Aurelian Iftimiu

Jerusalem Churches launch restoration of Nativity Grotto in Bethlehem

The Jerusalem Patriarchate, the Custody of the Holy Land, and the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced the start of restoration work at the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem. According to a joint statement, the works will be carried out by the Italian company that recently oversaw the rehabilitation of the Church of the Nativity,…

Jan 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Banat Metropolis sends Greek-speaking priest to support victims of Timiș road crash

The Metropolis of Banat announced that it will provide spiritual and material support to the victims of the road accident that occurred on Tuesday in Timiș County, with a Greek-speaking priest set to offer spiritual assistance to those hospitalised. Metropolitan Ioan of Banat expressed his profound sorrow over the tragic road accident that took place…

Jan 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian addiction specialist urges people to seek help, says recovery requires support

Father Liviu Burlacu, a specialist in addiction recovery, recently gave an interview to Euro TV, urging those struggling with addiction to ask for help. Alcohol, drug or gambling addiction can be overcome when the affected person has the courage to seek and accept support, he said. “It is an act of dignity and humility to…

Jan 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Italy gathers 900 clergy and laity to assess diaspora mission

The Diocesan Assembly and Congress of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy brought together more than 900 clergy, monastics and lay representatives on Tuesday in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome. The proceedings of the Diocesan Assembly were presided over by Bishop Siluan, who presented the main directions of diocesan activity and oversaw the review of reports…

Jan 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel offers condolences after Greek football fans killed in Romania road crash

Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church has expressed deep sorrow and compassion following a tragic road accident in western Romania that claimed the lives of seven Greek citizens and left three others seriously injured. In a message released after the incident, the Patriarch of Romania conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and offered prayers…

Jan 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

First Romanian Orthodox parish in Netherlands marks 45 years with anniversary liturgy

The St Gregory the Theologian Parish in Schiedam/Rotterdam—the first Romanian Orthodox parish in the Netherlands—celebrated its patron saint and marked 45 years since its founding on Sunday. On this occasion, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe, together with the parish priest, Ioan Dură, and Fr. Laurent Van Damme…

Jan 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church to proclaim canonisation of 16 holy women in Bucharest: Schedule

The liturgical events at the Patriarchal Cathedral of “Saints Constantine and Helen” in Bucharest, marking the general proclamation of the canonisation of 16 Romanian holy women, will take place according to the following schedule: On Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., at the Patriarchal Cathedral, at the conclusion of Vespers, the final memorial service…

Jan 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Australia and New Zealand reviews 2025 activity at Melbourne assembly

Clergy and lay representatives of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand met on Saturday at the diocesan centre in Melbourne—at the Life-giving Spring Monastery—to review the diocese’s activity. The meeting was preceded by a Te Deum service marking the anniversary of the Union of the Romanian Principalities. The Diocesan Assembly was chaired…

Jan 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Metropolitan Serafim attends installation of new Vienna Catholic archbishop

His Eminence Metropolitan Serafim of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Germany, Central and Northern Europe, attended the enthronement ceremony of the new Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Vienna, Josef Grünwidl, on Saturday. The installation took place at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the Austrian capital, in the presence of around 3,000 people. The ordination and installation…

Jan 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Southern Bessarabia diocese donates mobile hospital to Ukraine’s Odesa region

The Diocese of Southern Bessarabia donated a mobile hospital to Ukraine’s Odesa region, with the official handover ceremony taking place on Saturday, when Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia presented the vehicle to the regional administration. During the visit, the bishop was accompanied by Claudiu Tătaru, Romania’s Consul General in Odesa; Alexandrin Moiseev, a member of…

Jan 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Cross-border Orthodox liturgy held in Iași for Saint Joseph the Merciful

The feast of Saint Joseph the Merciful brought together Orthodox hierarchs from both sides of the Prut River on Monday in Iași. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Metropolitan Cathedral by Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina, together with Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia, Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia, and Assistant Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani…

Jan 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu