Diaspora

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

Romanians in Shanghai attend inaugural Divine Liturgy celebrated in their native language on Chinese soil

On May 26, Romanians in Shanghai participated in the first Divine Liturgy celebrated in their native language on Chinese soil, held at the General Consulate of Romania in Shanghai. The service was officiated by Fr. Constantin Prihoancă, a cleric of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Germany, Central and Northern Europe, who was on a missionary…

Jun 19, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Diocese of Canada receives relic of Saint Callinicus of Cernica

Having the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada has received a particle of the relics of Saint Callinicus of Cernica, Bishop of Râmnic.  The relic was accompanied across the ocean by His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe, who was Patriarch Daniel’s delegate at the Fifth Congress…

Jun 11, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Serafim: Mission in the diaspora is truly apostolic

On the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Metropolis of Germany, Central and Northern Europe, His Eminence Metropolitan Serafim gave an interview to Deisis magazine, in which he spoke about the difficulties of pastoral work in the diaspora. Asked about the sacrifices made by priests in the diaspora, His Eminence said, “The mission in…

Jun 6, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Tokyo Romanian priest to inaugurate Japan’s first Orthodox cemetery

Established in January in Yamanashi by the “Great Martyr George” Romanian Parish in Tokyo, the first Orthodox cemetery in Japan will be inaugurated on Saturday, May 25, when a blessing service will be officiated. The announcement was made on the Facebook page of the Romanian parish in Tokyo, a community under the care of Father Daniel…

May 23, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Nicolae highlights courage and joy of Myrrh-Bearing Women at Chicago Cathedral patronal feast

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas presided over the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Chicago. He highlighted the courage of the myrrh-bearing women and the joy with which they received the news of the Lord’s Resurrection. Although the patronal feast of Saints Constantine and his mother, Helen, is typically commemorated…

May 23, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

30th anniversary of Germany’s Romanian Orthodox Metropolis to be marked with special events in Munich

Two festive events will be organized in Munich next week to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Germany, Central and Northern Europe. On Thursday evening, May 30, Munich’s St. John the Baptist Church will be filled with the harmonious melodies of the National Opera’s Symphony Orchestra and the “Tronos” Byzantine Choir of the Patriarchal…

May 23, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu