Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești urges students to seek spiritual growth at start of school year

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, where he spoke to the faithful about the Gospel of the rich young man, who, after his encounter with Christ, became His disciple. “It is no coincidence that today’s Gospel is read at the beginning of the…

Sep 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

UK Archbishop Atanasie urges faithful to sanctify time at start of church year

“Every moment of our lives is an opportunity to turn our thoughts to God and to transform our earthly time from wasted time into the time of eternity,” Archbishop Atanasie, head of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, noted in his message for the New Church Year. In a statement published…

Sep 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia urges responsibility as Republic of Moldova begins new school year

At the start of the new academic year in the Republic of Moldova, Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia issued a message calling for responsibility, maturity, and building life on strong foundations. In his message, he recalled that the first Romanian schools were born in the porch of the Church, where people always understood that education and…

Sep 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarchate canonises two Romanian Elders from Mount Athos

The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, meeting in Constantinople on August 30–31, the final two days of the church year, decided to canonise two Romanian elders of Mount Athos: hieroschemamonk Dionisie (Ignat) of Colciu and archimandrite Petroniu (Tănase) of Prodromos Skete. The feast day of Saint Dionysius of Vatopedi (the “St. George” Cell, where…

Sep 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia marks 35 years since episcopal ordination

On the first day of the new church year, Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia, Archbishop of Chișinău and Exarch of the Territories, celebrated 35 years since his episcopal ordination. Elected Bishop of Bălți, he received episcopal ordination on September 1, 1990, at the Cathedral in Chișinău. Extensive service and ministry Metropolitan Petru was born on October…

Sep 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Albania inaugurates first monumental statue of Christ in Albanian Alps

Albania has unveiled its first monumental statue of Jesus Christ, inaugurated recently at one of the most scenic points of the Albanian Alps, in the Nikaj-Mërtur Natural Park in the Tropojë region. The statue depicts Christ with outstretched arms, reminiscent of the famous “Christ the Redeemer” statue in Rio de Janeiro, according to JOQ Albania.…

Aug 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch Daniel meets U.S. Presidential Envoy Paolo Zampolli in Bucharest

Romanian Patriarch Daniel met on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, with Ambassador Paolo Zampolli, the U.S. President’s Special Envoy for Global Partnerships, during a visit to the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest. Patriarch Daniel welcomed Ambassador Zampolli to the Romanian Patriarchate and expressed appreciation for the fact that U.S. President Donald Trump is a protector and promoter…

Aug 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Wooden church for Japan’s first Orthodox cemetery ready, funds needed for transport

Romanian Orthodox faithful in Japan, after acquiring a plot for Christian burials, have also commissioned the construction of a small wooden church in the Maramureș architectural style. Built in Romania, the church is now awaiting shipment to Japan, with fundraising underway to cover transport costs. “This is the wooden church that will serve the Orthodox…

Aug 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia calls for faith and unity in Republic of Moldova’s Independence Day message

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia, Exarch of the Territories, marked the Republic of Moldova’s Independence Day on Wednesday with a message urging the faithful to protect freedom through faith, unity, and sacrifice. “On this national holiday, when we celebrate the proclamation of the independence of the Republic of Moldova, we give thanks to God…

Aug 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Great-grandniece of Romanian Confessor Saint creates icon for National Cathedral

The mosaic portrait of Saint Elijah Lăcătușu, a newly canonised Romanian Confessor Priest of the 20th century, that will be placed inside Romania’s National Cathedral, was created by the Saint’s great-grandniece, Andreea Daria Guran. “This gesture is at once a gift from today’s generation to that of yesterday, and a testimony that holiness is not…

Aug 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Benedict says enemies should be first remembered in prayer

Bishop Benedict of Sălaj officiated the re-consecration of the parish church in Boian, Șimleu Silvaniei Deanery, on Sunday, where he spoke about the transformative power of forgiveness. “Your enemy should be the first name you sincerely mention in prayer before God. God has His divine pedagogy,” the bishop said. He explained that it is difficult…

Aug 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu