Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s space pioneer Dumitru Prunariu receives church distinction on 45th anniversary of historic mission

Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu, the first Romanian to fly into space, received on Thursday the Metropolitan Order of “Saint Demetrius the New, Protector of Bucharest” on behalf of Patriarch Daniel. The distinction was presented to the astronaut by Protosyncellus Simeon Cuțui, Cultural Exarch of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, during a festive session of the Romanian Academy marking…

May 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania marks National Peony Day as flower gains status as symbol of Romanian soldiers’ heroism

Romania’s national flower is celebrated annually on 15 May, with the peony recognised as a symbol of Romanian soldiers’ heroism. Efforts to secure official recognition for the peony were supported by the community “Bujorul Românesc – The Romanian Peony”, founded in 2015 by Cristina Turnagiu Dragna and Andreea Tănăsescu, creator of the “La Blouse Roumaine”…

May 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

International Day of Families highlights social inequality and child wellbeing in 2026

The International Day of Families is observed annually on 15 May. The theme for 2026 highlights the impact of social and economic inequalities on family life and child development. The International Day of Families is marked under a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993. The UN warns that many families face…

May 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Local proclamation of Saint Blandina’s canonisation to take place in Iași this Sunday

The local proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Blandina will take place on Sunday at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iași, the Press Office of the Archdiocese of Iași announced. The liturgical programme will begin on the eve of the solemn event, at 4:00 p.m., with the vigil service in honour of the saint. The local…

May 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Cathedral in Madrid to receive Brancovenesque-style façade restoration

The Diocesan Cathedral “Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple” in Madrid will undergo façade finishing and decorative works featuring elements specific to the Brancovenesque architectural style. The project, entitled Highlighting the Brancovenesque Style: Natural Stone Ornaments and the Completion of the Façade of the Diocesan Cathedral in Madrid, is currently being implemented…

May 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Memorial cross blessed at Romanian Parliament on site of church demolished under communism

A memorial cross was blessed on Tuesday near the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest on the site of the former “Spirea Veche” Church, which was demolished during the communist regime. The blessing service was officiated by Archimandrite Nectarie Șofelea, Exarch of the Monasteries of the Archdiocese of Bucharest. According to a press release, the monument…

May 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian diaspora parishes to host Children’s Day activities promoting language and faith

Romanian Orthodox parishes in the diaspora will organise educational activities in the Romanian language for Children’s Day, as part of a joint initiative supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Romanian Patriarchate aimed at promoting the cultural and spiritual identity of Romanians living abroad. The subject was discussed on Monday during the third…

May 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian deacon’s wife: ‘Motherhood helps us see ourselves as we truly are’

Theodora Moisescu is a deacon’s wife, a mother and a German language teacher. Born in Germany to a Romanian-German family, she came to Romania at 18 to pursue her studies and chose to remain in Timișoara. She graduated from the Faculty of Sociology and Psychology at the West University of Timișoara, specialising in Primary and…

May 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

First feast for newly canonised Romanian Athonite Saint Dionysius of Vatopedi held at Colciu Cell

Bishop Siluan of Hungary presided at the St George Cell – Colciu over the first feast in honour of Saint Dionysius of Vatopedi following the recent canonisation of the Romanian elder by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The all-night vigil began last Sunday evening and continued on Monday morning with the Divine Liturgy. The Romanian hierarch attended…

May 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Casian honours world champion robotics team from Brăila

“The students told us that they feel the presence of God in everything,” said Archbishop Casian of the Lower Danube during a festive event organised on Tuesday in honour of the “Velocity” robotics team from Brăila, world champions at the FIRST Tech Challenge held in the United States. The event took place at the Museum…

May 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox churches to ring bells nationwide on Heroes’ Day

On the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, which will be celebrated on Thursday, 21 May 2026, the Romanian Patriarchate will also mark Heroes’ Day through a solemn moment of remembrance dedicated to those who sacrificed their lives for faith, freedom and national unity. At noon, the bells of all churches within the Romanian…

May 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu