International

Simonopetra Monastery Abbot thinks Romanian Prince Michael the Brave is a Saint

The abbot of the Athonite Monastery of Simonopetra, Archimandrite Elisaios Raptis, said that his monastic community reveres Prince Michael the Brave as a saint. Michael the Brave was Prince of Wallachia (1593-1601), Prince of Moldova (1600) and de facto ruler of Transylvania (1599-1600). He is considered one of Romania’s most significant national heroes and the…

Aug 14, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem celebrates feast day of St John Jacob the New Chozebite

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the feast of Saint John Jacob the New Chozebite on August 10. This year, on the feast of Saint John Jacob, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem presided over the all-night vigil at Chozeba Monastery, having as concelebrants Metropolitan Hesychios of Capitolias and Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantine. The three hierarchs participated…

Aug 11, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

CEC elects Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain as new President

His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain of the Ecumenical Patriarchate was elected as president of the Conference of European Churches during its General Assembly held in Tallinn on June 19. Archbishop Nikitas is the coordinator of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Task Force on Human Trafficking and Modern-day Slavery and has served as chairman…

Jun 21, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop of Tomis leads the 100-year celebration of Romanian church in Sofia, meets with Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte

His Eminence Archbishop Teodosie of Tomis participated in the celebrations of the “Holy Trinity” Church’s centenary of uninterrupted ministry in the Romanian language in Sofia. The hierarch also had a meeting with Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria. Although the church was consecrated on December 6, the series of celebratory events began on the feast of Pentecost.…

Jun 13, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Warsaw saw the consecration of “Hagia Sophia”, its first Orthodox church built in the last hundred years

The first Orthodox place of worship built in Warsaw in the last hundred years was consecrated on Sunday. The “Hagia Sophia” Church is a replica of the basilica of the same name built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in Constantinople and has been dedicated to the victims of the Communist regime: those deported, imprisoned and killed…

May 16, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

HE Saba, new Antiochian Metropolitan of North America: Ortodox Christians called to give witness to the beauty of Christ

His Eminence Saba Isper was enthroned on Saturday as the Antiochian Metropolitan of North America. In his enthronement speech, he spoke of the mission of Orthodox Christians in today’s society: to give witness to the beauty of Christ in a world which is thirsty for the Word of Life. The ceremony was held at “St…

May 15, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

70th anniversary of restored Bulgarian Patriarchate: Gratitude towards ancestors who kept the true faith

His Beatitude Patriarch Neophitos of Bulgaria and the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church sent a message for on May 10, 2023, which marks the 70th anniversary of the restoration of the Bulgarian Patriarchate (1953). The message expresses gratitude to the forefathers for “remaining firm in the Orthodox faith”. The Holy Synod states that…

May 11, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

Dacia Felix Bishop expresses condolences over Belgrade school shooting

His Grace Bishop Ieronim of Dacia Felix extended condolences over the tragic shooting in a school in Belgrade, which killed nine, including eight children and wounded others. “Such tragic events, which sadden us and, simultaneously, worry us due to their unpredictability, are just as many alarm signals regarding the unconditional love, attention and emotional support…

May 5, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel venerates relic of St Thomas: “An intensification of paschal joy”

The relics of Saint Thomas the Apostle and the Holy Great Martyr Catherine were brought last week from Greece for the patronal feast of Pantocrator Monastery in Teleorman County in southern Romania. Before leaving for Greece, the Greek delegation visited the patriarchal residence bringing the relics to be venerated by the Patriarch of Romania. “We…

May 4, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Professor John Behr awarded highest distinction of Romanian Diocese of Northern Europe

Rev. John Behr, a professor at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, received the highest award of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe last Friday. The “Northern Cross” was awarded to Rev. John Behr by His Grace Bishop Macarie during a ceremony at the diocesan chapel in Bergen, Norway. His Grace Bishop Macarie of…

Apr 25, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

6.75% of Albania’s population is still Orthodox: An analysis of demographic decline

The American online publishing platform Medium analysed the demographic decline in Albania’s Orthodox community. Albania is renowned for its religious variety, which includes a sizeable community of Orthodox Christians. By the beginning of the 20th century, 70% of Albanians were Muslim, 20% Orthodox, and 10% Catholic. Yet, the 2011 census found that Albania’s Orthodox population…

Mar 14, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu