Diaspora

Romanian Bishop warns Cross offers no magical protection without Gospel life

His Grace Assistant Bishop Teofil of Iberia of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Spain and Portugal warned on Sunday that the Holy Cross does not offer a magical protection if a Christian’s life contradicts the Gospel. He delivered a sermon during the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Cross Parish, Alcalá del Júcar – Casas-Ibáñez in…

Mar 17, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanians lay foundation for wooden church at Japan’s first Orthodox cemetery

Members of the Romanian Orthodox Parish of Tokyo have begun building a wooden church in Maramureș style in Minami-Alps, Yamanashi Prefecture, after purchasing land and establishing the first Orthodox cemetery in Japan at the site. The foundation stone was blessed at the end of last week. The service was officiated by the parish priest, Daniel…

Mar 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Swedish deacon ordained to the priesthood in Romanian Orthodox parish in Sweden

Bishop Macarie Drăgoi of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe ordained Swedish deacon Serafim Lundqvist to the priesthood on Sunday during the Divine Liturgy at the parish of Sts Theodore the Viking Martyr and his son John, in Leksand, Sweden. Fr Serafim Lundqvist said the moment of his ordination was both a great blessing…

Mar 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

First Romanian-built Orthodox church in Italy marks patronal feast in Moncalieri

The Romanian Orthodox Church in Moncalieri—the first church built by Romanians on Italian soil—celebrated its patronal feast with a series of liturgical events held on Sunday and Monday. Archimandrite Maxim Drăguț from the Episcopal Chapel “Exaltation of the Holy Cross” in Turin celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday together with Fr Marius Floricu, dean of…

Mar 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Two Mexicans baptised into Orthodoxy at Romanian parish in Cancun

Two young Mexicans were baptised Orthodox at the Church of St Joseph the Confessor in Cancun, marking a first for the Romanian Orthodox mission in the city. The service took place last Saturday during the pastoral visit of Fr Daniel Ene, vicar of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas, who served last weekend both…

Mar 6, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox priest in Corby balances parish ministry with construction work

Father Nicolae Bulat combines weekend pastoral ministry with building site work during the week. He serves the parish of St Joseph the Merciful in Corby, UK, which brings together Romanian and Moldovan communities living in the area. The priest told Basilica.ro that the experience helps him better understand the lives and challenges faced by Romanians…

Mar 6, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian parish in Leeds approved to establish first Romanian Orthodox cemetery in England

The Romanian Orthodox parish “Saint Macarius the Great” in Leeds has received official approval from local authorities to establish the first Romanian Orthodox cemetery in England. The cemetery is located at Upper & Lower Wortley Cemetery. It lies near the parish church. Additionally, it includes a section designated for the Romanian community with approximately 200…

Mar 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s Foreign Ministry launches task force to boost Romanian language promotion abroad

Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) last Thursday hosted the first meeting of an inter-institutional working group aimed at enhancing cooperation in promoting the Romanian language among diaspora communities and historical Romanian minorities abroad. According to a ministry press release, the group seeks to improve coordination among institutions responsible for the study and promotion of…

Mar 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

March for Moms: Young people in US and Canada walk and run in support of mothers in need

Young people in the United States and Canada, aged between 17 and 30, are invited to the “March for Moms,” a charitable walk-and-run organized by the Association of Romanian Orthodox Youth in the Americas (ROYA) for the benefit of mothers in need. The event will be held throughout March. The organizers aim to reach the threshold of…

Feb 27, 2026Ștefana Totorcea

Romanian priest in Italy reflects on growth of Forlì parish and diaspora identity

Fr Florin Haniș, parish priest of the Romanian Orthodox community in Forlì, Italy, spoke in an interview with the Romanian publication Formula AS about the beginnings and development of the Romanian community in the Emilia-Romagna region. “The Romanian Orthodox Parish of Saint Gregory the Theologian in Forlì, Emilia-Romagna, was born only around 2006, after we…

Feb 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Atanasie addresses London Police, says faith ‘supports and ennobles public service’

The Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain and Northern Ireland addressed London police officers on Monday during the event “Orthodox Easter 2026,” stressing that for Orthodox Christians, “faith is not separate from public service, but supports and ennobles it.” The event took place at the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service (New Scotland Yard). Among…

Feb 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu