Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint Irene honoured as patron of Santorini in first official island celebration

Saint Irene the Great Martyr is being celebrated for the first time on Tuesday as the patron saint of Santorini. The decision followed a request by the Metropolis of Thera, Amorgos and Nisioi and was approved by the Municipal Council of Thera. Presidential Decree no. 81/2025 establishes 5 May as an official local holiday in…

May 5, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian women in history: 20 years since the repose of Mother Benedicta, scholar who embraced monastic life

Tuesday marks 20 years since the repose of Mother Benedicta — academician Zoe Dumitrescu-Bușulenga — who, during the communist period, urged her students to read the Bible and, after its fall, rose to become Vice-President of the Romanian Academy before choosing the path of monastic life. She was born on 20 August 1920 in Bucharest…

May 5, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Six centuries since the martyrdom of Saint Ephraim the New, wonderworker of Nea Makri

Six centuries ago, on 5 May 1426, Saint Ephraim the New surrendered his soul after enduring prolonged and brutal torture for the Orthodox faith. Saint Ephraim was born in Greece on 14 September 1384 and was left fatherless at a young age. At the age of 14, he entered monastic life at the Monastery of…

May 5, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Christ calls us to show mercy at all times, following the healing at Bethesda

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania underlined on Sunday that “Jesus Christ teaches us that at all times we must do good, showing merciful love and offering help to those who suffer, the sick and the lonely.” The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church interpreted the Gospel passage of the healing of the paralysed man…

May 5, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian in history: Queen Helen, Righteous Among the Nations and the mother of a wise king

Sunday marked 130 years since the birth of Queen Helen of Romania, posthumously honoured with the title of Righteous Among the Nations for saving the lives of thousands of Jews and, indirectly, preventing the deportation of tens of thousands more through her interventions with Ion Antonescu. Alongside this courageous involvement in public affairs, she fulfilled…

May 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada to mark 10th anniversary with liturgical and cultural events

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada marks this year a decade since its establishment, with a series of religious and cultural events scheduled for 8–10 May. The celebrations will take place at the Cathedral of Saint George the Great Martyr and Saints Epictetus and Astion in Saint-Hubert, Canada. Anniversary Programme The programme will open on…

May 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel receives Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon at Patriarchal Residence

On Thursday, 30 April 2026, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania welcomed His Eminence Emmanuel of Chalcedon at the Patriarchal Residence. He was accompanied by Archimandrite Aetios Nikiforos, the Grand Ecclesiarch and Director of the Patriarchal Office. Patriarch Daniel welcomed the guests to the Romanian Patriarchate and highlighted the longstanding relations of friendship between the…

May 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania marks War Veterans Day with military and religious ceremony in Bucharest

War Veterans Day was marked on Wednesday with a military and religious ceremony at the Monument of the Heroes of the Nation, in front of the Carol I National Defence University in Bucharest. The Te Deum service was officiated by a group of military chaplains. Fr Ciprian Ioniță, Patriarchal Counsellor and coordinator of the Social-Philanthropic…

Apr 30, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew encourages promotion of Romanian cultural values during meeting with ICR Istanbul Director

Dragoș Tiberiu Niță, Director of the Romanian Cultural Institute Dimitrie Cantemir Istanbul, met on Wednesday with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople. In a post on his personal Facebook page, Dragoș Tiberiu Niță said the Ecumenical Patriarch encouraged him to continue “promoting Romanian cultural and spiritual values in an international context.” He added…

Apr 30, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew receives Patriarch John X of Antioch at the Phanar

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople received on Tuesday His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Phanar district of Constantinople. The visit took place as Patriarch John X wished to convey his Paschal greetings personally to the Ecumenical Patriarch, following an invitation from Patriarch Bartholomew. The Primate…

Apr 30, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Senate backs 2027 as “Year of Romania’s Independence” to mark 150th anniversary

The Romanian Senate adopted on Wednesday a legislative proposal designating 2027 as the “Year of Romania’s Independence,” marking 150 years since the proclamation of state independence. The draft law has been forwarded to the Chamber of Deputies of Romania, which serves as the decision-making body in this case. Under the Senate-approved version, Parliament, the Presidential…

Apr 30, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu