Aurelian Iftimiu

Lebanon Metropolis publishes tribute album for Saint Sofian of Antim, Bucharest’s Apostle

The Metropolis of Byblos, Botris, and Mount Lebanon (Patriarchate of Antioch) has published a commemorative album dedicated to Saint Sofian of Antim, who painted the Church of Saint George at Deir el-Harf Monastery, near Broummana in eastern Lebanon. The volume, printed in English, includes previously unpublished photographs of Saint Sofian of Antim and serves as…

Sep 29, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Bishop consecrates new church for Melbourne suburb community

His Grace Bishop Mihail, head of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, consecrated on Sunday, Sept. 21, the new church of the Romanian Orthodox community in Narre Warren North – Dandenong, a suburb located about 40 kilometres southeast of Melbourne, Australia. The Romanian hierarch was joined in the service by His Grace…

Sep 29, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Siluan of Hungary honours Saint Anthimos the Iberian as “great gift of God for Romanian people” at monastery patronal feast

“A great gift from the Good God, like Saint Sofian, we can say was granted to us this time from another Orthodox country, even from another nation, being Georgian,” said Bishop Siluan of Hungary on Saturday about Saint Anthimos the Iberian. His Grace celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Antim Monastery on the feast of Saint…

Sep 29, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church to hold first National Conference of Hospital Chaplains

The Pastoral and Missionary Centre “Saint Andrew Șaguna” of the Archdiocese of Sibiu will host the first national conference of hospital chaplains from September 22 to September 24, 2025. The event will be attended by Patriarchal Counsellor Father Ciprian Ioniță, coordinator of the Social-Philanthropic Department of the Patriarchal Administration; Father Alin Nica, coordinator of hospital…

Sep 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Antiochian delegation visits Romanian Patriarchate as Saint Sofian of Antim is locally canonized

A delegation of the Patriarchate of Antioch visited the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest on Monday, Sept. 15, where they were received by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, general secretary of the Holy Synod. The delegation included Metropolitan Silouan of Byblos and Botris from the Archdiocese of Mount Lebanon, together with Father Daniel Bedran, a…

Sep 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Nectarie blesses former Anglican church as new Orthodox Cathedral in Dublin

Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland blessed the new Diocesan Cathedral in Dublin during a ceremony held on Saturday, Sept. 13. The Christ Church in Leeson Park was purchased by the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Ireland and Iceland with support from the Department for Romanians Abroad and hundreds of Romanian donors. The church, which previously…

Sep 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Metropolitan blesses Embassy in Colombia, meets with Orthodox leaders

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas blessed the headquarters of the Romanian Embassy in the Republic of Colombia on Monday, Sept. 16. The event took place during the Metropolitan’s visit to Latin America and on the occasion of the completion of renovation works at the embassy in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. His Eminence…

Sep 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Local canonization of Saint Sofian of Antim: He shone in Romania’s capital through his love and gentleness

The local proclamation of the canonization of Saint Sofian took place on Tuesday at Antim Monastery in Bucharest. On this occasion, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at an outdoor altar arranged in the courtyard of the monastery. The service was led by Archbishop Casian of the Lower Danube, together with Metropolitan Silouan of Byblos, Botris…

Sep 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Saint Sofian remembered as confessor, hesychast and iconographer at local canonization ceremony

The Romanian Orthodox Church celebrated on Tuesday the local proclamation of the canonization of Saint Sofian of Antim, a confessor of the faith during communist persecution, a hesychast spiritual father, and iconographer. On this occasion, Patriarch Daniel addressed the faithful with a special message, recalling the life and legacy of the new saint, whom Saint…

Sep 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Vigil service for Saint Sofian of Antim. Bishop Varlaam: God has blessed us with a Saint from our times

On Monday evening, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești officiated the all-night vigil for Saint Sofian the Confessor of Antim, ahead of the local proclamation of his canonisation. In his homily, Bishop Varlaam emphasised the joy of honouring “a saint from our own days,” known personally to many faithful in Bucharest and beyond.…

Sep 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel blesses reliquary ahead of local canonisation ceremony of Saint Sofian of Antim

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel blessed on Saturday the reliquary that will hold the relics of Saint Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery. The blessing service was officiated in the historic Chapel of Saint George the Great Martyr of the Patriarchal Residence, three days before the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Sofian the Confessor. On…

Sep 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu