Diaspora

Australia’s Romanian Bishop 2023 Easter Encyclical: We are called to respond to God’s love by following Christ

His Grace Bishop Mihail, who heads the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, noted in his Easter encyclical that “we are called to respond to God’s love by following His Son Jesus Christ. Just as Christ’s humility was complete, so too the discipleship we humans must go through must be to the end,…

Apr 13, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Rejoice, be not afraid! Romanian Metropolitan of the Americas encourages spreading positive messages

In his pastoral letter for Holy Pascha 2023, Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas has urged the priests and faithful to preserve in their hearts and share positive messages with others: rejoice and be not afraid. Metropolitan Nicolae urged everyone to reflect on the experience of the Myrrh-bearing Women on the morning of the Resurrection and…

Apr 13, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanians travel hundreds of miles to attend services at first Orthodox community in Quito, Ecuador

At the beginning of April, responding to the request of Romanians from Ecuador, Fr Daniel Ene, Romanian Orthodox Dean of New York and the US East Coast, travelled to Quito. Romanians from all over the country participated in the Divine Liturgy he celebrated there: for instance, Mihaela Badin, a journalist, travelled more than 300 miles…

Apr 12, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

Malta’s President to attend Paschal Agape Vespers at Valletta Romanian Orthodox Parish

The President of Malta will attend the Paschal Agape Vespers at the Romanian Orthodox Parish in Valletta, according to an announcement made by the Romanian community in Malta. President George Vella will be accompanied by his wife, Miriam Vella. Agape Vespers (also called Vespers of Love) is a Vespers service that continues the celebration of…

Apr 6, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Vienna: Serbian film director Yelena Popovic prayed with the Romanians of “St Stephen the Great” Parish

On the Sunday of the Holy Cross, Yelena Popovic, author of the “Man of God” film, which presents the life of St. Nektarios of Aegina, prayed at the “St. Stephen the Great” Romanian Orthodox Church in Vienna. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Father Emanuel Nuțu welcomed the presence of the director in the…

Mar 22, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

Berlin officially recognises Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Germany as corporation under public law

The Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Germany, Central and Northern Europe has been officially granted recognition as a corporation under public law in the Land of Berlin. Religious communities in Germany may be recognised as corporations under public law (Körperschaften des öffentlichen Rechts).  This provision dates back to when the Church and State were not yet separated. Originally…

Mar 15, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Germany’s Romanian hierarchs meet with Bavaria Minister President

Metropolitan Serafim of the Romanian Metropolis of Germany and his assistant bishop Sofian of Brașov were part of a delegation of the Romanian community in Bavaria invited to the residence of Bavarian Minister President Dr Markus Söder. Her Excellency Adriana-Loreta Stănescu, the Romanian Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, accompanied the Romanians to the…

Feb 22, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

NATO Deputy Secretary General visits Munich church centre: The most significant Romanian foundation in Bavaria

On Monday, the Deputy General Secretary of NATO, Mircea Geoană, attended the Divine Liturgy held in the Hall of Crosses at the Munich Church Centre. The distinguished guest was given a tour of the establishment, after which he posted a message of appreciation on his Facebook and Instagram profiles. Mircea Geoană wrote that the Church…

Feb 22, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian diaspora in figures: More baptisms, weddings and conversions to Orthodoxy in 2022

The yearly report of the Romanian Patriarchate detailed the development of Romanian Orthodox dioceses abroad. Outside of the existing borders of Romania, the Romanian Patriarchate holds jurisdiction over four archdioceses and nine dioceses. Additionally, archdioceses serve as metropolitan centres. In these dioceses, there were a total of 1,483 parishes and non-parochial churches at the end…

Feb 14, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Diocese of Spain and Portugal’s 2022: charity, 3783 baptisms, 95 conversions

The Diocesan Assembly of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Spain and Portugal has presented the relevant figures for its activity in 2022. The Diocesan Assembly of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Spain and Portugal met for its working session in Madrid on January 19. Before the meeting, assistant bishop Teofil of Iberia celebrated the Divine…

Jan 26, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

France: Assembly of Orthodox Bishops speaks out against initiative to legalise euthanasia

His Grace Marc of Neamț attended last week the meeting of the Assembly of Orthodox Bishops of France (AEOF). The hierarchs spoke against a bill that would allow “active assistance in dying” – specifically euthanasia for people. This goes against all fundamental Christian and human values, the hierarchs said in a Statement clarifying the theological…

Jan 16, 2023Ștefana Totorcea