Aurelian 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

Tens of thousands attend funeral of Georgian Patriarch Ilia II

The funeral of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia took place on Sunday at 12:30 local time, drawing tens of thousands of mourners. The burial service was officiated by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, concelebrating with Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku (Mujiri), Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne of the Georgian Orthodox Church, together…

Mar 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel holds Trisagion for Georgian Patriarch Ilia II on day of funeral

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church officiated a Trisagion service on Sunday at the Chapel of the Great Martyr George within the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest, in memory of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia. The Patriarch of Romania offered prayers for the repose of the soul of the Primate of the Georgian…

Mar 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Thousands pay tribute to Patriarch Ilia II in Tbilisi Cathedral

Thousands of Georgians are paying their final respects to Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia at his coffin in the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) in Tbilisi. The transfer of the patriarch’s coffin from the Patriarchal Residence drew large crowds in a solemn procession through the streets of Tbilisi. According to Orthodoxia News Agency, senior state officials…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Georgian Church calls for faith, repentance and unity after Patriarch Ilia II’s passing

The Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church has called on the people of Georgia to embrace repentance, unity, and spiritual renewal following the passing of Patriarch Ilia II. “Today, our love for the Patriarch must be shown by following his long-standing exhortations; first of all, by confessing our sins before God and one another,…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Greek TV to produce series on St Philothei of Athens, a protectress of women deprived of freedom

Mega Channel in Greece is preparing a television series on the life of Saint Philothei of Athens, commemorated annually on 19 February in the Orthodox calendar. The saint was born in 16th-century Athens as Revoula, the result of her mother’s prayers after being unable to have children. Although she did not wish to marry, she…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu