Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Bishop baptises Norwegian convert and newborn in Arctic Norway

Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe celebrated the Mystery of Holy Baptism on Sunday for a 22-year-old Norwegian man and his newborn daughter. The service took place at the Romanian Orthodox church on the island of Skjervøya, in northern Norway. The church is dedicated to Saints Leontius of Rădăuți, Jacob of Putna, and Pachomius of Gledin.…

Jan 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Anastasios of Albania prayerfully remembered at Tirana Cathedral one year after his passing

Archbishop Anastasios of Albania was prayerfully remembered on Sunday at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tirana, one year after his passing. The memorial service was led by the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church, Archbishop John, together with members of the Holy Synod. Archbishop John stressed that the annual commemoration is a…

Jan 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Nectarie joins patronal feast of Limerick parish in Ireland

His Grace Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland joined the faithful of the Romanian Parish of Limerick, Ireland, for the community’s patronal feast on Sunday. The occasion also marked Bishop Nectarie’s first pastoral and liturgical visit to this parish. The festive day marked not only the meeting of the local community with its bishop but…

Jan 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Short biographies of Romanian Orthodox bishops who aided Jews during the Holocaust, 1941–1944

In observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, historian Dr George Enache presents a collection of short biographies documenting Romanian Orthodox bishops who supported and protected Jewish communities during the Holocaust, 1941–1944. Dr George Enache is a Professor at the Faculty of History, Philosophy, and Theology of the University of Lower Danube in Galați, Romania. Rooted…

Jan 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel urges unity and social peace on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Patriarch Daniel has issued a strong message calling for unity, social peace and the defence of human dignity as a representative of the Romanian Orthodox Church took part in ceremonies marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the commemoration of the anti-Jewish pogrom in Bucharest on Monday. The Patriarch underlined that authentic social harmony can only…

Jan 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Southern Bessarabia Diocese reports baptism growth and stronger youth engagement in 2025

The Diocese of Southern Bessarabia recorded visible pastoral growth throughout 2025, alongside greater involvement of young people in diocesan life. Figures in the diocese’s annual activity report point to an encouraging development: 889 baptisms, 350 weddings and 870 funerals were recorded, with the number of those entering the Church through the Sacrament of Baptism exceeding…

Jan 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian physicist cites St Gregory Palamas in reflection on science and faith

Physicist Cristian Presură reflected on the relationship between science and faith in a Facebook post, starting from a definition of scientific knowledge formulated by St Gregory Palamas: “It is the most beautiful definition of science that I know, and the finest praise that can be given to it.” The researcher begins with a passage by…

Jan 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel presents Bucharest Archdiocese 2025 activity report

Romanian Patriarch Daniel presented the general report on the Bucharest Archdiocese’s activities in 2025 during the annual meeting of the Archdiocesan Assembly on Thursday, January 22. The event opened with a Te Deum service celebrated by the Archdiocese’s Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova, in the Europa Christiana Hall of the Patriarchal Palace. Patriarch Daniel delivered…

Jan 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Southern Bessarabia Diocese sends 44 tonnes of aid to war-hit Ukrainians, 2025 report says

The Diocese of Southern Bessarabia supported Romanians in Ukraine affected by the war by delivering dozens of tonnes of humanitarian aid as part of a wide-ranging social and charitable campaign, according to its 2025 activity report. With the direct involvement of priests from the Ismail Deanery, humanitarian assistance was provided to the two Romanian parishes…

Jan 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel marks 1859 Union of Romanian Principalities as foundation of modern state

Marking the anniversary of the 24 January 1859 Union of the Romanian Principalities, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church issued a message of thanksgiving and national remembrance, describing the event as the “foundational union” that laid the groundwork for the modern Romanian state. In his statement, the Patriarch stressed that the union of Moldavia…

Jan 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia Metropolitan marks Romanian Principalities Union Day, hopes “brothers will live together again”

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia expressed hope that “brothers will live together again” in a message issued on the occasion of the Day of the Union of the Romanian Principalities. According to Metropolitan Petru, the day represents “a work of divine Providence through which history was set on the natural path of unity”. “24…

Jan 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu