International

Albania inaugurates first monumental statue of Christ in Albanian Alps

Albania has unveiled its first monumental statue of Jesus Christ, inaugurated recently at one of the most scenic points of the Albanian Alps, in the Nikaj-Mërtur Natural Park in the Tropojë region. The statue depicts Christ with outstretched arms, reminiscent of the famous “Christ the Redeemer” statue in Rio de Janeiro, according to JOQ Albania.…

Aug 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Wooden church for Japan’s first Orthodox cemetery ready, funds needed for transport

Romanian Orthodox faithful in Japan, after acquiring a plot for Christian burials, have also commissioned the construction of a small wooden church in the Maramureș architectural style. Built in Romania, the church is now awaiting shipment to Japan, with fundraising underway to cover transport costs. “This is the wooden church that will serve the Orthodox…

Aug 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate delegation meets Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem

A delegation of the Romanian Patriarchate, led by His Grace Bishop Teofil of Trotuș, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău, was received on an official visit by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem on Tuesday. Bishop Teofil presented the accreditation letters of the new Superior of the Romanian mission in the…

Aug 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Dr. Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie begins his term as Dean of St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary in New York

Dr. Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie, a Romanian theologian, has begun his term as Dean of the “St. Vladimir’s” Theological Seminary (SVOTS) in Yonkers, New York. The Romanian was elected in February for a five-year mandate by the SVOTS Board of Trustees. Also, this May, the board designated His Beatitude Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America…

Jul 15, 2025Ștefana Totorcea

Vatopedi Abbot awarded Romanian Patriarchate’s highest distinction

The Very Rev. Archimandrite Efrem Koutsou, Abbot of Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos, received the highest distinction of the Romanian Patriarchate, the Patriarchal Cross. The ceremony took place last Friday in the Hall of the Romanian Saints at the Patriarchal Residence, immediately after the reception of the relics of Saint John Chrysostom. The distinction was…

Jul 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate appoints Fr. Ioan Meiu as new representative to the Holy Land

The Very Rev. Protosyncellus Ioan Meiu will become the new representative of the Romanian Patriarchate to the Holy Land, taking over the position from Archimandrite Teofil Anăstăsoaie, who was recently elected Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău. According to a decision by the Standing Committee of the National Church Council, Fr. Ioan…

Jul 10, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Coptic Archbishop of London meets with Cambridge Orthodox Institute leaders to discuss future collaboration

The Coptic Archbishop of London held a meeting last week with two representatives of the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies (IOCS) in Cambridge. Archbishop Angaelos welcomed Fr. Dragoș Herescu, Director of IOCS, and Fr. John Jillions, the newly appointed Chair of the Institute’s Board of Trustees, at the Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in the United…

Jul 10, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Hon Metropolitan Nifon attends WCC Central Committee, visits Johannesburg Romanian parish

Between June 16–24, His Eminence Hon Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Targoviste, represented the Romanian Orthodox Church at the meeting of the Executive and Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) held in South Africa, accompanied by Fr. Michael Tița, Eparchial Vicar of the Archdiocese of Bucharest. As part of this trip, the Archbishop…

Jun 26, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

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