of its editorial activity. The Basilica News Agency is part of the Basilica Media Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate, established on October 27, 2007, at the initiative…

Jun 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Churches mark 10th anniversary of historic Holy and Great Council of Crete

Tuesday, June 16, marks the tenth anniversary of the Holy and Great Council of Crete, the only gathering of its kind held by the Orthodox Church in the 21st century. The Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church brought together hierarchs from ten of the fourteen autocephalous Orthodox Churches on the island of Crete.…

Jun 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu