Aurelian Iftimiu

Jerusalem Patriarch says Resurrection is ‘living reality’, urges Christians to remain in Holy Land

“The event of the Resurrection is not merely a remembrance of something belonging to the past, but subsists as a living and active reality, grounded in the mystical power of the Cross,” Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem said in his Easter message this year. “In the sacrifice of the Cross and the victory of the…

Apr 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania bids farewell to football coach Mircea Lucescu at funeral in Bucharest

Former Romania national team coach Mircea Lucescu was laid to rest on Good Friday, with hundreds of mourners—family members, relatives, friends and admirers—attending the funeral in Bucharest. The funeral service took place at Saint Eleutherius the New Church in Bucharest and was officiated by His Grace Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova of the Archdiocese of…

Apr 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif urges diaspora to live the Resurrection, not just proclaim it

“We are called not only to say ‘Christ is risen’, but to show through our lives that Christ is alive. Let us become people of the Resurrection—people of light, peace, forgiveness and love,” Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe said in his Easter pastoral letter to Romanians in the diaspora. He stressed that the…

Apr 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia Metropolitan urges Christians to live for God and others in Easter pastoral letter

“A person who believes in Christ the Risen One no longer lives for himself, but for God and for his neighbour. He lives out his vocation as a witness to the light, a bearer of peace and a servant of truth,” Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia said in his pastoral letter for Holy Pascha. His Eminence…

Apr 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ioan Casian: ‘Joy is the first gift Christ offers the Myrrh-bearing Women’

“The first thing Christ wishes to share with the Myrrh-bearing Women early in the morning is joy,” writes Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada in his pastoral message for Holy Pascha. “Joy springs from the encounter with the Son of God, who grants us salvation. It is the shared joy of communion once lost and restored…

Apr 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Atanasie says Resurrection is ‘true life’, calls for faith and stability in families

“The Resurrection is not merely a consolation for the soul, not just a beautiful thought that comforts us for a moment, but is life itself—the true life,” said Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in his Easter pastoral letter. In his message, the archbishop emphasised that the Resurrection transforms and gives meaning to…

Apr 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Republic of Moldova charity campaign collects nearly 100 tonnes of food ahead of Easter

Nearly 100 tonnes of food have been collected in the Republic of Moldova through the “Meal of Joy” campaign, which aims to support vulnerable people ahead of Easter. The annual national food collection drive, organised on Lazarus Saturday by the Social Mission “Diaconia”, reached its 17th edition this year and recorded a new high, according…

Apr 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Republic of Moldova launches project for first national mausoleum dedicated to World War I heroes

The Monumentum Association in the Republic of Moldova, in partnership with the Râșcani City Hall, has launched the construction of the country’s first national mausoleum dedicated to heroes who fell in the First World War. The monument will take the form of an obelisk crowned with a cross, standing nearly eight metres high and set…

Apr 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Mihail urges faithful in Australia, New Zealand to follow example of ‘heroes of the faith’ in Easter message

“Let us follow the faith of these heroes of the faith in Christ the Lord,” Bishop Mihail said in his Easter pastoral message addressed to Romanian Orthodox believers in Australia and New Zealand. His Grace stressed that the Resurrection of the Lord stands at the centre of Christian faith and represents the fulfilment of the…

Apr 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew calls Resurrection message a ‘gospel of peace’ in Easter address

“The message of the Cross and the Resurrection resounds today as a Gospel of peace, reconciliation, and justice,” Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I said in his Easter pastoral message. His All-Holiness stressed the profound significance of the Resurrection, describing it as “the manifest victory of life over death, renews all creation, and opens to humanity the…

Apr 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Fire from Jerusalem to be flown to Romania on special flight amid security restrictions

The Holy Fire from Jerusalem will be brought to Romania on a special flight on Holy Saturday, following an agreement secured with the support of Romanian and Israeli authorities. Archimandrite Ioan Meiu, representative of the Romanian Patriarchate to the Holy Land, said the Romanian delegation had received the necessary approvals to transport the Holy Fire.…

Apr 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu