Dioceses

The spirit of unity and faith: Metropolitan Petru’s message on Romania’s National Day

“Let us not forget that the Great Union was not merely a political triumph but, above all, a victory of the Romanian soul, unwavering faith, and self-sacrifice, under the protection and care of the Romanian Orthodox Church,” noted Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia in a message delivered on Sunday, Romania’s National Day. “Let us keep this…

Dec 2, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia highlights sacred calling of monasticism at annual synaxis

In a spiritual epistle sent on the occasion of the Monastic Synaxis held on Monday in the Archdiocese of Craiova, Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia observed that “the mystery of monasticism is the most sacred calling that God has given to people.” “Therefore, whoever wishes to follow Christ the Saviour must leave worldly life and open…

Nov 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia encourages spiritual peace at beginning of old calendar Nativity Fast

“During these holy days, we are called to withdraw from the noise of the world, from conflicts and disturbances, and seek spiritual peace – hesychia – so cherished by the Holy Fathers,” said Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia on Thursday, the first day of the Nativity Fast according to the unrevised calendar. In his message, the…

Nov 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian historical communities begin Nativity Fast according to Old Calendar

The Nativity Fast begins on Thursday in most Romanian historical communities following the unrevised calendar. While Romanians in Romania commemorate St. Stephen the Younger and St. Irinarch on this day, most Romanians beyond the borders honour St. Paisius Velichkovsky of Neamț and Saints Gurias, Samonas and Habibus. Key feast days differ for those observing the old calendar.…

Nov 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Selfishness and rapacity disfigure us and turn us into brutes, warns Bishop Ignatie in Sunday sermon

“Selfishness and rapacity – the pathological tendency to accumulate, are what disfigure us and transform us into brutes, into characters who limit themselves only to the biological dimension of our lives, ignoring the spiritual one,” said Bishop Ignatie of Hușilor on Sunday, reflecting on the Parable of the Rich Man whose land produced abundantly. The…

Nov 19, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Each of us is a priest of love for our neighbor, Archbishop Casian says as Nativity Fast begins

“Each of us is a priest of love for our neighbor, the outstretched hands of the Savior Jesus Christ,” His Eminence Archishop Casian of Lower Danube said at the beginning of the Nativity Fast. “The Holy Church sends us now, at the beginning of the fasting season, a sweet, pastoral word, just as bees go…

Nov 19, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Collaboration protocol signed between Metropolis of Bessarabia and Moldova’s Ministry of Internal Affairs

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia and Adrian Efros, the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, signed a collaboration protocol last Friday to support religious activities. The two institutions committed to promoting moral-spiritual education and providing religious assistance to the employees of the ministry’s subordinate structures, as stated on the official website…

Nov 19, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Varsanufie hails courage of Saint Menas: “He believed that without death, there is no resurrection”

On Monday, Archbishop Varsanufie celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the “All Saints” Chapel in Râmnicu Vâlcea, highlighting the life and profound conviction of Saint Menas the Great Martyr. The archbishop shared that Saint Menas “firmly believed that without death, there is no resurrection.” “Saint Menas was convinced that without struggle, there are no crowns; without…

Nov 13, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Mother’s tragedy inspires new Orthodox addiction center blessed in Iași by Metropolitan Teofan

Metropolitan Teofan of Moldova and Bukovina blessed the “Maximilian” Orthodox Addiction Recovery Center, inaugurated last Monday in Iași, Romania, as a ministry of the city’s “St. Basil the Great” Parish. It was inspired by the tragic story of a young addict. The project has been realised with the support of the Archdiocese of Iași, in…

Nov 11, 2024Ștefana Totorcea

Bishop warns of unprecedented challenges facing youth as new parish centre opens to support spiritual and community growth

On Sunday, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești blessed the new auxiliary missionary centre of Bucharest’s Dorobanți Parish, emphasising its purpose of providing a supportive environment for youth engagement and spiritual growth. “This centre’s primary mission is youth activities,” Bishop Varlaam noted on Nov. 3. “By hosting appealing Christian activities here, we hope…

Nov 6, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia congratulates Maia Sandu on her victory in Moldova’s presidential election

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia extended his congratulations to Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, on her election to a new term in office. “In light of Your Excellency’s election to the esteemed office of President of the Republic of Moldova, please allow us to extend our warmest and most sincere congratulations,”…

Nov 4, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu