Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas urges faithful to sing to God through deeds, not words, in Christmas message

The Christmas exhortation of His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae, Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of the Americas, calls on the faithful to sing to the Lord not only with their voices, but above all through their deeds. In his pastoral letter for the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord, Metropolitan Nicolae Condrea brings to the fore the…

Dec 19, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Greek Orthodox Synod urges honouring of newly canonised Romanian Athonite saints

The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece has called on all metropolises across the country to honour four Athonite Elders of Romanian origin, canonised this year by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. According to a document issued on Monday in Athens, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople proclaimed the saints “in full accordance with the practice and…

Dec 19, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Romanian carols are a confession of the Incarnation of the Son of God

At the conclusion of the annual Christmas carol concert organised by the Romanian Patriarchate, held on Tuesday evening at the Palace of the Patriarchate, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church delivered a message reflecting on the theological, cultural and historical significance of the Romanian Christmas carol tradition. Addressing clergy, performers and the faithful gathered…

Dec 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s name day honours the prophet who showed that history rests in God’s hands

Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Daniel marks Wednesday the feast of one of his patron saints, the Prophet Daniel, revered in Christian tradition as a witness to the belief that world history rests in God’s hands. In this context, observers note that Patriarch Daniel has been the principal founder and driving force behind the construction of the…

Dec 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese joins UK faith network supporting prisoner reintegration

The Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has taken a significant step in strengthening its social mission by joining The Welcome Directory, a UK-based interfaith initiative dedicated to supporting the social reintegration of people released from prison. The Welcome Directory is a charitable organisation that connects former prisoners with welcoming and safe…

Dec 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Putna Monastery prays for Romanians killed in Ukraine war as numbers double in 2025

The Very Rev. Archimandrite Melchisedec Velnic, abbot of Putna Monastery, led a memorial service on Sunday together with his monastic community in remembrance of ethnic Romanians who have lost their lives in the war in Ukraine. While last year’s memorial listed 130 ethnic Romanians killed in the conflict, this year the number has risen significantly,…

Dec 15, 2025Aurelian 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