Aurelian Iftimiu

Israel prepares logistics for Holy Fire transfer to Romania amid security challenges

The Embassy of Israel in Romania said on Tuesday that Israeli authorities have begun logistical preparations for the transfer of the Holy Fire from Jerusalem, amid ongoing security challenges in the region. In a statement posted on social media, the embassy said that “the State of Israel is taking all necessary steps to facilitate the…

Mar 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Virgin Mary honoured as ‘living icon of the Church, obedient to God in humility’, Patriarch Daniel says

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said on Wednesday that the Mother of God holds a central place in the history of humanity’s salvation, describing her as “a living icon of the Church, obedient to God in humility”. He underlined that the Feast of the Annunciation marks “the beginning of our salvation…

Mar 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarchate issues encyclical for 1,400-Year Jubilee of Akathist Hymn: The sweetest delight of Christians

The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has issued an encyclical marking the 1,400th anniversary of the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos, regarded as the first such hymnographic composition in the history of the Church. The hierarchs described the Akathist as “the most beloved hymn of our liturgical life, the sweetest delight of…

Mar 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian pilgrims mark 1,400 years of Akathist Hymn at Blachernae Church in Constantinople

A group of Romanian pilgrims prayed on Wednesday at the Church of the Virgin Mary of Blachernae in Constantinople, marking 1,400 years since the first chanting of the Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God. The pilgrimage, organised by the Romanian Patriarchate’s Basilica Travel Agency, is taking place over four days and includes visits to…

Mar 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate delegation meets Georgian Church hierarchs after Patriarch Ilia II funeral

A delegation of the Romanian Patriarchate that attended the funeral of Patriarch Ilia II was received on Monday afternoon at the headquarters of the Patriarchate of Georgia for a meeting with the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne and other Georgian hierarchs. Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, welcomed…

Mar 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Jubilee Year for the Akathist Hymn marks 1,400 years since first chanting

This year marks 14 centuries since the city of Constantinople was saved from a siege by a coalition of Avars and Persians, an event commemorated by the first chanting of the Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God. The Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos, traditionally attributed to Saint Romanos the Melodist, was first chanted in…

Mar 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch says no one identified more with Georgia than Patriarch Ilia II

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I said on Sunday in Tbilisi that no one had identified more closely with Georgia than Patriarch Ilia II of blessed memory. In his address at the funeral service for Patriarch Ilia, His All-Holiness underscored the magnitude of the loss, stating: “How could we not deeply mourn the departure of…

Mar 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop warns of rising youth addictions, distancing them from faith and family

Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia on Sunday warned that an increasing number of young people are falling prey to addictions, distancing them from faith and family. His Grace officiated the Divine Liturgy at the Parish of Saint Nicholas in Arenii Noi, Republic of Moldova. Reflecting on the Gospel account of the healing of the demoniac…

Mar 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Greek community in Romania marks National Day with Te Deum service in Bucharest

The Greek community in Romania marked Greece’s National Day on Sunday with a Te Deum service officiated at the Chapel of the Annunciation in Bucharest. The commemorative events took place at the place of worship on the grounds of the Embassy of Greece in Romania. Attendees included Her Excellency Lili Evangelia Grammatika, Ambassador of the…

Mar 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Bishop urges faithful to ‘melt the icebergs of the soul’ after Greenland mission

His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe on Saturday urged the faithful to “melt the icebergs of the soul” at the conclusion of a pastoral mission in Greenland. His Grace spoke about the missionary experience carried out in extreme conditions, as well as its spiritual fruits. “After the seven days spent in Greenland, I can…

Mar 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Prayer united with fasting is liberating and powerful against passions and illness, says Romanian Patriarch Daniel

“Prayer united with fasting is necessary, living and powerful, liberating from passions, unclean spirits, illness and weakness,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said on Sunday. In his homily delivered at the historic Chapel of the Holy Great Martyr George within the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest, Patriarch Daniel highlighted the contrast between…

Mar 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu