A rare depiction of Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” has been uncovered in a chamber tomb in the Hisardere Necropolis in the ancient city of Nicaea (modern-day Iznik), in Turkey’s Bursa province, Turkiye Today reported. Researchers consider the scene to be the only known example of its kind identified so far in Anatolia, describing it…
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel elevated 30 clergy to higher ecclesiastical ranks, stressing the responsibility and demands of clerical ministry. “This ministry in the Church is a form of martyrdom — to be honourable, to be correct and to be diligent,” the Patriarch said. Speaking during the ceremony held at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest last…
A new Romanian Orthodox parish is being formed in Kilkenny, Ireland. The parish will be dedicated to Saint Arsenius (Boca) of Prislop and Saint Cainnech of Aghaboe (Kenneth), one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland celebrated the Divine Liturgy on December 7 with the Romanian community in Kilkenny. Before…
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…
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…
Romanian Patriarch Daniel attended the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the historic Chapel of Saint George at the Patriarchal Residence, where he warned that worldly concerns can become obstacles to responding to God’s call to salvation. In his homily, the Patriarch of Romania reflected on the Parable of the Great Banquet from the Gospel reading…
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel received on Friday, December 12, 2025, the Ambassador of Germany to Romania, H.E. Angela Ganninger, for an introductory visit at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest. The ambassador was accompanied by Theresa von Saldern, Director of the Cultural Affairs Department at the German Embassy in Bucharest. Patriarch Daniel welcomed Ambassador Ganninger to…
In an interview with Formula AS magazine, Father Daniel Corîu spoke about the joys, difficulties and unexpected collaborations that accompany his pastoral mission in Japan. Father Corîu has served in Japan for 12 years, ministering to around 200 families, most of them Romanian–Japanese. He is the only Romanian Orthodox priest in the country, after the…
His Grace Bishop Timotei of Spain and Portugal inaugurated last Friday a new socio-educational centre for the Romanian community in Torrent, a town located 7 kilometres from Valencia. He was joined in the service by Father Vasile Pop, diocesan advisor for education and youth activities, and by Archdeacon Spiridon Burlacu, diocesan advisor for economic affairs.…
His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia met last week in Chișinău with the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Moldova, Anatolie Nosatîi, to define the priorities for cooperation for 2026. The meeting took place on Wednesday, December 3, as part of the collaboration agreement signed by the two institutions in 2023. The discussions focused…
What makes human life valuable? What does freedom truly mean? How do we respond to fear, social pressure, and a culture that leaves the most vulnerable exposed? The reflections offered by Mr. David Bradshaw, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Kentucky, bring a faith-rooted perspective that illuminates the meaning of courage, responsibility, and sacrifice.…
“Purity of heart is difficult to preserve in this world — but not impossible,” said Bishop Damaschin of Dorna, Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți, in an interview with Lumina Newspaper about the challenges facing young people in contemporary society. He stressed that, despite the overwhelming flood of digital stimuli and temptations…
Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia said on Monday at the National Cathedral in Bucharest that “the Great Union was not the result of a spontaneous event but an ideal fulfilled through many sacrifices, carefully prepared and long awaited.” In his address during the Te Deum service for Romania’s National Day at the Romanian People’s…
The Feast Day of Saint Andrew the First-Called, Patron Saint of Romania and of the National Cathedral, was celebrated last Sunday with a spiritual programme at the new Patriarchal Cathedral. The celebration began with the services of Midnight Office, Matins and the Hours, followed by the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Auxiliary Bishops Varlaam of Ploiești,…
Archimandrite Andrei Scrima, a leading figure of the “Burning Bush” hesychast movement, was born 100 years ago on 1 December 1925 in Gheorgheni, Harghita County. He studied in Bucharest, following an extensive intellectual path that included mathematics, philosophy and theology. Scrima became the assistant of philosopher Anton Dumitriu, through whom he encountered the “Burning Bush”…
Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina took part on Monday in Romania’s National Day celebrations held in Iași. In his remarks, the Metropolitan recalled the supreme sacrifice made by Romanian soldiers, as well as the role of the political and intellectual elite who committed themselves to fulfilling this historic national ideal. “One hundred and seven…
His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia met in Chișinău on Tuesday with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Alexandru Munteanu. The Metropolitan praised the pace and consistency with which the new government has assumed its public responsibilities. Metropolitan Petru outlined major initiatives the Metropolis plans to implement in the coming period, emphasising the…
A new international report finds that more than 100 million people live in countries where access to the Bible is limited or risky. Yet the analysis also signals hope: needs are now more clearly identified than ever, allowing global support to reach those seeking Scripture more effectively. The report, published on the Bible Access List…
His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas met with Romanian clergy during the General Assembly of the Southern USA Deanery, held November 21-22. The meeting took place at the Church of St Mary in Cedar Park, Texas, where the Metropolitan and local clergy gathered in the newly consecrated church —…
The new headquarters of the Consulate General of Romania in Birmingham was blessed on Monday by Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The blessing ceremony took place in the presence of the Consul General Mihaela Savu and members of the consular staff. During the event, speakers highlighted the importance of ongoing dialogue between…