Anniversaries and commemorations

Remembering Priest Aurel Munteanu 85 years after his martyrdom

Eighty-five years ago, on 10 September 1940, Father Aurel Munteanu, the first dean (archpriest) of Huedin, reposed in the Lord after being, in the words of historian Mircea-Gheorghe Abrudan, “brutally killed by a group of chauvinistic Hungarians”, in the context of Northern Transylvania being ceded to Hungary under the Second Vienna Award of 30 August…

Sep 11, 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

Romanian Orthodox theologian Andrei Scrima remembered 25 years after his passing

This year marks 25 years since the repose of Archimandrite Andrei Scrima, a leading figure of the Romanian Hesychast movement “The Burning Bush”. Biographical landmarks Father Andrei Scrima was born in 1925 in Gheorgheni, Harghita County. He studied philosophy, mathematics and theology in Bucharest. Between 1957 and 1959, he was a doctoral student in Benares,…

Aug 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

91st anniversary of birth of Father Seraphim Rose, American monk and writer

Wednesday marks 91 years since the birth of the man who, at the age of 28, would receive Orthodox Baptism, and at 36, monastic tonsure. The young Eugene, as he was named by his parents, was born in San Diego, California. Gifted with exceptional intellectual ability, he spent his youth seeking the ultimate truth about…

Aug 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

WCC Executive Committee member, Metropolitan Nifon marks name day honouring Saint Niphon of Constantinople

Archbishop Nifon of Târgoviște, Honorary Metropolitan, Patriarchal Exarch, and a member of the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches, celebrates his name day on Monday, the feast of Saint Niphon, Patriarch of Constantinople, reflecting a distinguished ecclesiastical career marked by international representation, academic excellence, and decades of pastoral and missionary service. He was…

Aug 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch Daniel marks 38 years of monastic life

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church has marked 38 years since his monastic tonsure. The future Patriarch of Romania was tonsured a monk at Sihăstria Monastery on August 5-6, 1987, following the Vespers of the Feast of the Transfiguration. Saint Cleopas Ilie, canonized last year, blessed his decision, became his monastic godfather…

Aug 7, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Western & Southern Europe Metropolitan Iosif celebrates name day on feast of Saint Joseph of Arimathea

His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif, Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of Western and Southern Europe, celebrates his spiritual patron on Thursday, as the Church commemorates Saint Joseph of Arimathea, the nobleman who laid Christ’s body in the tomb. Metropolitan Iosif was born on February 19, 1966, in Vișeu de Jos, Maramureș County, Romania. He graduated from “Gheorghe Șincai”…

Jul 31, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Remembering Romania’s Patriarch Teoctist: 18 years after his passing

It has been eighteen years since Patriarch Teoctist of Romania passed away on July 30, 2007, at the age of 92. Born Toader Arăpașu on February 7, 1915, in the village of Tocileni, Botoșani County, he was the tenth child of Dumitru and Marghioala Arăpașu, raised in a large and devout Orthodox family. From a young…

Jul 30, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

100 years since Ecumenical Patriarchate endorsed Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate

A century ago, on July 30, 1925, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople issued the synodal tomos officially recognising the establishment of the Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate. This recognition affirmed the decision made by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church on February 4, 1925. Following canonical provisions, the decision of the Holy Synod was communicated…

Jul 30, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Disciple of Saints and heir to the legacy of Romanian Patriarchs: Patriarch Daniel turns 74

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel has celebrated his birthday on Tuesday. Exactly 74 years ago, in the village of Dobrești, Timiș County, western Romania, Dan-Ilie was born—the third child in the family of schoolteachers Alexie and Stela Ciobotea. His Beatitude once shared that he learned the value of work and faith from his parents, despite being…

Jul 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Assistant Bishop Sofian of Brașov marks 55th birthday, celebrated for cross-European ministry

His Grace Bishop Sofian of Brașov, the Assistant Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg, celebrated his 55th birthday on Tuesday. Born on July 22, 1970, in the village of Băcel, Covasna County, he was given the name Gheorghe at baptism. After completing his primary and secondary education, he attended Industrial…

Jul 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu