Diaspora

Swedish man baptised into Orthodox Church in Gothenburg: Sowing together the seeds of the Gospel

Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe baptised a 26-year-old Swedish man, Alexander-Orest James, on Sunday at the Diocesan Metochion in Gothenburg. The baptism took place after the Divine Liturgy celebrated by the Romanian hierarch on the fifth Sunday of Great Lent. “I give glory to the All-Merciful God that our Swedish brother, Alexander, has now received…

Mar 31, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Bishop urges faithful to ‘melt the icebergs of the soul’ after Greenland mission

His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe on Saturday urged the faithful to “melt the icebergs of the soul” at the conclusion of a pastoral mission in Greenland. His Grace spoke about the missionary experience carried out in extreme conditions, as well as its spiritual fruits. “After the seven days spent in Greenland, I can…

Mar 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Macarie baptises Greenland youth inspired by Romanian Saint Cleopas

His Grace Bishop Macarie Drăgoi of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe baptised a young Greenlander on Thursday, who received the name of Saint Cleopas (Ilie) of Sihăstria. The bishop noted that the young man had been influenced by the writings of the Romanian saint and wished to bear his name. “Accompanied from Scandinavia…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

St Nikolai Velimirović commemorated in Michigan as Metropolitan highlights meaning of the Cross

Saint Nikolai Velimirović was commemorated on Sunday at the Protection of the Mother of God Monastery, where he is honoured as the third patron saint, alongside the Mother of God and John Jacob of Neamț. His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the two Americas celebrated the Divine Liturgy and spoke about following Christ and taking up…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Macarie begins mission among glaciers in Greenland

Bishop Macarie Drăgoi of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe arrived in Greenland on Monday, where he will spend a week celebrating the Divine Liturgy and baptising local people who wish to enter into communion with the Church. In a message posted on the diocese’s Facebook page, the bishop said the mission is taking…

Mar 17, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

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