“St John the Baptist is a guardian and protector of families, and a helper of those who have no children,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said on Wednesday, on the feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Forerunner. His Beatitude recalled that the birth of St John was the fruit of the persevering prayers of…
The University of Birmingham has secured €2.5 million in European funding for a research project that will examine manuscripts of the Holy Fathers and other ecclesiastical writers in search of previously unrecognised witnesses to the New Testament text. According to a university press release, the project will be led by Professor Hugh Houghton, a specialist…
Two previously unknown sermons by Blessed Augustine have been identified in a twelfth-century Latin manuscript preserved at a monastery in Poland, according to the University of Würzburg in Germany. The discovery was made during research conducted by Professor Christian Tornau of the German university. His study began in 2024 when he was asked to examine…
Orthodox and Catholic bishops in Canada discussed the challenges posed by artificial intelligence during the annual meeting of the Orthodox–Catholic Dialogue Commission. The meeting took place on 18–19 June at St Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto. Representing the Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops were His Eminence Metropolitan Ilarion Rudnyk of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada…
The Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe organised the colloquium ‘Human Enhancement or Human Deification?’ to examine the challenges posed by new technologies and digitalisation to the spiritual life, according to Orthodoxie.com. The event took place on 20–21 June in Suresnes and Paris. It was organised by the Metropolis’s Department for Theology and…
A new class of Romanian students has completed its theological studies at the Rome extension of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest. The graduation ceremony took place on Wednesday at the Diocesan Centre of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy. The ceremony included the graduates’ oath of fidelity to the Romanian Orthodox Church, marking…
“God can accomplish all things when a person does not lose hope and remains steadfast in the faith,” His Grace Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland said Wednesday during the patronal feast of Valea Mare Monastery in Covasna County, dedicated to the Nativity of St John the Baptist. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishops…
As an expression of profound sorrow for those affected by the recent earthquakes that struck Venezuela, causing loss of life, injuries and extensive material damage, the Romanian Patriarchate conveys a message of Christian solidarity to the Venezuelan people as they endure this devastating calamity. At the same time, we express our compassion for the Romanian…
A new community and cultural centre will be established for Romanians living in the towns of Tortosa and Gandesa in southern Catalonia, Spain, according to a press release. The project, entitled Light for the Soul – The Orthodox Church, the Home of Romanians in the Diaspora, has been implemented by the Parish of the Nativity…
His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada took part in the plenary session of the Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops (CCOB) on Wednesday, June 17, in Toronto. The hierarchs noted the continued growth in the number of catechumens and converts while also addressing the challenges facing Orthodox communities, including the demographic decline of rural parishes.…
Two candidates for the office of Metropolitan of Bessarabia were nominated on Saturday, following the proceedings of the Metropolitan Synod convened in Chișinău. Following consultations and a secret ballot, the members of the Synod proposed His Grace Bishop Antonie of Bălți and His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia as candidates for the office. After…
A theological seminar dedicated to ecology will take place in Paris on 12 September 2026, with the aim of fostering lasting cooperation among theological institutes in France and the Benelux countries. The decision was taken at last week’s meeting of the Orthodox Bishops’ Conference of Benelux (OECB). Those present included Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium (Ecumenical…
The Very Rev. Archimandrite Ioan Meiu, Representative of the Romanian Patriarchate in the Holy Land and Superior of the Romanian Settlements at the Holy Places, has announced the establishment of an organisation and a dedicated website that will facilitate support for ongoing works at the Romanian settlements in these lands blessed by the footsteps of…
His Eminence Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland underlined on Sunday the role of the Athonite Saints in the life of the Church, noting that they understood that “the true wealth of a person is the presence of God within the heart.” Archbishop Atanasie celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Parish of St…
“Let us live as spiritually free people who seek first the Kingdom of God’s love through prayer and good works,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel urged on Sunday at the historic Chapel of St George of the patriarchal residence in Bucharest. His Beatitude explained that a person’s foremost concern should be the attainment of the Kingdom…
The only Romanian Orthodox parish in Malta celebrated its patronal feast dedicated to the Nativity of St John the Baptist on Sunday with a Baptismal Divine Liturgy, during which two Maltese young men received the Holy Mystery of Baptism. The event brought together Romanian Orthodox faithful living in Malta, as well as friends of the…
The Romanian Patriarchate is concerned about the very difficult situation facing the Romanian Samson family in Sweden, following the separation of their two daughters, Sara and Tiana, from their parents, as a result of a decision by the Swedish local authorities on 2 December 2022. The Church has always taught that the primary responsibility for…
“Within a priest’s family there should be no competition, but rather a shared ministry to Christ, never forgetting that both of you are one in Christ and that you must have the mind of Christ,” Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland urged priests’ wives during the fifth International Gathering of the Saint Nona Group. The…
Two seminars held in Brussels on June 8-9 brought together representatives of Churches, European institutions and academia to examine the impact of artificial intelligence on humanity. The first seminar, hosted by the European Commission, focused on the theme “The Ethical and Social Impact of Artificial Intelligence.” Participants analysed the opportunities and risks associated with AI-based…
Romania’s Acting Prime Minister, Ilie Bolojan, visited the Heroes’ Monastery of the Ascension in the village of Stoianovca, Republic of Moldova, over the weekend. The Romanian official was welcomed Saturday by Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia and the monastic community of the monastery, which was built near the Romanian Military Cemetery of Honour at Țiganca,…