Diaspora

Metropolitan Serafim of Germany highlights spiritual and cultural struggles of Romanian migrants

His Eminence Metropolitan Serafim of Germany, Central, and Northern Europe spoke on Sunday about the sufferings of Romanian migrants, constantly living with the longing for what they left behind at home: “abroad, they live with a profound, bitter longing for their nation, their country, and their families; a longing that often consumes them, making them…

Aug 21, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Reconstruction begins for Romanian Church in Boian, Alberta after devastating fire

The Romanian church in the town of Boian, Alberta, Canada, is being rebuilt after it was completely destroyed by fire in mid-2022. A year and two months after the tragic loss, Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada visited the community to bless the foundation stone of the future church. The ceremony took place on the first…

Aug 20, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian priest in Valletta meets with Malta’s President, extends invitation for parish 10th anniversary

Father Alexandru-George Popescu, the parish priest of the Romanian Orthodox community in Valletta, was received on August 7 by Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono, the President of Malta, at the San Anton Presidential Palace. The President graciously accepted the invitation to attend the ten-year anniversary of the Romanian Orthodox Parish in Valletta, which will be…

Aug 13, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

New Romanian priest installed at St. Demetrios Parish in Brisbane

On Sunday, July 28, His Grace Bishop Mihail, the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Australia and New Zealand, presided over the installation ceremony of Father Mihai Suciu, the new parish priest of St. Demetrios Parish in Brisbane. Father Mihai Suciu, who was ordained earlier this year, comes to the Brisbane community from New Zealand and brings…

Aug 2, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas on the Dormition Fast: History, practices, and spiritual significance

At the beginning of the Dormition Fast, Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas published a message describing the history and characteristics of this fasting season, which he described as the “appropriate time to read the Supplicatory Canon to the Mother of God and fervently ask for her help and protection.” His Eminence recalled that the Dormition…

Aug 1, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Increase in Orthodox Conversions in the USA: 2022-2023 trends

A study published this month shows that the number of conversions to Orthodoxy increased in the U.S. from 2022 to 2023. Most converts are aged 30-39 and are unmarried, with the majority coming to Orthodoxy from Protestantism, the research indicates. The study, conducted by the Orthodox Studies Institute at St. Constantine College in Houston, covered…

Jul 31, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Deutsche Welle: 4 million Orthodox Christians in Germany, 900,000 are Romanian

“More and more Orthodox Christians in Germany” headlines Deutsche Welle, presenting a comprehensive overview of the phenomenon, the ethnic communities from which Orthodox Christians originate, and the opportunities they bring. The media often discuss the decline in membership of the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches. Still, it is rarely mentioned that the number of Orthodox…

Jul 26, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Japanese publication highlights resilient spirit of the Romanian Orthodox community in Tokyo

The Romanian Orthodox community in Tokyo was the subject of a feature article by the Japanese publication Shueisha Shinsho. The article particularly highlighted the ecclesiastical community’s life and its members’ strong national identity. The interviews and photos were made on Easter night in a quiet residential area in Fujimidai, Kunitachi city, Tokyo, where reporter Yasuda…

Jul 25, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Saints’ Sunday is not a day of national pride, bp Teofil of Iberia explains

“Romanian Saints’ Sunday is not a day of national pride to show that we are better than other Christian nations, but rather a day of holy joy to show what unites us with other nations, with whom we are called to bear witness to the glory of Christ’s Church,” emphasised His Grace Bishop Teofil of…

Jul 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

First Orthodox monastery on Scottish Islands in 1,000 years consecrated on the Isle of Mull

On Sunday, His Grace Assistant Bishop Atanasie of Bogdania officiated the consecration service for the “All Celtic Saints” Monastery in Kilninian, on the Isle of Mull. This is the first Orthodox monastic establishment inaugurated on the Scottish islands in the last 1,000 years. The service, conducted with the blessing of Metropolitan Iosif of Western and…

Jul 8, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Completion of significant phase of fresco painting at Romanian Orthodox Cathedral in Madrid announced

The Diocese of Spain and Portugal announced in a statement published on the diocesan website that an essential phase of the painting work has recently been completed at the Romanian Orthodox Cathedral in Madrid. So far, the team coordinated by Archdeacon Nicolae Bradu Balan, a church painter from Alba Iulia, has completed over 430 of…

Jul 4, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu