Aurelian Iftimiu

Open Doors says persecution hits 388 mln Christians worldwide, families face growing pressure

According to the World Watch List 2026 report published by Open Doors, religious persecution targeting Christians has a direct impact on family life, with converts facing pressure, abuse and marginalisation even from their own relatives. The report points to a worsening of anti-Christian persecution worldwide, both in scale and intensity, with direct consequences for family…

Jan 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Digital Matericon: Women Saints of January (II)

This second January instalment of Digital Matericon continues our monthly series dedicated to the women saints commemorated in the Orthodox calendar. Because January contains an especially rich number of holy women—martyrs, monastics, ascetics, mothers, confessors, and “fools for Christ”—the month is presented in two parts, allowing each figure to be remembered with due attention. In…

Jan 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Egypt discovers Byzantine-era monastery remains in Sohag, shedding light on Upper Egypt monastic life

Recent archaeological excavations in Egypt’s southern Sohag governorate have uncovered traces of a Byzantine-period monastery, offering new insights into the organisation and daily life of monastic communities in Upper Egypt. Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathi, said the discovery reflects the richness of the country’s historical heritage and the diversity of its religious…

Jan 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabia’s Metropolitan Petru says Baptism is the seal of the Holy Spirit at Theophany service in Chisinau

Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia celebrated on Monday the Divine Liturgy and the Great Blessing of Waters at the Metropolitan Chapel of St John the Theologian in Chisinau, as believers in the Republic of Moldova mostly follow the unrevised Julian calendar. The service was held together with an assembly of clergy from the diocesan centre, on…

Jan 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Timotei says Christ’s peace runs deeper than worldly calm at ecumenical prayer service

“The peace the Lord offers is different from the peace we observe, or that is presented to us in various forms. It is not the apparent quiet of cemeteries, nor the fragile balance of powers that neutralise one another,” Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova said on Tuesday. The assistant bishop of the Archdiocese of Bucharest…

Jan 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian churches open Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Bucharest

The Week (Octave) of Prayer for Christian Unity opened on Monday at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Bucharest. Representing the Patriarch of Romania, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești attended the event, accompanied by Archimandrite Augustin Coman, Patriarchal Adviser in the Department for Christian Relations, Interreligious Affairs and Romanian Communities Abroad of…

Jan 21, 2026Aurelian 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