Society

European Parliament recognises the Orthodox Metropolis of Bessarabia as a victim of Soviet oppression

A resolution proposed by mostly Polish MEPs and voted last week in the European Parliament recognises the Metropolis of Bessarabia as a victim of Soviet oppression. The European Parliament “notes that the Orthodox Metropolis of Bessarabia, which was vindictively abolished by the Soviet authorities, was officially recognised in 2002 following a decision of the European…

Oct 9, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian State, religious denominations agree on setting up new national dialogue committee

Romania’s Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu met with representatives of religious denominations at Victoria Palace on Monday. The agenda focused on continuing dialogue and cooperation between the state and religious denominations to benefit believers and Romanian society. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel represented the Romanian Orthodox Church and referred to the proposal to set up a new…

Oct 3, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Father Necula about the unseen consequences of drug use: A whole generation losing its meaning!

Father Constantin Necula expressed concern about drug use among young people in Romania. “Everyone looks only at the physical consequences, massive accidents, loss of consciousness, falls. People, a whole generation is losing its meaning!” emphasised the priest. “It’s the worst thing Romania is now subjected to. And I see nothing to support a meaningful re-branding…

Sep 29, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

Speaker of Georgian Parliament visits St Anthimos Monastery in Bucharest

As part of his official visit to Romania, the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, visited St Anthimos Monastery in Bucharest on Wednesday, when the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of St Anthimos the Iberian. Patriarchal auxiliary Bishop Varlaam Ploieșteanul and Abbot Vicentiu Oboroceanu welcomed the delegation, including the Ambassador of Georgia…

Sep 27, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

ITO 2023 Conferences: Dr Radu Tincu combats 5 false claims about drug use

Dr. Radu Tincu, a primary physician in Intensive Care and Toxicology, spoke at the 2023 International Meeting of Orthodox Youth (ITO) Conferences held in Timișoara, Romania, about the growing scourge of drug use among young people. On this occasion, he challenged five false claims about drug use. “I’ve wondered if drug addiction is just a…

Sep 6, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

Metropolitan Ioan asks Orthodox youth to form a human chain around those who risk being trafficked or using drugs

“Dear young people, please form a human chain around the ones you see at risk of being trafficked or at risk of drug use. Please, surround them like birds protect their young when kidnappers come to their nest!” said Metropolitan Ioan of Banat on Saturday, at the International Meeting of Orthodox Youth (ITO) 2023 Conferences,…

Sep 4, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

Romania: 75,000 pilgrims honour the Mother of God at Nicula Monastery

75,000 pilgrims participated in the Nicula Monastery patronal feast last week, according to the police forces. Many of the faithful came a few days before the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, to honour the Nicula Wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God and to participate in the services officiated at the…

Aug 22, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

Report: 63% of the world’s population lives in countries where they cannot freely witness their Christian faith

According to a report of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), almost 5 billion people (63% of the world’s population) live in countries where free Christian witness is restrained or even forbidden. During the last three years, the number of countries where Christians are killed or kidnapped has reached 40. Also, according to ACN…

Aug 21, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

I was born under the curse of survival, and Jesus freed me from it, Chinese convert Kenan Dionisie Wang confesses

Journalist Cristian Curte published in the weekly Formula As an interview with Kenan Dionisie Wang, a PhD student in History at the University of Bucharest and a first-year student in Orthodox Theology. Kenan was born in China and converted to Orthodoxy in Romania. He dreams of becoming an Orthodox priest. “Priesthood is the lifestyle of…

Aug 17, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Chernivtsi street could be renamed to honour Metropolitan Saint Jacob of Putna

A street in the Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi could be renamed to honour the Holy Hierarch Jacob of Putna, Metropolitan of Moldavia, BucPress news agency reported, citing Molody Bukowinec newspaper. According to the cited source, local authorities intend to rename approximately 40 streets whose names are still related to the history of Soviet space. “We…

Aug 9, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Escaping war but longingly looking back: Diaconia Mission offers Ukrainian refugee mothers a holiday with their children

Throughout July 2023, refugee mothers from Ukraine spend a free holiday with their children in the Republic of Moldova, in a programme entitled “Bridges of Solidarity” and implemented by the Diaconia Social Mission with the financial support of Caritas Ambrosiana. Women who fled the war are torn between homesickness and fear for their future. The…

Jul 17, 2023Ștefana Totorcea