Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian consul praises Orthodox parish’s role in preserving identity in Spain on 25th anniversary

Romania’s Consul General in Barcelona, Sandra Gătejeanu Gheorghe, attended on Sunday the 25th anniversary celebration of the “Saints Constantine and Helen” parish in Figueres, Spain. In a message published on social media, the Romanian diplomat highlighted the importance of the Romanian community and parish life within the diaspora. “The event highlighted the important role that…

May 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Relics of Saint Olympias, mother of St Petronius the Prodromite, uncovered in Romania

The relics of Saint Olympias of Fărcașa, mother of Saint Petronius of Prodromos Skete on Mount Athos, were uncovered on Monday in Fărcașa, Neamț County, Romania. The event took place in the presence of His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe, His Grace Assistant Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani from the Archdiocese of Iași, Archimandrite Petroniu…

May 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox-themed Minecraft server digitally recreates Mount Athos

Mount Athos has been digitally recreated on the OrthoCraft Minecraft server, a project dedicated to Orthodoxy that features reconstructions inspired by the architecture and spirituality of the Orthodox world. The creator of the OrthoCraft server told Basilica.ro that the project’s latest achievement is “a detailed reconstruction of Mount Athos, including several monastic buildings recognised from…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church locally proclaims canonisation of Saint Blandina of Iași

The local proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Blandina the Confessor took place on Sunday at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iași. The solemn event was held at the end of the Divine Liturgy celebrated by an assembly of seven hierarchs led by Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina. The Synodal Tomos proclaiming the canonisation was…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch says Christ grants both physical and spiritual sight

“Through this holy work of Jesus upon the blind man, he received physical sight, but also spiritual sight, namely faith,” Patriarch Daniel of Romania underlined on Sunday at the historic “St George” Chapel of the Patriarchal Residence. His Beatitude emphasised that through faith, man perceives the presence and work of God in creation and in…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarchal auxiliary bishop meets Orthodox scouts group, highlights youth engagement

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, the Holy Synod’s general secretary, met on Thursday, May 14, at the Patriarchal Palace with representatives of the International Orthodox Christian Scouts Organisation “Desmos”. The bishop highlighted the importance of involving young people in educational and community activities amid the challenges of contemporary society. “It is very important that…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Archaeologists say they may have identified biblical Bethsaida on Sea of Galilee

A possible biblical mystery may have been solved, with archaeologists claiming to have identified the village of Bethsaida in Israel. The locality is mentioned in the New Testament and associated with several miracles performed by Jesus Christ. Researchers began excavations a decade ago at the archaeological site of El-Araj, located on the north-eastern shore of…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian monastic cell dedicated to Saints Athanasius and Cyril under construction on Mount Athos

A Romanian monastic cell dedicated to Saints Athanasius and Cyril is being built on Mount Athos. The monastic settlement is located within the Romanian Lakkoskete, which belongs to Saint Paul Monastery. The new cell is being constructed on land donated by the Lakkoskete, in a deep valley surrounded by chestnut forests, a setting suited for…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Nifon hosts World Council of Churches delegation amid AI ethics talks

His Eminence Hon Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Târgoviște and Patriarchal Exarch, received on Friday at the Patriarchal Palace a delegation of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches (WCC). The visit to the Patriarchal Palace formed part of the delegation’s broader programme, which also included an international symposium held on May…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church highlights support for families on Christian Family Sunday

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church instituted in 2009 a Sunday dedicated to the Christian family. It is observed on the Sunday closest to 15 May, which the United Nations designated as the International Day of Families. This year, Christian Family Sunday fell on 17 May, the feast day of the Holy Apostles…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania marks first National Day of Religious Freedom and contribution of religious denominations

Romania on Saturday marked for the first time the National Day of Religious Freedom and the Contribution of Religious Denominations to Romanian Society. The observance was established in 2025 following a proposal by Romania’s religious denominations during a meeting held on 10 April 2024 with representatives of the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs and other…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu