Dioceses

Bessarabia new Metropolitan Antonie chairs first meeting of Chișinău Archdiocese leadership

On Monday, July 13, just a day after his enthronement as Archbishop of Chișinău, Metropolitan of Bessarabia, and Exarch of the Territories, Metropolitan Antonie led the inaugural working session of the Standing Committee of the Archdiocesan Council of Chișinău. The meeting took place at the Diocesan Centre in Chișinău and marked the beginning of the…

Jul 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia enthroned in Chișinău, calls for unity and shared mission

His Eminence Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia was enthroned on Sunday, July 12, in Chișinău in the presence of several hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Romanian Secretary of State for Religious Affairs Ciprian Olinici, and senior officials from the Republic of Moldova, who attended the Divine Liturgy and enthronement ceremony held at the Church of…

Jul 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Hierarchs celebrate patronal feast at Halmyris Monastery, site of Saints Epictetus and Astion’s martyrdom

Archbishop Casian of the Lower Danube and Bishop Visarion of Tulcea celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Wednesday at Halmyris Monastery in Tulcea County on the patronal feast of Saints Epictetus and Astion. Archbishop Casian highlighted the decisive role the witness of the two holy martyrs played in the spread of Christianity, noting that “through their…

Jul 9, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Adult catechumen received into Romanian Orthodox Church through baptism

An adult catechumen was received into the Romanian Orthodox Church through the Mystery of Holy Baptism last Saturday at the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen in Comănești, Bacău County. “Such an occasion reminds us that every baptism is first and foremost the victory of God’s love over human estrangement and the beginning of a…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Newly ordained Assistant Bishop Iachint: The Divine Liturgy is the beginning of every ministry

His Grace Assistant Bishop Iachint of the Pacific of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand celebrated his first Divine Liturgy following his episcopal ordination on Sunday, saying there could be no more fitting beginning to his ministry than the Eucharistic celebration. He concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with His Grace Assistant Bishop Timotei…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Damaschin: Only God can free us from sin, passions and spiritual weakness

His Grace Assistant Bishop Damaschin of Dorna from the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at St Demetrius the Myrrh-gusherParish in Trei Movile, Suceava County, where he stressed that only God can deliver people from sin and spiritual weakness. The bishop visited the parish to bless the recently completed restoration…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox clergy commemorate victims of 1949 Soviet deportations in Republic of Moldova

Victims of the 1949 Soviet deportations were commemorated on Monday across the Republic of Moldova, marking 77 years since one of the largest waves of Stalinist repression in the region. Memorial services were organised in numerous parishes of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, where clergy, public officials and faithful honoured those who suffered under the communist…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

St Philotimia of Râmeț proclaimed locally as model of holy family life

The local proclamation of St Philotimia of Râmeț took place on Monday at Râmeț Monastery in Alba County. On the occasion, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurențiu of Transylvania said the saint’s life demonstrates that “holiness can be lived within the family, not only in monasteries”. Before the Divine Liturgy, a procession was held with the relics…

Jun 30, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian and Hungarian experts search for St Anastasia Șaguna’s relics at Budapest cemetery

Romanian and Hungarian specialists took part on Monday in investigations at Kerepesi Cemetery in Budapest as part of efforts to identify the relics of St Anastasia Șaguna, canonised by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 2025. The investigation began with the opening of the Grabovsky family vault at Kerepesi Cemetery, where the remains believed to be…

Jun 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland: God works when we remain steadfast in faith and hope

“God can accomplish all things when a person does not lose hope and remains steadfast in the faith,” His Grace Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland said Wednesday during the patronal feast of Valea Mare Monastery in Covasna County, dedicated to the Nativity of St John the Baptist. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishops…

Jun 25, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Two bishops nominated for election as Metropolitan of Bessarabia

Two candidates for the office of Metropolitan of Bessarabia were nominated on Saturday, following the proceedings of the Metropolitan Synod convened in Chișinău. Following consultations and a secret ballot, the members of the Synod proposed His Grace Bishop Antonie of Bălți and His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia as candidates for the office. After…

Jun 23, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu