Aurelian Iftimiu

Over 5 billion live under religious discrimination, interfaith dialogue seen as remedy

More than two-thirds of the world’s population lives in countries where religious freedom is restricted or violated, according to a 2025 report published by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN International). The document notes that interreligious dialogue and cooperation between communities can help reduce discrimination and promote social peace. Analysing the situation in 196…

Jan 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Generation Z shows rising interest in Christianity in Britain, report finds

Interest in Christianity is increasing among young people in the United Kingdom, according to data from a report published by the Bible Society. Participation in religious life among those aged 18 to 24 has increased fourfold over the past six years. The report highlights that this growing interest is particularly visible among young people from…

Jan 13, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Bishop marks one year in office as Church life expands in Ireland

His Grace Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland marked on Sunday one year since his enthronement as head of the diocese, an occasion that highlighted the expansion of Romanian Orthodox church life in Ireland. The Bishop of Ireland and Iceland celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Parish of “Saint Columba and the Holy Great Martyr…

Jan 13, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church voices strong opposition to proposal to legalise prostitution

The Romanian Patriarchate expresses deep concern and disapproval regarding an initiative aimed at legalising prostitution, considering such an approach incompatible with Orthodox Christian teaching and with respect for human dignity. Prostitution represents a serious form of exploitation and commercialisation of the human body for financial gain, with profound negative consequences for both the individual and…

Jan 13, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania has EU’s largest diaspora as millions seek work abroad, Church becomes anchor for communities

Romania is the European Union country with the largest number of citizens living outside its borders. More than 3 million Romanians reside legally in EU member states, according to Eurostat data. The real number is higher, however, given that not all Romanians in the diaspora appear in official statistics, especially those who have acquired citizenship…

Jan 13, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel explains the link between Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan and Christian baptism

On the Feast of the Theophany of the Lord, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel delivered a comprehensive and deeply theological sermon on the mystery of Christ’s Baptism in the River Jordan and its direct and living connection to the baptism of every Christian. Rooted in Holy Scripture and the patristic tradition of the Orthodox Church, the…

Jan 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate envoy meets Jerusalem Patriarch, presents Centennial distinction

The Very Rev. Archimandrite Ioan Meiu, Representative of the Romanian Patriarchate to the Holy Places and Superior of the Romanian Orthodox establishments in Jerusalem, Jericho, and the Jordan Valley, met late last year with His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem. On behalf of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, the archimandrite presented Patriarch Theophilos with a…

Jan 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Banat Metropolitan marks name day with psychiatric patients, lays foundation stone for hospital church

Metropolitan Ioan of Banat marked his patronal feast last week alongside patients at the Psychiatric Hospital and Security Measures Facility in Jebel, where he also laid the foundation stone for a new church. On Wednesday, January 7, His Eminence brought the patients more than 300 items of clothing, food, and other essential goods needed for…

Jan 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

One year since enthronement of first Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Ireland and Iceland

On Sunday, one year was marked since the enthronement of His Grace Bishop Nectarie as the first Romanian Orthodox bishop of Ireland and Iceland. The date also coincides with the hierarch’s birthday. He was born on January 11, 1980, in Vălenii de Munte, Prahova County, to his parents, Ion and Anișoara Petre. At his baptism,…

Jan 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Digital Matericon: Women Saints of January (I)

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has declared the year 2026 the Commemorative Year of the Holy Women in the Church calendar. Accordingly, we invite you to discover each month the faces of holy women—mothers, wives, nuns, and martyrs—who are models of the Christian life from all ages. Saint Emilia, mother of Saint…

Jan 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel proclaims Solemn and Commemorative Year 2026, highlights Church’s role in strengthening the Christian family

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel offered a New Year’s message on January 1, following the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, during a solemn ceremony marking the proclamation of 2026 as the Solemn Year of the Pastoral Care of the Christian Family and the Commemorative Year of the Holy Women of the Church calendar…

Jan 5, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu