Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania to hold nationwide memorial services for 1989 Revolution victims

To mark the 36th anniversary of the Romanian Revolution of December 1989, a series of memorial services will be held on December 20-22, 2025, in remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives for the dignity, freedom and faith of the Romanian people. A central memorial service for the heroes of the Revolution will be held…

Dec 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Rare Early Christian ‘Good Shepherd’ fresco found in ancient Nicaea tomb

A rare depiction of Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” has been uncovered in a chamber tomb in the Hisardere Necropolis in the ancient city of Nicaea (modern-day Iznik), in Turkey’s Bursa province, Turkiye Today reported. Researchers consider the scene to be the only known example of its kind identified so far in Anatolia, describing it…

Dec 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel elevates 30 clergy: Ministry in the Church is a form of martyrdom

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel elevated 30 clergy to higher ecclesiastical ranks, stressing the responsibility and demands of clerical ministry. “This ministry in the Church is a form of martyrdom — to be honourable, to be correct and to be diligent,” the Patriarch said. Speaking during the ceremony held at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest last…

Dec 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox community forms new parish in Kilkenny, Ireland

A new Romanian Orthodox parish is being formed in Kilkenny, Ireland. The parish will be dedicated to Saint Arsenius (Boca) of Prislop and Saint Cainnech of Aghaboe (Kenneth), one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland celebrated the Divine Liturgy on December 7 with the Romanian community in Kilkenny. Before…

Dec 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch marks 50 years of Jewish–Orthodox dialogue: We encounter one another in a field of learning, trust, and hope

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I said on the occasion of 50 years of dialogue between Judaism and Orthodox Christianity that relations between the two religious traditions are built in a space of learning, trust and hope. Speaking on December 8 at the opening of the 12th International Academic Consultation between Judaism and Orthodox Christianity, the Patriarch…

Dec 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Christian and Muslim leaders mark 10 years of Aqaba Process at Jordan Conference

Christian and Muslim religious leaders from the Balkans and the Middle East gathered last week in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to mark the 10th anniversary of the Aqaba Process, an international initiative aimed at promoting interreligious dialogue and peaceful coexistence. The international conference, titled “The Aqaba Process – Balkan Interreligious Dialogue,” was held on…

Dec 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch warns worldly concerns can block call to salvation

Romanian Patriarch Daniel attended the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the historic Chapel of Saint George at the Patriarchal Residence, where he warned that worldly concerns can become obstacles to responding to God’s call to salvation. In his homily, the Patriarch of Romania reflected on the Parable of the Great Banquet from the Gospel reading…

Dec 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel receives German ambassador for introductory visit, highlights Romanian diaspora presence in Germany

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel received on Friday, December 12, 2025, the Ambassador of Germany to Romania, H.E. Angela Ganninger, for an introductory visit at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest. The ambassador was accompanied by Theresa von Saldern, Director of the Cultural Affairs Department at the German Embassy in Bucharest. Patriarch Daniel welcomed Ambassador Ganninger to…

Dec 12, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox priest in Tokyo reflects on joys and challenges of ministry in Japan

In an interview with Formula AS magazine, Father Daniel Corîu spoke about the joys, difficulties and unexpected collaborations that accompany his pastoral mission in Japan. Father Corîu has served in Japan for 12 years, ministering to around 200 families, most of them Romanian–Japanese. He is the only Romanian Orthodox priest in the country, after the…

Dec 9, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Bishop Timotei opens new community centre in Spain for diaspora families

His Grace Bishop Timotei of Spain and Portugal inaugurated last Friday a new socio-educational centre for the Romanian community in Torrent, a town located 7 kilometres from Valencia. He was joined in the service by Father Vasile Pop, diocesan advisor for education and youth activities, and by Archdeacon Spiridon Burlacu, diocesan advisor for economic affairs.…

Dec 9, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Moldovan Defence Minister and Metropolitan Petru discuss 2026 cooperation plans

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia met last week in Chișinău with the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Moldova, Anatolie Nosatîi, to define the priorities for cooperation for 2026. The meeting took place on Wednesday, December 3, as part of the collaboration agreement signed by the two institutions in 2023. The discussions focused…

Dec 8, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu