Aurelian Iftimiu

Young Saint George chose faith over worldly advancement, says Bishop Ioan Casian at Cathedral patronal feast

Though young and possessed of a promising career, Saint George chose the confession of the faith over worldly advantage, becoming a model for Christians today, Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada said on Thursday at the patronal feast of the Episcopal Cathedral in Saint-Hubert. “He is an example of choosing between career and faith,” the hierarch…

Apr 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Oldest Romanian Orthodox parish in Great Britain marks patronal feast of Saint George

The Romanian Orthodox parish of Saint George in Holborn, the first Romanian community established in London, celebrated its patronal feast on Thursday with a Divine Liturgy led by Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In his homily, the archbishop reflected on the life and witness of Saint George, saying true victory is found…

Apr 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox parish in Italy receives church building in Catholic donation

The Romanian Orthodox parish of Saint John the Baptist in Savona, Italy, has received its own church building through a donation from a local Catholic community, in what the clergy described as a historic moment for the parish. The deed of donation was signed on Monday by Father Domenico Vittorini, representing the Ligurian Augustinian community,…

Apr 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian ambassador visits bishop in Republic of Moldova, backs identity and faith projects

His Grace Bishop Veniamin received the Romanian Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Cristian-Leon Țurcanu, on Thursday for talks focused on support for Romanian communities, cultural identity, and church projects in southern Bessarabia. The bishop thanked the ambassador for his attention to Romanians in the region and for supporting identity-related initiatives, stressing the importance of…

Apr 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian bishop says Christians face ‘polite persecution’ in Europe

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia warned Thursday of both violent and “polite” forms of persecution facing Christians today, speaking at the chapel of Romania’s National Cathedral on the feast of Saint George. In his sermon, the hierarch reflected on Christ’s words from the Gospel of the day: “The hour is coming when whoever kills…

Apr 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel hails Saint George as protector in times of trial at residence chapel feast

“Saint George became renowned, in both East and West, as a military saint who helps people in difficult circumstances,” Patriarch Daniel said Thursday during the patronal feast of the historic Saint George Chapel at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest. In his homily, the Romanian patriarch recounted the life and martyrdom of Saint George, describing him…

Apr 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Hundreds join St Cleopas relics procession in northern Romania: We confess our bond with the saints

Hundreds of faithful took part Wednesday evening in a procession with the relics of Saint Cleopas Ilie of Sihăstria in the northeastern Romanian city of Botoșani, during festivities marking the patronal feast of Saint George Church. The events began with Vespers and Artoklasia, followed by a procession through the city centre led by Metropolitan Teofan…

Apr 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch sends food and books to monks on Mount Athos

A delegation from the Romanian Patriarchate is visiting Mount Athos this week to deliver food supplies and books to Romanian monastic communities on behalf of Patriarch Daniel. The patriarch dispatched 1,450 volumes, consisting of 290 book titles designated for the library of each monastic settlement, in addition to eight tonnes of non-perishable food. The aid…

Apr 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Relics of newly canonised Saint Blandina exhumed in Romania ahead of local proclamation

The relics of newly canonised Saint Blandina of Iași were exhumed on Wednesday at Eternitatea Cemetery in Iași, in a solemn rite ahead of the local proclamation of her canonisation. The service was led by Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia and the Iași Archdiocese’s Assistant Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani. The relics were then placed in…

Apr 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint George relic arrives in Romania as bishop hails ‘blessing’ for faithful

“We are blessed with this gift,” Bishop Galaction of Alexandria and Teleorman said on Wednesday as the reliquary containing the honourable skull of Saint George was welcomed at Pantocrator Monastery in southern Romania. The relic was brought from Mount Athos by a delegation from Xenophontos Monastery led by Archimandrite Alexios, the monastery’s abbot. Spiritual consolation…

Apr 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Middle East patriarchs renew appeal 13 years after Aleppo bishops’ abduction

Patriarch John X of Antioch and Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II issued a new joint appeal on Wednesday over the 2013 abduction of two Aleppo bishops, calling the unresolved case “an affront of deceit” and renewing a plea for truth and Christian solidarity in the Middle East. The statement referred to the kidnapping of Metropolitan Paul…

Apr 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu