International

Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan Serafim welcomes appointment of Vienna’s new Catholic Archbishop

His Eminence Metropolitan Serafim of Germany, Central and Northern Europe has welcomed the appointment of Josef Grünwidl as the new Roman Catholic Archbishop and Metropolitan of Vienna. “With great fraternal joy, I learned of Your Eminence’s appointment as Archbishop of Vienna and of the fact that, after deep reflection, you responded with a wholehearted ‘yes’…

Oct 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Church delegates meet in Brussels to strengthen cooperation and promote Christian values in the EU

Representatives of the Romanian Patriarchate to the European Union, Fr. Sorin Șelaru and Fr. George Vâlcu, took part on Tuesday in a meeting of the Committee of Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the European Union (CROCEU), held at the Ambiorix Orthodox Centre in Brussels. The meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation among the local Orthodox…

Oct 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Lebanon Metropolis publishes tribute album for Saint Sofian of Antim, Bucharest’s Apostle

The Metropolis of Byblos, Botris, and Mount Lebanon (Patriarchate of Antioch) has published a commemorative album dedicated to Saint Sofian of Antim, who painted the Church of Saint George at Deir el-Harf Monastery, near Broummana in eastern Lebanon. The volume, printed in English, includes previously unpublished photographs of Saint Sofian of Antim and serves as…

Sep 29, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

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