International

Ecumenical Patriarch marks 50 years of Jewish–Orthodox dialogue: We encounter one another in a field of learning, trust, and hope

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I said on the occasion of 50 years of dialogue between Judaism and Orthodox Christianity that relations between the two religious traditions are built in a space of learning, trust and hope. Speaking on December 8 at the opening of the 12th International Academic Consultation between Judaism and Orthodox Christianity, the Patriarch…

Dec 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Christian and Muslim leaders mark 10 years of Aqaba Process at Jordan Conference

Christian and Muslim religious leaders from the Balkans and the Middle East gathered last week in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to mark the 10th anniversary of the Aqaba Process, an international initiative aimed at promoting interreligious dialogue and peaceful coexistence. The international conference, titled “The Aqaba Process – Balkan Interreligious Dialogue,” was held on…

Dec 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Lutheran–Orthodox Joint Commission meets in Strasbourg ahead of 2026 Plenary

The Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Orthodox Churches met in Strasbourg last week to prepare for its plenary session scheduled for May 2026. The meeting, held November 16–18, took place at the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, an institution of the Lutheran World Federation that…

Nov 26, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Canada’s Romanian Orthodox bishop urges stronger inter-church solidarity for Middle East Christians

Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada emphasised at the gala of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) on November 7 that supporting Christians in the Middle East requires “greater solidarity among all Churches,” given the ongoing conflicts that keep their situation fragile. He added that such gatherings are not only fundraising events but also opportunities…

Nov 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Ambassador highlights St Dumitru Stăniloae hesychast theology at Vatican Conference

Romania’s Ambassador to the Holy See and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, George Bologan, delivered a lecture at the Vatican on Wednesday, discussing Romanian hesychast theology and tradition, with particular emphasis on the work of Saint Dumitru Stăniloae. Speaking at a conference organised by the “Carità politica” Association, Ambassador Bologan presented Romanian Orthodox spirituality…

Nov 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Theophilos III celebrates Divine Liturgy at Romanian Church in Jerusalem

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and All Palestine celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the Church of the Romanian Settlement in Jerusalem. Concelebrating with him were Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Secretary General of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem; Metropolitan Joachim of Helenopolis; Archimandrite Constantine, Abbot of the Tomb of the Mother of God in Gethsemane;…

Nov 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod secretary receives Armenian Church honour during Cathedral Jubilee

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, the Holy Synod’s general secretary, received on Sunday the Archangels Michael and Gabriel Medal from the Armenian Church Diocese in Romania. The distinction was presented by Bishop Datev Hagopian, Head of the Armenian Archdiocese in Romania, during the reconsecration of the Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Archangels Michael and…

Nov 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Benelux Orthodox Bishops discuss chaplaincy in Belgian Army and prisons, Religion classes in Dutch schools

Orthodox bishops in the Benelux met in Brussels on Tuesday for the 31st meeting of the Orthodox Episcopal Conference of the region. Key topics included Christian Orthodox religious assistance in the Belgian armed forces and prison system, as well as the potential introduction of Orthodox religion classes in primary schools in the Netherlands. The Conference…

Nov 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visits Greek Embassy in Bucharest, prays at Annunciation Church

On Friday evening, His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met with Her Excellency Evangelia Grammatika, Greece’s Ambassador to Romania. His Holiness visited the Embassy of Greece in Bucharest and prayed at the nearby Greek Church of the Annunciation. The Ecumenical Patriarch presented the Greek Embassy with several historical volumes dedicated to the Church of Constantinople. In…

Oct 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Bucharest, praises Romania’s deep Orthodox faith ahead of Cathedral Consecration

Shortly after landing at Bucharest’s Henri Coandă International Airport on Friday afternoon, His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew delivered a moving address expressing deep joy and gratitude for his return to Romania. Speaking in the presence of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church, and state officials, the Ecumenical Patriarch described his visit…

Oct 24, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Abbot of Putna Monastery presents Icon of Saint Jacob of Putna to Antiochian Metropolitan Saba

A delegation from Putna Monastery, led by Archimandrite Melchisedec Velnic, abbot of the holy monastery, recently visited the United States, where they took part in the patronal feast—celebrated in advance—of St. Demetrius Monastery in Middletown, New York. On this occasion, Archimandrite Melchisedec Velnic and Archimandrite Ieremia Berbec, abbot of the Romanian monastery in Middletown and…

Oct 23, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu