Aurelian Iftimiu

First Orthodox saints to have lived in the 21st century are all Romanian

Amid the rush of daily life, you may have missed an interesting piece of information: Did you know that the first five Orthodox saints who lived in the 21st century and have since been canonised are all Romanian? The list includes Saint Sofian of Antim, Saint Dionysius of Colciu, Saint Petronius the Prodromite, Saint Antonina…

Nov 26, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s National Cathedral announces liturgical schedule for St Andrew’s feast and National Day

On the feast of Saint Andrew the First-Called, Protector of Romania and of the National Cathedral (November 30), and on Romania’s National Day (December 1), the services at the National Cathedral will take place according to the following schedule: On 30 November 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., the Midnight Office, Matins and the…

Nov 26, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox bishop condemns violence against women, urges respect and responsibility

Bishop Benedict of Sălaj issued a firm message on Tuesday for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: “We state clearly: No to violence!” His Grace stressed that “the Church is attentive to the suffering of the world and especially to the silent and hidden suffering of many women, whether in families…

Nov 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian academics urge “authenticity” and discernment amid rapid rise of artificial intelligence

A conference on artificial intelligence was held last week at the PRECIS Centre of the Faculty of Automatic Control and Computers at the National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest. On this occasion, Professor Adrian Lemeni from the “Patriarch Justinian” Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest spoke about the courage to embrace authenticity in…

Nov 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s Ukrainian Union marks 35th anniversary with Parliament event, prayers for war victims

The Palace of the Parliament hosted, on 19–20 November, the anniversary event “35 Years Since the Establishment of the Union of Ukrainians in Romania”. Religious leaders of Ukrainians in Romania, MPs, and members of the Ukrainian community in the country took part. The event opened with a solemn moment of prayer and commemoration for the…

Nov 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel launches youth centre project in Bucharest, calls for stronger partnership in children’s education

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel addressed participants on Thursday, November 20, at the Palace of the Patriarchate, during the official launch of the new “Saint Elijah the Tishbite” National Youth Activity Centre project — a major initiative co-financed through European funds. In his message, the Patriarch highlighted the Church’s long-standing commitment to education and the formation…

Nov 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel hails Romanian youth volunteers as “living witnesses of Christ’s love” at Bucharest gala

Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church praised the commitment of hundreds of young volunteers during the Gala of the “Youth in Action” programme, held last Tuesday, November 18, in Bucharest, in the context of the Centennial Year of the Romanian Patriarchate. His message highlighted the spiritual depth of Christian volunteering, describing it as “lived…

Nov 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel praises active ageing as “treasure of wisdom and spiritual communication” at Bucharest congress

Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church sent a message to the third edition of the National Congress for Active Ageing, held on Monday, 17 November, at the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest, highlighting the value of active and spiritually rooted ageing in contemporary society. The message, emphasising the dignity of senior citizens and…

Nov 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian immigration drives growth of Orthodox Christianity in France, study finds

Romanian immigration over the last 14 years has been a driving force in the growth of Orthodoxy in France. This is the conclusion of a study conducted by Father Jivko Panev and recently published on the website Orthodoxie.com. Between 2010 and 2024, the number of places of worship owned by Romanian Orthodox parishes in France…

Nov 24, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

WCC Executive Committee member, Hon Metropolitan Nifon marks 40 years as bishop

His Eminence Archbishop Nifon of Târgoviște, Honorary Metropolitan, Patriarchal Exarch, and a member of the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches, marks on Monday the 40th anniversary of his episcopal ordination. His Eminence Hon Metropolitan Nifon was born on 5 January 1944 in the village of Crețești-Vidra, Giurgiu County, to Anghel and Maria Mihăiță,…

Nov 24, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Relic of Saint Jacob of Putna to be venerated in Denmark for first time

A particle of the relics of Saint Jacob of Putna, Metropolitan of Moldavia, will be brought for veneration for the first time in Denmark, in Copenhagen, between November 22-24. The delegation from Putna Monastery will be led by Archimandrite Melchisedec Velnic, the monastery’s abbot, and the holy relic will be received on Saturday at 19:00…

Nov 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu