Diaspora

4,750 baptisms and expanding parishes: Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy thrives in 2024

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy concluded 2024 with an intensive pastoral effort, reflected in the remarkable number of religious services conducted across its 295 parishes. Over the year, the diocese recorded 4,750 baptisms, 167 conversions or re-conversions to Orthodoxy, 1,171 weddings, and 393 funerals. These figures underscore both the vibrancy of the Romanian Orthodox…

Feb 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian community restores church near Paris in historic Van Gogh village

Eight years after being acquired by the Romanian Orthodox community, the Church of Saint Anthimos the Iberian in Auvers-sur-Oise, a commune 30 km from Paris, is undergoing extensive restoration. Currently, restoration efforts focus on the interior frescoes and the renovation of the courtyard. Ongoing Restoration Efforts Shortly after its acquisition, the church was adapted to…

Feb 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox community in Ireland honours Saint Brigid of Kildare with liturgy and pilgrimage

On Saturday, the Romanian Orthodox faithful from “The Descent of the Holy Spirit and Saint Colman” Parish in Newbridge, Ireland, celebrated Saint Brigid of Kildare, one of Ireland’s patron saints. The community was honoured by the presence of His Grace Bishop Nectarie, the recently enthroned Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Ireland and Iceland, who presided over…

Feb 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas visits Dacula, Georgia, to celebrate 25 years of service by local clergy

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Two Americas visited Dacula, Georgia, on January 25–26, where the Romanian Orthodox community celebrated their shepherds: Parish Priest Nicolae Clempuș and Father David Hudson, who marked 25 years of service. The visit began on Saturday evening with the Great Vespers, followed by a sermon delivered by Metropolitan Nicolae. His…

Jan 31, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand convenes annual Assembly in Melbourne

The “Lifegiving Spring” Monastery in Melbourne hosted the annual meeting of the Diocesan Assembly of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand last weekend. On Saturday, Bishop Mihail led the clergy of the two deaneries in celebrating the Divine Liturgy and a Te Deum service to celebrate the Union of the Romanian Principalities.…

Jan 31, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy gains official status in Italy

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy is officially being recognized as a religion in Italy. Alfredo Mantovano, Undersecretary of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, and Bishop Siluan signed the agreement on Monday at the Government State Office in Rome. The proposed law will now be presented to the Italian Parliament for approval. Key…

Jan 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Spain, Portugal announces €147,000 in aid for 2024, mainly for flood victims

The Assembly of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Spain and Portugal convened on Tuesday at the Diocesan Center in Madrid, where activity reports for the year 2024 were presented. The event began with the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by His Grace Bishop Timotei of Spain and Portugal, followed by a Te Deum service conducted by His…

Jan 23, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

UK’s Romanian Archbishop-elect officiates Vespers in Italian at St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica

On Monday, the newly elected Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland officiated the Vespers service in Italian at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, where the tomb of St. Paul the Apostle is located. Numerous Romanian clerics from the Lazio region were part of the clergy assembly. At the…

Jan 23, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Community in Cyprus holds Vasilopita cutting tradition: An act of communion

The Romanian community in Cyprus held its annual Vasilopita cutting event, a local tradition dedicated to honouring Saint Basil the Great. The event was organized last week at the headquarters of the Romanian Alliance in Cyprus. Father Petre Matei, the priest of the Romanian Orthodox community in Cyprus, conducted the service preceding the cutting of…

Jan 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Parish in Sydney to build St. Callinicus Cultural and Missionary Centre

The Parish Council of the Romanian Orthodox Parish “Saint Mary” in Sydney has decided to begin construction on the Cultural, Missionary, and Social Centre “Saint Callinicus of Cernica” in Sydney, Australia. The announcement was made on Saturday during a parish meeting attended by Bishop Mihail of Australia and New Zealand. His Grace was briefed on…

Jan 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanians in Zagreb begin the New Year united in prayer during the Epiphany Season

During the Epiphany season, Romanians in Zagreb gathered in prayer to usher in the New Year at the city’s Romanian church. The liturgical program began last Saturday evening with the Great Vespers service and continued on Sunday through Tuesday with the Divine Liturgy. Following Sunday’s Liturgy, Fr. Nicolae Ceruță, the parish priest of the Romanian…

Jan 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu