Dioceses

Greek Ambassador to Romania visits Tulcea County to discuss bilateral cooperation

Greek Ambassador to Romania, Her Excellency Lili-Evangelia Grammatika, accompanied by Consul Euthymios Fokas and Greece’s Honorary Consul in Constanța, Theodoros Skandalides, visited Tulcea County on Friday, February 7. During the visit, Ambassador Grammatika met with His Grace Bishop Visarion, who presented her with an icon depicting the Virgin Mary. The Greek diplomat also held discussions…

Feb 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ignatie of Huși speaks on the art of dialogue at Iași theological students’ celebration

Bishop Ignatie of Huși spoke to theology students in Iași on Thursday about the art of dialogue, drawing insights from Saint Basil the Great. His Grace celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași alongside Assistant Bishop Damaschin of Dorna of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți. The day marked the feast of…

Jan 31, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Principalities’ Union Day: Metropolitan of Bessarabia reaffirms the national and spiritual identity of Bessarabians

“The Union of the Romanian Principalities was the day when the sons of Moldavia and Wallachia embraced as brothers, under the same flag and faith, laying the foundation of the modern Romanian state,” said His Eminence Metropolitan of Bessarabia in a pastoral message marking the 166th anniversary of this historic event. “This Union was not…

Jan 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Kretzulescu Parish welcomes new deacon with Egyptian roots: Called to mission among youth

Sunday saw the ordination to the diaconate of Hany El-Sayed Ismail, a 39-year-old with Egyptian roots. The ordination was officiated by His Grace Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova at Kretzulescu church in Bucharest. Hany’s grandfather was Egyptian, and although he was born in Romania, he was given uncommon names for the region. As Assistant Bishop…

Jan 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Local Synod of the Metropolis of Bessarabia charts path for 2025

The Metropolitan Synod of the Metropolis of Bessarabia convened Thursday for a working session chaired by His Eminence Metropolitan Petru, Archbishop of Chişinău, Metropolitan of Bessarabia, and Exarch of the Territories. Joining him were Bishop Antonie of Bălți and Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia, as the Synod delved into key matters concerning the spiritual, pastoral,…

Jan 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Brothers of Christ: Metropolitan Ioan celebrates name day with homeless shelter beneficiaries in Timișoara

Last week, His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat marked his name day by sharing lunch with the beneficiaries of the Emergency Social Centre for Homeless People at Pădurea Verde in Timișoara, whom he called “brothers of Christ.” The metropolitan brought dozens of containers of warm food and dined alongside the shelter residents. “Do you see…

Jan 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia’s Christmas Message to the Faithful

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia delivered a video message to the faithful in the Republic of Moldova, who celebrate the Nativity of the Lord according to the unrevised calendar. “The Nativity of the Infant Christ reminds us that God came into the world to dispel the darkness of sin and guide us on the…

Jan 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Ioachim welcomes New Year: Embrace silence, live the present, be aware of God’s presence!

On New Year’s Eve, when joy often expresses itself in noisy celebrations, the Roman Archdiocesan Cathedral emphasized the importance of silence. “It is crucial to embrace silence and live in the present, fully aware of God’s presence in our lives,” said Archbishop Ioachim. “God is an eternal present. When we enter the moment suspended between…

Jan 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru urges kindness, aid, and prayer for the needy in his Christmas encyclical

“Let us offer those in need a kind word, material aid, or a prayer, fulfilling the words of the Savior: ‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me,’” urged Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia in his pastoral letter for the celebration of the Nativity of…

Jan 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

“Our participation in New Year’s celebrations should reflect eternal, not temporary values,” says Archbishop of Suceava

At the start of 2025, Archbishop Calinic of Suceava and Rădăuți emphasized a spiritual perspective on New Year’s celebrations, stating, “Our participation in New Year’s Eve should follow different coordinates and expectations than the temporary ones.” These guiding principles, he noted, are provided by Saint Paul: “Rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be…

Jan 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop of Southern Bessarabia’s Christmas pastoral letter: A call to compassion and unity

In his pastoral letter for Christmas, which is celebrated in the Metropolis of Bessarabia on January 7 according to the unrevised Julian calendar, Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia urged believers to embody God’s compassionate love for those in suffering. “Let us become the hands of God’s merciful love for our neighbors in distress, and like…

Jan 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu