Dioceses

Hundreds join St Cleopas relics procession in northern Romania: We confess our bond with the saints

Hundreds of faithful took part Wednesday evening in a procession with the relics of Saint Cleopas Ilie of Sihăstria in the northeastern Romanian city of Botoșani, during festivities marking the patronal feast of Saint George Church. The events began with Vespers and Artoklasia, followed by a procession through the city centre led by Metropolitan Teofan…

Apr 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Relics of newly canonised Saint Blandina exhumed in Romania ahead of local proclamation

The relics of newly canonised Saint Blandina of Iași were exhumed on Wednesday at Eternitatea Cemetery in Iași, in a solemn rite ahead of the local proclamation of her canonisation. The service was led by Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia and the Iași Archdiocese’s Assistant Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani. The relics were then placed in…

Apr 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint George relic arrives in Romania as bishop hails ‘blessing’ for faithful

“We are blessed with this gift,” Bishop Galaction of Alexandria and Teleorman said on Wednesday as the reliquary containing the honourable skull of Saint George was welcomed at Pantocrator Monastery in southern Romania. The relic was brought from Mount Athos by a delegation from Xenophontos Monastery led by Archimandrite Alexios, the monastery’s abbot. Spiritual consolation…

Apr 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint George relics to arrive in Romania, martyr hailed as model for youth

The Very Rev. Archimandrite Serafim Baciu, administrative vicar of the Diocese of Alexandria and Teleorman, on Monday called on believers to prepare spiritually for the arrival of the relics of Saint George, describing the martyr as “a model of faith and witness for young people.” The honourable skull of Saint George the Trophy-Bearer will be…

Apr 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Republic of Moldova marks 1946-47 Soviet famine victims as bishop urges unity and remembrance

The third Saturday of April is dedicated in the Republic of Moldova to commemorating the victims of the 1946–1947 famine, during which more than 200,000 people died. On this occasion, Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia said the suffering of that time can be fully understood only in the light of Christ. He stressed that remembering…

Apr 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint Callinicus of Cernica hailed as witness to Resurrection at monastery in southern Romania

“Saint Callinicus is also a witness of the Resurrection. He passed to the Lord on the very day of Easter; therefore, he is a witness to the unending light of the Kingdom of God,” Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia said at Frăsinei Monastery in Vâlcea County, which honoured the saint as its founder. “Saint Callinicus of…

Apr 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Faithful mark Saint Pachomius feast in native village, bishop calls for example to be followed

The Holy Hierarch Pachomius of Gledin was commemorated on Bright Tuesday, in his native village in Bistrița-Năsăud County. On this occasion, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the “Holy Trinity” Church by Bishop Samuel of Bistrița, assistant bishop of the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj, together with Bishop Teofil of Trotuș, assistant bishop of…

Apr 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian, Serbian Orthodox faithful hold joint Easter procession in Vrsac

Romanian Orthodox faithful in Vršac, Serbia, joined Serbian Orthodox believers in a traditional Easter night procession, highlighting inter-Orthodox unity. The evening began within the Romanian community at the Episcopal Cathedral “Ascension of the Lord,” where Bishop Ieronim of Dacia Felix officiated the ceremony of receiving the Holy Fire. Clergy from across the diocese concelebrated, alongside…

Apr 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian metropolitan lays foundation stone for church honouring anti-communist heroes in Brașov

His Eminence Metropolitan Laurențiu of Transylvania blessed the foundation stone on Bright Monday for the future “Ascension of the Lord” Church in Brașov, dedicated to the heroes of the 1987 workers’ uprising and the 1989 anti-communist revolution. The church will also be dedicated to the Holy Confessor-Priest Dumitru Stăniloae. The day began with the Divine…

Apr 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Cahul chapel marks patronal feast with Paschal liturgy: ‘Be aware that Christ is with us’

The Diocesan Chapel, “Resurrection of the Lord,” in Cahul celebrated its patronal feast on Monday, the second day of Holy Pascha. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia. Referring to the Gospel according to Saint John, in which Christ grants the apostles the power to forgive sins, the bishop explained the…

Apr 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Oltenia metropolitan says ‘all creation is renewed’ at Agape Vespers in Craiova

Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia officiated the Paschal Agape Vespers, also known as the “Second Resurrection,” on Easter Sunday at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Craiova, saying that “all creation is renewed” on this day. In his sermon, the metropolitan explained why the Resurrection of the Lord is regarded as the “Feast of feasts.” “The Resurrection of…

Apr 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu