Dioceses

French Ambassador visits Metropolitan Petru to discuss Orthodox Church’s role in Moldova’s European Path

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia received a visit on Wednesday from Her Excellency Dominique Waag, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Republic of Moldova. The meeting marked the first official dialogue between the two institutions, intending to strengthen and develop future cooperation in spiritual, social, and cultural areas. Strengthening Cooperation…

Jun 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Local Synods propose canonization of five holy women from both sides of the Prut River

The Local Synods of the Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina and the Metropolis of Bessarabia convened jointly on Thursday in Iași, Romania. During the session, the hierarchs approved proposals for the canonization of five women recognized for their saintly lives, originating from both banks of the Prut River. The Synod of the Metropolis of Moldavia…

Jun 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Moldovan Culture Ministry and Bessarabia Metropolis sign historic preservation pact

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova and the Metropolis of Bessarabia have agreed to protect a historic monument in Dubăsarii Vechi. The partnership concerns the Church of “Archangel Michael” and the necropolis of the Donici and Macri families in Dubăsarii Vechi, both of which are listed in the official Register of Cultural Heritage of…

Jun 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Antonie leads memorial in Bălți for Stalinist deportation victims

Bishop Antonie of Bălți officiated a memorial service on Thursday in honor of the victims of Stalinist deportations. The commemorative event took place at a symbolic location in the city of Bălți – the train station from which thousands of people were deported to Siberia and Kazakhstan. Dozens of candles were lit near the Monument…

Jun 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabian bishops plan Centennial celebrations, canonizations, and theological education expansion

The four hierarchs of the Metropolis of Bessarabia met on Monday in Chișinău for a working session under the chairmanship of His Eminence Metropolitan Petru. The decisions made concern the celebration of the Centennial of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, theological education in the Republic of Moldova, canonizations, and ecclesiastical distinctions. The Synod decided to organize…

Jun 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ignatie warns against ego worship, urges focus on divine glory

At the Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated Wednesday with priests from the Huși Deanery, His Grace Bishop Ignatie spoke about the damaging effects of selfishness and urged the faithful to glorify God rather than seek personal praise. His Grace recalled the example of a Desert Father who prayed that God would not glorify him before…

Jun 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Foundresses of Văratec Monastery remembered as canonization proposed for 2026

Schema-nuns Olimpiada and Nazaria, the founding mothers of Văratec Monastery in Neamț County, were commemorated on Monday during a monastic synaxis. The two venerable nuns are among several saintly Romanian women proposed for canonization in 2026. His Grace Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani, Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Iași, participated in the gathering and offered…

Jun 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Ioan of Banat urges faithful to receive the comfort of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost

“May the Holy Spirit comfort your hearts,” Metropolitan Ioan of Banat told the faithful on Sunday during the Feast of Pentecost. “Beloved mothers, who always have tears in your eyes, may God comfort the sorrowful—and all of you, allow yourselves to be comforted by the Spirit of God… Let the Holy Spirit comfort you all.”…

Jun 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Thousands join Pentecost procession in Cluj-Napoca, prayers offered for nature and harvest

Thousands of people participated on Sunday in the traditional Pentecost procession in Cluj-Napoca. Local Metropolitan Andrei offered prayers for the environment and the fruits of the earth. The religious event began with the Kneeling Vespers of Pentecost, officiated by Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj, at the outdoor altar on the esplanade of the…

Jun 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru: Parents are a living icon for children in a spiritually noisy world

In a message marking International Children’s Day, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia emphasized the vital role of parents as models and “living icons” for their children. His Eminence described children as “the most precious treasure of the Church and of the nation,” noting their “pure souls and luminous eyes.” Quoting Saint Basil the Great,…

Jun 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Archdiocese launches digital evangelism project with bible verses on city billboards

The Archdiocese of Timișoara has launched a unique missionary project to bring the Word of God into the urban public space, adapting to modern times by displaying biblical messages on public billboards. The digital missionary efforts began at the end of 2024 at the initiative of His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat. Digital screens featuring…

May 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu