Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Bishop warns drugs lure youth with ‘quick highs’ but lead to depression

His Grace Bishop Sofronie of Oradea warned in an interview with Agerpres that drugs pose a major danger to young people because they promise “quick highs” but deliver “inner collapse and depression” in return. According to the bishop, narcotic substances are a substitute for authentic good, sought by people to replace the love and meaning…

Jan 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

35 years since Mother Alexandra’s repose, Princess Ileana buried with Romanian soil

Wednesday marks 35 years since the repose of Mother Alexandra, born Princess Ileana of Romania, daughter of King Ferdinand I “the Unifier” and Queen Marie. She was born at Cotroceni Palace on 23 December 1908 (sometimes given as 5 January 1909 under the revised calendar). Through her mother, she was related to the royal families…

Jan 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch meets Israeli Ambassador, highlights pilgrimages and bilateral ties

On Tuesday, 20 January 2026, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania received Israel’s Ambassador to Bucharest, Lior Ben Dor, at the Patriarchal Residence. The ambassador was accompanied by Erez Golan, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Israel in Bucharest. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel expressed his joy at meeting the ambassador again and praised…

Jan 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Banat Metropolitan calls for prayer for families, end to violence against women

His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat on Sunday urged prayer for families and called for an end to violence against women. “I would raise a prayer to God to bless our country, Banat and the whole world,” the metropolitan said. “To you, my brothers, I have one request: let us pray for families, because in…

Jan 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Israeli Ambassador visits Bucharest Orthodox Seminary, praises students’ training

Israeli Ambassador to Romania Lior Ben Dor visited the “Metropolitan Nifon” Theological Seminary in Bucharest on Tuesday, expressing appreciation for the students’ solid theological education and for the institution’s broader formation in both the humanities and sciences. During the visit, the ambassador met Archimandrite Nectarie Șofelea, the seminary’s director, abbot of Radu Vodă Monastery, and…

Jan 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church in South Carolina consecrated after nine-year effort

After nine years of sustained efforts, Romanians in South Carolina took part on Sunday in the consecration of the Church of St Gregory the Theologian in Easley, the only Romanian parish in this U.S. state. The consecration service was led by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas, together with…

Jan 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel says gratitude is humility and ‘health of the soul’

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said on Sunday at the historic chapel of St George at the Patriarchal Residence that gratitude is a state of humility and spiritual well-being. The Patriarch referred to the Gospel reading on the healing of the ten lepers, noting that only one returned to give thanks. “Immediately after he was healed,…

Jan 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Relics of Saint Eulogia of Samurcășești exhumed, Bishop calls her an example of service

Venerable Evloghia Țârlea is, for the nuns of this monastery and for nuns throughout the Orthodox Church—especially within the Romanian Orthodox Church—“an example of service,” Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova said last Thursday as the relics of St Eulogia were exhumed at Samurcășești-Ciorogârla Monastery in Ilfov County. The saint, canonised last year by the Holy…

Jan 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate reaffirms constitutional right to Religious Education in state schools

Following the publication of journalistic materials raising the issue of an alleged “illegal” teaching of the subject Religion, the Romanian Patriarchate makes the following clarifications: 1. According to the Constitution of Romania, “The State shall ensure the freedom of religious education, in accordance with the specific requirements of each religious cult. In public schools, religious…

Jan 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Bishop in Italy urges Theology students to focus on knowing God, not on diplomas

“The purpose of my life is to know the Lord,” Bishop Siluan of Italy told students at the Rome Extension of the “Patriarch Justinian” Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest. Earlier this week, the hierarch held a spiritual discussion with them. His Grace stressed that the meaning of life cannot be reduced to diplomas and…

Jan 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

St Vladimir’s Seminary in New York launches fundraiser to publish Stăniloae’s Palamas volume in English

St Vladimir’s Seminary in New York has launched a fundraising campaign to publish, for the first time in English, the volume The Life and Teaching of Saint Gregory Palamas, written by Saint Dumitru Stăniloae. Those who wish to support the publication financially can donate through a fundraising platform hosted on the institute’s website. Funds raised…

Jan 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu