Aurelian Iftimiu

Theology Professor Paul Gavrilyuk explaines meaning of IOTA acronym

The internationally respected historian of early Christianity and Orthodox theologian Dr. Paul L. Gavrilyuk explained the IOTA acronym chosen for the International Orthodox Theological Association at the inaugural conference held in Iasi. In his presidential address delivered at the opening ceremony on Wednesday, January 9, the Association’s President and Founder Paul Gavrilyuk noted that IOTA…

Jan 11, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel attends opening ceremony of Romanian EU Council Presidency (VIDEO)

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, the Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church, joined EU and Romanian leaders at the official launch of Romania’s first presidency of the bloc, which took place at the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest on Thursday, January 10, 2019. Delivering speeches at the opening ceremony on behalf of Romania were the President of…

Jan 11, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Baptism is an immersion in the grace and love of the Holy Trinity, Patriarch Daniel says

Offering his reflections on the Theophany of the Lord, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel noted that through the words, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’, the Heavenly Father also referred to the entire humankind which through Baptism was immersed in the grace and love of the Holy Trinity. Therefore, the patriarch…

Jan 10, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Monks celebrate Christmas on snow-covered Mount Athos : Photo & Video

A few days before the feast of the Nativity of Christ, which Mount Athos celebrates according to the Old Calendar, namely on January 7, significant snowfall occurred. Karyes, the Athonite capital at an altitude of 1,150 feet, received over 2 feet of snow, while higher areas received over 3 feet. Two days before Christmas, the…

Jan 10, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Funeral service to farewell Romanian engineer who saved churches during communist regime

Engineer Eugeniu Iordachescu, who devised an ingenious method to save Romanian churches threatened with destruction during the communist era, was farewelled on Sunday, January 6, 2019. Engineer Eugeniu Iordăchescu, whose building relocation method rescued 12 churches that would have been otherwise slated for demolition by order of Nicolae Ceauşescu in the 80s, died on January…

Jan 9, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Banat Metropolitan celebrates his name day with homeless people

His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat honoured his spiritual protector, Saint John the Forerunner, by joining several homeless people at one of Timișoara’s housing charity shelter on Monday. ‘There is nothing exceptional. This is normality for me and we should do such actions as often as possible, because, you see, these people are abandoned, they…

Jan 8, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Bucharest Russian Orthodox Community celebrates feast of St Seraphim of Sarov

St Nicholas – Tabacu Church in Bucharest celebrated the feast of Saint Seraphim of Sarov on January 2, being the only church in the capital city of Romania where the Saint’s holy relics can be venerated. Many Romanian and Russian Orthodox believers on Wednesday attended the Divine Liturgy celebrated in honour of St Seraphim, one…

Jan 5, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Prayers offered as Romania takes over EU presidency

The members of the Permanent Office of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the European Institution offer prayers for all those in service to the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council. ‘Grant them wisdom and peace! Speak good things into their hearts so that through the faithful conduct of their duties we may live peaceful and…

Jan 5, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

New Icon of Panagia the Protectress of Romanian Village blessed at Baia Mare

A new icon of the Mother of God the Protectress of the Romanian Village was blessed at Baia Mare marking the beginning of 2019, declared a Solemn Year of the Romanian Village by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The icon was blessed by His Grace Bishop Justin of Maramureş and Sătmar on…

Jan 5, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Engineer whose building rail-rolling system saved 12 churches from Ceausescu’s demolition spree dies aged 89

Engineer Eugeniu Iordăchescu, whose building relocation method rescued 12 churches that would have been otherwise slated for demolition by order of Nicolae Ceauşescu in the 80s, died on January 4 at the age of 89. Eugeniu Iordachescu rescued the Nuns Hermitage (‘Schitul Maicilor’), the Olari Church, St. Elijah’s Church, ‘Mihai Voda’ Church and its bell…

Jan 5, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch Daniel celebrates Divine Liturgy on New Year’s Day

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania presided over the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great on New Year’s Day at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest. Concelebrants for the Divine Liturgy included the Patriarch’s auxiliary bishop and secretary of the Holy Synod Varlaam of Ploiesti, and the Assistant Bishop to the Bucharest Archdiocese, Timotei of…

Jan 4, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu