Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian women in history: Presbytera Elena Alistar, physician, educator and champion of Bessarabia’s Union with Romania

Elena Alistar, the first of seven children born to Fr Vasile Balan and Presbytera Elizaveta Balan in the village of Vaisal, Ismail County, was born on 1 June 1873. She married Fr Dimitrie Alistar, who served in Răzeni, Chișinău County. During that period, she worked as a teacher for children in several villages. Sadly, her…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Teofan, Estonian bishop highlight Holy Spirit’s work at Pentecost liturgy

On the Feast of Pentecost, His Eminence Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iași together with Bishop Damaskinos Olkinuora of Haapsalu from the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church. Metropolitan Teofan highlighted the importance of the Holy Spirit’s work in the lives of the faithful. “The overshadowing of…

Jun 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Hon Metropolitan Nifon on Children’s Day: Children reflect God’s blessing upon the world

“Children are a testimony to the blessing poured out by God upon the world, renewing in our hearts an awareness of the greatness of the gift of life,” said His Eminence Hon Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Târgoviște and Patriarchal Exarch, on Monday, on the occasion of International Children’s Day. His Eminence highlighted the value of…

Jun 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam: All the Church’s work is accomplished through the grace of the Holy Spirit

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Monday at the Patriarchal Cathedral, where he underlined that all the works of the Church are accomplished through the grace of the Holy Spirit in the name of the Holy Trinity. The hierarch emphasised the cooperation of the Persons of the Holy Trinity, noting…

Jun 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Basilica Media Centre a gift from God to Church and Romanian people

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, on Monday of the Holy Spirit, marked the patronal feast of the Basilica Media Centre by praising its role in communicating the life of the Church and promoting Orthodox values in contemporary society. In a message addressed to the staff of the Romanian Patriarchate’s media institutions, the Patriarch described the Basilica…

Jun 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate’s Basilica Media Centre marks Holy Trinity feast by reaffirming Church mission

On the Feast of the Holy Trinity (Monday of the Holy Spirit), the Basilica Media Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate reaffirmed its mission to communicate the life of the Church and promote the values of the Christian faith in the public sphere. All components of the Basilica Media Centre are under the protection of the…

Jun 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Holy Spirit unites tears of repentance with the joy of renewed life

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said on Sunday at the historic St George Chapel of the Patriarchal Residence that “the Holy Spirit unites the tears of repentance with the joy of renewed life.” The Patriarch explained that the Feast of Pentecost marks the visible establishment of Christ’s Church in history. “Pentecost is also the Feast of…

Jun 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru seeks retirement; Metropolitan Teofan named interim head of Bessarabia

Regarding the situation in the Metropolis of Bessarabia, we wish to clarify that on 27 May 2026, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru, Archbishop of Chișinău and Metropolitan of Bessarabia, submitted his request to retire from the ministry of Archbishop and Metropolitan due to age, health considerations, and for the good of the Church. The request will…

Jun 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Damaschin of Dorna: Church music finds its true purpose in worship

Assistant Bishop Damaschin of Dorna officiated Vespers on Monday at the Church of the Presentation of the Lord (“Vovidenia”) in Botoșani, where he reflected on the role of church music. The liturgical service formed part of the programme of the Iași International Byzantine Music Festival. The bishop highlighted the authentic meaning of church music and…

May 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Greek delegation visits Romanian Patriarchate to strengthen bilateral ties

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești received an official delegation from Greece on Tuesday at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest during a meeting focused on dialogue and strengthening relations between the two countries. The delegation was led by Deputy Minister of the Interior Konstantinos Gioulekas and included representatives of academia, local administration, professional associations and…

May 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s message to students: Unite study with prayer during exam season

Patriarch Daniel has issued a message of encouragement to Romanian pupils and students preparing for examinations, urging them to combine diligent study with prayer, perseverance and trust in the gifts received from God. In a message addressed to young people across Romania as the examination season begins, the Patriarch stresses that academic success is important…

May 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu