International

Benelux Orthodox Bishops to establish joint commission for Catholic-Orthodox dialogue in Belgium

The Assembly of Orthodox Bishops in Benelux held its 30th meeting on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Orthodox Archdiocese in Brussels, under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. During the meeting, the bishops agreed to establish a Joint Commission for Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church in Belgium. The initiative…

Jun 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian religious missions in Holy Land safe amid Israel-Iran conflict, Church representative says

“In the context of the recent acts of war unfolding in the Holy Land, we inform you that our Romanian settlements in the Holy Land — the Representation in Jerusalem and the Romanian Settlement in the biblical city of Jericho — are safe,” announced Archimandrite Teofil Anăstăsoaie, the representative of the Romanian Patriarchate in the…

Jun 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Nine years since the Holy and Great Council: Romanian Orthodox Church’s consistent contribution

Monday marks nine years since the opening of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, which brought together hierarchs from ten autocephalous Orthodox Churches in Crete. The Romanian delegation included 25 hierarchs. The Council took place between June 16–26, 2016, preceded by a preparatory working committee from June 9–16. Key topics addressed included:…

Jun 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Bishops in Canada discuss Church unity, societal challenges at Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops (CCOB) took place last week in Toronto at the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada under the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Most Orthodox jurisdictions in the country were represented, including Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada, who attended on behalf of the Romanian Orthodox Church. During…

Jun 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchal Choir Tronos performs at International Sacred Music Festival in Serbia

The Tronos Byzantine Choir of the Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral represented the Romanian Orthodox Church at the “Musical Edict” International Festival of Sacred Music in Niš, Serbia. The event was held on the feast of Pentecost. Held under the patronage of the Serbian Patriarchate and with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Arsenije of Niš, the…

Jun 12, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox–Lutheran Dialogue Commission holds 19th plenary session in Cyprus, focuses on synodality and primacy

The 19th plenary meeting of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Lutheran World Federation took place from May 19 to 24 in the city of Larnaca, Cyprus. The theme of this year’s session was “Synodality and Primacy.” Representing the Romanian Patriarchate was Fr. Cosmin Daniel Pricop, Dean of…

Jun 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

European Church leaders convene in Cluj-Napoca to shape inter-Christian strategy through 2029

The city of Cluj-Napoca in northwestern Romania hosted the Executive Board meeting of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), a high-level event promoting European inter-Christian dialogue, from May 22 to 24. The meeting was chaired by His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, who also serves as CEC President. The gathering had a…

Jun 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ioan Casian attends Ottawa event marking 110th anniversary of Armenian Genocide

The Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada took part in the commemoration of the holy martyrs who sacrificed their lives for faith and country during the Armenian Genocide last Friday. The Romanian hierarch attended the event at the invitation of Bishop Abgar Hovakimyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Canada. The event, marking the 110th anniversary…

May 19, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Bishop in Italy congratulates Pope Leo XIV, wishes fruitful apostolate

The Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Italy has sent a message of congratulations to the newly elected Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV, wishing him a fruitful apostolic ministry. “We pray that you may receive from God the strength of a lion and the courage of your predecessors,” said Bishop Siluan to the new Pope, referring…

May 12, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Coptic Patriarch Tawadros II visits Romanian Patriarchate, praises church ties and monastic heritage

His Beatitude Pope Tawadros II, Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria, visited the Patriarchal Palace and the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest on Wednesday. The Egyptian guest was received by Patriarch Daniel, who wished him a pleasant stay in Bucharest and at the nearby monasteries. Patriarch Tawadros II is visiting Romania as part of a pastoral visit to…

Apr 30, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Greek pilgrims visit Romanian Orthodox sites in Bucharest to strengthen ties between sister Churches

A group of Greek pilgrims, led by Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Chalkida and Bishop Nicodemus of Skopelos, visited several religious sites in Bucharest on Monday. At the Patriarchal Palace, the pilgrims were welcomed by the Bucharest Archdiocese’s Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova. Following the palace tour, the two Greek hierarchs held talks with Assistant Bishop Timotei.…

Apr 29, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu