Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s Foreign Ministry launches task force to boost Romanian language promotion abroad

Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) last Thursday hosted the first meeting of an inter-institutional working group aimed at enhancing cooperation in promoting the Romanian language among diaspora communities and historical Romanian minorities abroad. According to a ministry press release, the group seeks to improve coordination among institutions responsible for the study and promotion of…

Mar 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel marks 36 years as bishop, hailed for shaping the Church’s rhythm and ethos

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel was congratulated on Sunday at the end of the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest on the 36th anniversary of his episcopal ordination. Before delivering the congratulatory message, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești presented the volume “The Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate, New Romanian Saints and the Consecration…

Mar 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel says icons invite us to prayer, holiness and communion on Sunday of Orthodoxy

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel underscored on Sunday the essential role of holy icons in the life of believers, stating that “icons invite us to prayer, to holiness and to communion with all the Saints of God.” The Patriarch of Romania attended the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, celebrated by his Patriarchal Auxiliary…

Mar 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Hon Metr. Nifon praises Bulgarian community during ‘Todorovden’ celebration in Târgoviște

Archbishop Nifon of Târgoviște, honorary metropolitan and patriarchal exarch, delivered a message on Saturday on the occasion of “Todorovden – the Horses’ Easter,” a traditional holiday observed annually by the Bulgarian minority in the Romanian city of Târgoviște. The feast takes place on the first Saturday of Great Lent and derives its name from St.…

Mar 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate representation assists pilgrims in Israel as airspace closes amid security tensions

The Romanian Patriarchate’s Representation to the Holy Places is providing assistance to Romanian pilgrims currently in Israel, amid heightened security tensions and the temporary closure of the country’s airspace. The situation deteriorated on Friday morning, when air raid sirens were activated and several rockets launched from Iran were intercepted by defense systems, according to Agerpres.…

Mar 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Bishop in Northern Europe issues seven Lenten guidelines for spiritual renewal

His Grace Bishop Macarie Drăgoi of Northern Europe has offered seven pastoral guidelines for spiritual renewal during Great Lent, urging the faithful to turn the fasting season into a time of reconciliation with God and neighbour, and of concrete solidarity with those who suffer. Ascetic struggle during Lent The bishop called believers to embrace ascetic…

Feb 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

U.S. Orthodox Bishops: Restoration of icons meant restoration of Church unity

The restoration of holy icons was more than a historical event — it was the restoration of the unity of the Church itself, the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America said in its encyclical for the Sunday of Orthodoxy. The Assembly, of which His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae, Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan…

Feb 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Sunday of Orthodoxy Encyclical 2026: Church affirms the unique and eternal value of every person

On the Sunday of Orthodoxy—the first Sunday of Great Lent—the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church released its annual pastoral encyclical, signed by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel and all members of the Synod. The letter, traditionally read in every parish during the Divine Liturgy, centres on the theme: “Man is the living icon of…

Feb 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian priest in Italy reflects on growth of Forlì parish and diaspora identity

Fr Florin Haniș, parish priest of the Romanian Orthodox community in Forlì, Italy, spoke in an interview with the Romanian publication Formula AS about the beginnings and development of the Romanian community in the Emilia-Romagna region. “The Romanian Orthodox Parish of Saint Gregory the Theologian in Forlì, Emilia-Romagna, was born only around 2006, after we…

Feb 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Atanasie addresses London Police, says faith ‘supports and ennobles public service’

The Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain and Northern Ireland addressed London police officers on Monday during the event “Orthodox Easter 2026,” stressing that for Orthodox Christians, “faith is not separate from public service, but supports and ennobles it.” The event took place at the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service (New Scotland Yard). Among…

Feb 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie: Great Canon is ‘Adam’s lament’ and a biography of the soul

“The Great Canon has been called Adam’s Lament—that is, the lament of the man who realised that, in losing God, he lost himself. For this reason, the Canon is the biography of each of our souls, written in the form of prayer,” said patriarchal auxiliary bishop Paisie of Sinaia on Tuesday evening at the Patriarchal…

Feb 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu