Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate warns of fraudulent online accounts falsely claiming to represent clergy

In the context of the recent appearance on social media of accounts which falsely claim to represent clerical and monastic personnel, and through which money is requested in exchange for non-Orthodox practices (fortune-telling, “deliverance prayers”, “witchcraft” or other activities of an occult nature), the Romanian Patriarchate draws attention to these fraud attempts, urging awareness of…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

New US Ambassador to Bucharest pays courtesy visit to the Romanian Patriarchate

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed the new U.S. Ambassador Darryl Nirenberg to the Patriarchal Residence on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, for a courtesy call. The ambassador was accompanied by Aaron Singleterry, the embassy’s political counsellor, and Alex Climescu, a political specialist. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed the ambassador to the Romanian Patriarchate and highlighted the…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Ambassador praises Patriarch Ilia II’s role in strengthening Orthodox ties

His Excellency Răzvan Rotundu, Romania’s ambassador to Georgia, has sent a message of condolence following the passing of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia, highlighting his remarkable contribution to the life of the Orthodox Church and to inter-Orthodox relations. “May God rest the soul of His Beatitude Ilia, Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia, a distinguished spiritual leader…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Shio, locum tenens: Patriarch Ilia was an epochal figure; great loss for Orthodox Church worldwide

“Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II has fallen asleep in the Lord. He was a man of an epoch, and his passing is an immeasurable loss for the entire world Orthodox Church,” said Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku (Mujiri), Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne. He created a whole epoch According to the website…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Georgian Ambassador mourns Patriarch Ilia II, praises humility and ‘quiet strength’

The Ambassador of Georgia to Romania, Tamar Beruchashvili, said the late Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia was “a spiritual shepherd in the truest sense,” guiding his people with humility, wisdom and quiet strength through times of trial and change. Speaking to Basilica.ro after news of the patriarch’s death, she described it as “an immense loss…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Georgia to bury Patriarch Ilia II on March 22 at Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi

His Beatitude Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia will be laid to rest on Sunday, 22 March, at the Sioni Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Tbilisi, the Georgian Orthodox Church announced. The decision was presented by Metropolitan Jobi of Urbnisi and Ruisi, who described the late patriarch as “an epochal figure” with immeasurable…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Serbian Orthodox Saint Nikolai Velimirović marked 70 years after blessed repose

March 18 marks 70 years since the blessed repose of Saint Nikolai Velimirović, a Serbian Orthodox hierarch whose life was defined by sacrifice, witness and devotion to the Serbian people and the Orthodox Christian faith. He was born on 23 December 1880 in Serbia. His early education began in the family and continued at Ćelije…

Mar 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ukraine establishes Romanian Language Day on Aug. 31 by presidential decree

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has officially established Romanian Language Day in Ukraine, to be celebrated annually on 31 August, according to a presidential decree. The decision was taken during the Ukrainian president’s visit to Romania on 12 March. The decree states that the holiday was introduced “to promote mutual understanding, mutual respect and cooperation in Ukrainian-Romanian…

Mar 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Macarie begins mission among glaciers in Greenland

Bishop Macarie Drăgoi of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe arrived in Greenland on Monday, where he will spend a week celebrating the Divine Liturgy and baptising local people who wish to enter into communion with the Church. In a message posted on the diocese’s Facebook page, the bishop said the mission is taking…

Mar 17, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s National Cathedral project competes for best façade in Europe

Baumit, a leading construction materials company, has entered the National Cathedral of Romania project into the Life Challenge 2026 competition, in the non-residential buildings category, which rewards the most striking Baumit façades across Europe. “The National Cathedral is a landmark of Romanian religious architecture, combining Byzantine tradition with local elements. Its façades, structured with arches…

Mar 17, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Bishop warns Cross offers no magical protection without Gospel life

His Grace Assistant Bishop Teofil of Iberia of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Spain and Portugal warned on Sunday that the Holy Cross does not offer a magical protection if a Christian’s life contradicts the Gospel. He delivered a sermon during the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Cross Parish, Alcalá del Júcar – Casas-Ibáñez in…

Mar 17, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu