Dioceses

Metropolitan of Bessarabia on Dormition Fast: ‘Through fasting, we learn to say no to the passions’

The Dormition Fast began on Friday, 14 August, for Orthodox Christians following the unrevised Julian calendar. On this occasion, His Eminence Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia issued a message urging the faithful to use the fasting period to strengthen themselves spiritually. “God gives us these days to prepare ourselves to understand the great mystery of the…

Aug 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian bishop joins pilgrims on 20-km walk to Nicula Monastery for Dormition

His Grace Bishop Benedict of Sălaj on Tuesday joined a group of Orthodox faithful on a 20-km pilgrimage on foot from Valcău de Jos, Sălaj County, to Nicula Monastery, Cluj County, where they will take part in celebrations for the Dormition of the Mother of God. Before their departure, the bishop highlighted the spiritual meaning…

Aug 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabian deportees carried their faith into Soviet exile, Romanian priest says

Fr Viorel Cojocaru, cultural adviser to the Archdiocese of Chișinău, explained in an interview with Doxa how Bessarabians deported from the province during the Soviet period preserved their faith and hope in God amid suffering. The priest said that although they were forced to abandon their homes and possessions, many of those deported “travelled with…

Aug 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Târgoviște Archbishop marks name day, says Church journeys through history in footsteps of saints

“The Church journeys through history in the footsteps of the saints, and their fascinating experience and profound embrace of Christian values constitute that wonderful treasure of spirituality which inspires the lives of us all, young and old,” His Eminence Archbishop Nifon of Târgoviște, Honorary Metropolitan and Patriarchal Exarch, said on Tuesday. On the feast of…

Aug 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox bishop likens climbing the mountain to the Christian spiritual journey

“The mountain is also an image of the spiritual ascent. No one reaches the mountain’s summit without effort,” Assistant Bishop Nectarie of Bogdania said last Thursday at the patronal feast of Ceahlău Monastery, situated at an altitude of 1,800 metres (5,900 feet). Pilgrims from across Romania attended the celebration, some walking hundreds of kilometres to…

Aug 10, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian ambassador visits Diocese of Bălți, reaffirms support for Romanian communities in Republic of Moldova

Romania’s Ambassador to Chișinău, Cristian-Leon Țurcanu, met on Wednesday with Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia during an official visit to the Diocese of Bălți. During their meeting, the two reaffirmed their partnership in support of Romanian communities in the Republic of Moldova. The ambassador’s visit continued the institutional dialogue initiated in July at the Metropolitan Residence…

Aug 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

African metropolitan urges faithful to follow St. John Jacob’s example at Romanian seminary feast

“The saints gather us together today. We have come to celebrate a saint—St. John Jacob—who was also a man, yet his eyes were always fixed on God,” Metropolitan Chariton of Kananga of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa said on Wednesday during the patronal feast of the Theological Seminary at Neamț Monastery. His Eminence…

Aug 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Antonie marks 24th anniversary of Metropolis of Bessarabia’s legal recognition

Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia officiated a Te Deum at the St John the Theologian Metropolitan Chapel in Chișinău on Thursday, marking 24 years since the official recognition of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, re-established after the fall of communism. The service was followed by the reading of a message from the metropolitan, who described the anniversary…

Jul 31, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta visits Arad Archdiocese

On Monday, 27 July, Archbishop Timotei of Arad received Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (Ecumenical Patriarchate). Archbishop Timotei introduced his guest to the new Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral in Arad. According to the archdiocese, Metropolitan Sevastianos was “deeply impressed by the beauty and grandeur” of the cathedral. The visit…

Jul 30, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

St Basil the Great’s right hand to visit Romania for first time

Faithful in Romania will have their first chance to venerate the right hand of St Basil the Great, on display at the Diocesan Cathedral of Alexandria from August 28 to September 2. The reliquary containing the holy relic will be brought by Bishop Nicodemus of Skopelos, Auxiliary Bishop of the Metropolis of Chalkida, Istiaia and…

Jul 30, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Benedict calls for compassionate doctors, priests and teachers

The Great Martyr and Healer Saint Panteleimon was also honoured on Monday at the parish serving the Prof. Dr Ioan Pușcaș Municipal Hospital in Șimleu Silvaniei, Sălaj County, Romania. Bishop Benedict of Sălaj celebrated the Divine Liturgy and said in his homily that society needs “doctors who love,” as well as priests and teachers who…

Jul 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu