Aurelian 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

Romanian Bishop warns technology threatens young people’s freedom

“Purity of heart is difficult to preserve in this world — but not impossible,” said Bishop Damaschin of Dorna, Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți, in an interview with Lumina Newspaper about the challenges facing young people in contemporary society. He stressed that, despite the overwhelming flood of digital stimuli and temptations…

Dec 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop: National unity “most precious symbol” of Romanian people’s dignity

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia said on Monday at the National Cathedral in Bucharest that “the Great Union was not the result of a spontaneous event but an ideal fulfilled through many sacrifices, carefully prepared and long awaited.” In his address during the Te Deum service for Romania’s National Day at the Romanian People’s…

Dec 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch attends patronal feast of St Andrew at National Cathedral

The Feast Day of Saint Andrew the First-Called, Patron Saint of Romania and of the National Cathedral, was celebrated last Sunday with a spiritual programme at the new Patriarchal Cathedral. The celebration began with the services of Midnight Office, Matins and the Hours, followed by the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Auxiliary Bishops Varlaam of Ploiești,…

Dec 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania marks Centenary of Theologian and Archimandrite Andrei Scrima, key figure of the “Burning Bush” hesychast movement

Archimandrite Andrei Scrima, a leading figure of the “Burning Bush” hesychast movement, was born 100 years ago on 1 December 1925 in Gheorgheni, Harghita County. He studied in Bucharest, following an extensive intellectual path that included mathematics, philosophy and theology. Scrima became the assistant of philosopher Anton Dumitriu, through whom he encountered the “Burning Bush”…

Dec 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Teofan pays tribute to Romanian heroes at Iași National Day ceremony

Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina took part on Monday in Romania’s National Day celebrations held in Iași. In his remarks, the Metropolitan recalled the supreme sacrifice made by Romanian soldiers, as well as the role of the political and intellectual elite who committed themselves to fulfilling this historic national ideal. “One hundred and seven…

Dec 4, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu