Aurelian 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

Ecumenical Patriarch to journalists: Good is the news, and good news stands at the centre of the Christian life

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople said last week during a visit to the Athens headquarters of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation that, contrary to a common journalistic view, “good itself is the news”. “According to a journalistic opinion which we personally do not share, news does not hide in goodness, and goodness does not constitute…

May 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian charity priest says family dysfunction and isolation fuel addictions

Fr Alin Nica, coordinator of the hospital and charity clergy within the Archdiocese of Bucharest, said on Sunday in an interview with Radio România Cultural that many addictions emerge when dysfunctions exist within the family. The priest explained that interpersonal relationships are increasingly affected by today’s culture, which emphasises immediate, effortless satisfaction. “Many addictions appear…

May 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox bishop calls for dialogue between spiritual life and psychology

His Grace Assistant Bishop Damaschin of Dorna from the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți gave an interview as part of the Hristocentric project in which he addressed one of the most sensitive issues of our time: the relationship between spiritual life and psychology, the need for interdisciplinary dialogue, and the search for the integral healing…

May 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Peter Peterson, benefactor and promoter of Romanian Orthodox sacred art, laid to rest in Bucharest

Peter Peterson, a generous promoter of Orthodox sacred art and supporter of churches, was laid to rest on Saturday by a large assembly of clergy led by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești at Saint Anthony Church – Curtea Veche in Bucharest. The bishop was joined in prayer by clergy from the Patriarchal Administration, the…

May 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Mount Athos Elder Saint Dionysius of Colciu commemorated 22 years after repose

Monday marks 22 years since the repose of Saint Dionysius of Colciu, one of the great Romanian spiritual elders of Mount Athos. Saint Dionysius was born on 22 September 1909 in Vorniceni, Romania, into a large, devout family, the youngest of eight children. At baptism, he received the name Dumitru. His childhood was marked by…

May 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu