Society

The pro-life future starts now: The March for Life 2023 in Romania and Moldova is part of the Month for Life

Organizations from all over Romania and the Republic of Moldova have prepared a new edition of the Month for Life, which culminates on Saturday, March 25, with the March for Life. This year’s theme: “The Future Is Pro-Life”. “The pro-life future starts now,” is stated in the press release of the event. “Hope and determination…

Mar 9, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

Greek Orthodox Music will feature in Coronation of King Charles III

The coronation of King Charles III will include Greek Orthodox chanting as a homage to the king’s late father, Prince Philip, who was born in Corfu and was a member of the former Greek royal family. The hymns will be chanted by the Byzantine Chant Ensemble led by Dr Alexander Lingas, who formed the ensemble…

Mar 7, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Theophany, Synaxis of St. John to become public holidays in Romania

Two more Church feasts are set to become public holidays in Romania starting next year. A draft law calling for January 6, the feast of the Theophany of the Lord, and the next day, the Synaxis of St. John the Baptist, to become state-recognised holidays easily passed through both the Senate and the Chamber of…

Feb 20, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Open Doors report: 2022 was the worst year for Christians worldwide

Open Doors releases its annual World Watch List 2023, confirming that one out of every seven Christians worldwide suffers high persecution and discrimination for their faith. According to the data reported, more than 360 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.  Similar numbers were recorded last year. However, the score…

Feb 20, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Madrid: Inter-religious statement on the dignity of human life

Representatives of three Orthodox jurisdictions and other religious figures came together to sign a declaration on protecting the dignity of human life in Madrid on Wednesday. Among the signatories was Romanian Orthodox Bishop Timotei of Spain and Portugal. The document states: “That, as representatives of the main religious denominations: Islamic Commission of Spain, Federation of…

Feb 17, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

Exemplary aid: Romanian Orthodox Church spends 8,7 mln euro to support Ukrainian refugees in 2022

The annual report summarising the activities of the Romanian Orthodox Church in 2022 presents figures regarding the support offered to Ukrainian refugees: its value is equivalent to 8.7 million euros. “It was an exemplary humanitarian aid,” declared the Patriarch of Romania during the meeting of the National Church Assembly this week. “Of course, it would…

Feb 10, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarchal Palace hosts International Military Conference of NATO, PfP Chief Chaplains

Delegations from 35 countries gathered for the first time in Romania at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest to discuss the role and mission of chaplains in the current geopolitical and religious context. On Monday, NATO and Partnership for Peace chief chaplains met at the church of Michael the Brave 30th Guards Brigade for a thanksgiving…

Feb 9, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Religious leaders call for increased support for refugees and host communities

Religions for Peace and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have assembled their Multi-Religious Council of Leaders for a two-day field mission to Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, calling for people of all faiths, across the globe, to increase their support of Ukrainian refugees and host communities. The event was attended…

Feb 7, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Let us not stop at words: Representatives of Orthodox Churches to the EU want to tighten cooperation

Representatives of Orthodox Churches to the EU want to go beyond discussions and messages and tighten cooperation for the common good. It was the message transmitted at the 2023 New Year’s Reception offered by the Committee of Representatives of Orthodox Churches to the European Union (CROCEU). The event was held on January 24, at the…

Feb 1, 2023Ștefana Totorcea

President Iohannis promulgates law establishing Day of 1848 Revolution Victory and Romanian Democracy

Last week, President Klaus Iohannis promulgated a law establishing the Day of the Victory of the 1848 Revolution and the Romanian Democracy, which also designated some localities as 1848 Revolution martyr cities. The law designates June 11 as the Victory Day of the Romanian Revolution of 1848 and the Romanian democracy. Prince Gheorghe Bibescu signed…

Jan 16, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

First census results show Romania’s population is shrinking, 85.3% remain Orthodox

Romania’s resident population dropped to 19,053,815 inhabitants, the first results of the 2022 census show. Compared to the previous 2011 census, Romania lost 1.1 million inhabitants. Of the total population, 8,185,049 are active people, down from 9,180,337 active people out of a population of 20,121,641 in 2011. Of the active population, 7,688,967 are employed, and 496,082…

Jan 9, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu