Society

Austrian Churches Council visits Holy Land to support peace and Christian communities

A delegation from the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Austria (ÖRKÖ) visited the Holy Land last week for discussions with organizations working for peace and reconciliation. The delegation included: Bishop Tiran Petrosyan, Apostolic Armenian Bishop and President of ÖRKÖ, Bishop Manfred Scheuer, Catholic Bishop of Linz, Superintendent Thomas Hennefeld, Regional Reformed Church leader, Father Nicolae…

Feb 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Moldova Census reveals Orthodox majority, rising urbanization, and aging demographics

The National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova has released the preliminary results of the 2024 Population Census, conducted last year. The data shows that while 95% of the population identifies as Orthodox Christian, the country’s total population has decreased by nearly 14% compared to the previous census conducted a decade ago. Another…

Jan 31, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Study reveals 380 million Christians persecuted worldwide, top risk zones identified

The Open Doors organization has compiled the annual World Watch List 2025, ranking the most dangerous countries for Christians. A report covering the period from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, reveals that over 380 million Christians face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith: 1 in 7 globally, 1 in 5…

Jan 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Christian unity discussed at round table in Brussels

Fr. Sorin Șelaru, Director of the Romanian Patriarchate’s Representation in Brussels, participated on Tuesday in a round table titled How Do We Understand Christian Unity in Practice?. He emphasized that striving for unity should constantly concern every believer. The event featured a dialogue between Fr. Sorin Șelaru; Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, Secretary-General of the Commission…

Jan 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam urges rediscovery of Christian unity during Prayer Week celebration

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești represented His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel at the fourth evening of prayer for Christian unity this year, which took place Tuesday evening at the Armenian Archdiocesan Cathedral “Archangels Michael and Gabriel” in Bucharest. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, held worldwide from January 18-25, is focused this year on…

Jan 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Paisie warns of rising Christianophobia and the need for spiritual unity

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia represented Patriarch Daniel at the first evening of prayer for Christian unity this year, held Saturday at the Parcul Domeniilor-Cașin Church in Bucharest. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, observed worldwide from January 18 to 25, is guided this year by the theme, “Do you believe this?” (John…

Jan 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Calendar tops Google searches in Romania at the start of 2025

The Orthodox Calendar remains one of the most popular topics searched by Romanians on Google in 2024, but also at the beginning of the New Year 2025. In three months of the previous year, the term Orthodox Calendar appeared among the top 10 most searched topics. According to an analysis published by Panorama, in January…

Jan 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Church representatives engage in dialogue with new European Parliament members

On Tuesday, representatives of Orthodox Churches to the European Union, alongside other religious communities, met with newly elected members of the European Parliament to emphasize the need for continued and strengthened dialogue between EU institutions and faith communities. The meeting, titled “Article 17 TFEU Dialogue – The importance of intergenerational dialogue in addressing Europe’s future…

Dec 12, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romfilatelia launches 2024 Christmas stamp collection celebrating the Lord’s Nativity

Last Friday, Romfilatelia unveiled its latest stamp issue dedicated to the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, titled “Christmas 2024.” The philatelic collection features two stamps, a perforated souvenir sheet, a “first-day” cover, and a special philatelic folder produced in a limited edition. The collection’s centrepiece is the stamp on the souvenir sheet, with a…

Nov 26, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Government advances Religious Freedom Day proposal

The Romanian Government authorised a draft law on November 14 that establishes the National Day of Religious Freedom and the Contribution of Faith Communities to Romanian Society. This day will be observed annually on May 16. The draft law suggests organising cultural, religious, and educational events to respect religious freedom and the relationship between the…

Nov 22, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Alarming rise in Christian Persecution over the last two years, reports ‘Aid to the Church in Need’

Christian persecution has seen a troubling increase over the past two years, according to a report conducted in 18 countries by the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need. The report, covering the years 2022 to 2024, was presented to the British Parliament on October 22 and highlights a particularly severe rise in persecution…

Nov 1, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu