Aurelian Iftimiu

Lead scientist of Holy Sepulchre restoration recalls ‘energy’ felt when Christ’s tomb was opened

Professor Antonia Moropoulou of the National Technical University of Athens recently delivered two lectures on the historic restoration of the Holy Sepulchre located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. “When we opened the Holy Sepulchre, my colleagues and I felt an energy being released. The findings within the masonry fully preserved their historical authenticity,”…

May 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Local proclamation of Saint Matrona of Hurezi’s canonisation held at Hurezi Monastery

“She truly passed through great struggles and ascetic labours,” said Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia on Tuesday, May 5, at the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Matrona of Hurezi. His Eminence highlighted the saint’s life of asceticism and total dedication, underlining that she was pleasing to God through her entire way of life. “Saint…

May 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Local proclamation of Saint Mavra of Ceahlău’s canonisation held at Durău Monastery

“We give thanks to God for this great gift that He has bestowed upon Moldavia,” said Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina on Monday, May 4, at the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Mavra of Ceahlău. His Eminence also expressed gratitude to Patriarch Daniel of Romania, who blessed the proposal for the canonisation…

May 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

INSCOP survey: More than 80% of young Romanians say faith is essential for a moral life

More than 80% of young Romanians consider faith essential in shaping a moral life, according to the latest Barometer conducted by INSCOP Research on a nationally representative sample. The data are part of the ninth edition of the survey, conducted between 1 and 7 April 2026, with a sample of 1,100 respondents via telephone interviews…

May 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint Dionysius of Colciu commemorated for first time in Metropolis of Bessarabia after canonisation

The feast of Saint Dionysius of Colciu was celebrated for the first time since his canonisation on Sunday in the Metropolis of Bessarabia. On this occasion, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia at the Annunciation Parish, the metropolitan metochion in the locality of Sculeni, Republic of Moldova. A fragment of the…

May 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bulgaria allocates €62.5 million for restoration of rural churches and monasteries

The Bulgarian state will invest €62.5 million in restoring churches and monasteries in the country’s rural areas. The announcement was made by Bulgaria’s Minister of Agriculture Ivan Hristanov at the Eleshnitsa Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary, located near the village of Eleshnitsa in the Sofia region. The funds are intended to support the protection…

May 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Thousands attend Royal Garden Party at Elisabeta Palace on Romania’s Royalty Day

More than 4,000 Romanians from both sides of the Prut River attended the traditional Garden Party hosted by the Romanian Royal House at Elisabeta Palace on Sunday, on the occasion of Royalty Day. As this year marks 160 years since the founding of the Romanian Royal House and, implicitly, of the modern Romanian state, this…

May 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania proposes Vânători-Neamț Monastic Cultural Landscape for UNESCO World Heritage status

Romania’s Ministry of Culture has recently submitted a proposal to include the Vânători-Neamț Monastic Cultural Landscape on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the “Land of the Bison” ecodestination. The Vânători-Neamț Monastic Landscape overlaps with Vânători-Neamț Natural Park, a protected area of approximately 30,000 hectares designated in 1999 and including two Natura 2000…

May 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

American students from University of Pittsburgh visit Romanian Patriarchate

A group of thirteen students from the University of Pittsburgh in the United States, accompanied by Professor Horia M. Dijmărescu, visited the Patriarchal Palace on Monday. The group was welcomed by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești and Archimandrite Augustin Coman, coordinating patriarchal adviser of the Department for Christian, Interreligious and Romanian Communities Abroad Relations.…

May 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku elected 142nd Patriarch of Georgia

His Eminence Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku was elected Patriarch of Georgia on Monday, becoming the 142nd primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church. According to Georgian media, His Eminence received 22 of 39 votes. The other two candidates — Metropolitan Iobi of Urbnisi and Ruisi received 9 votes, while Metropolitan Grigol of Poti and…

May 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian women in history: Natalia Manoilescu Dinu proved that women can substantially contribute to theological thought

106 years ago, on March 14, Natalia Manoilescu Dinu was born in Bucharest. Her father, Mihail Manoilescu, made a notable contribution to international economic thought, but her calling was in theology. She followed the spiritual and academic footsteps of Saint Dumitru Stăniloae. As a young woman residing in Bucharest, she concurrently undertook studies in theology…

May 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu