Orthodox hierarchs in the United Kingdom were among the signatories of an appeal opposing the legalisation of assisted suicide. “We must provide care, not killing,” the bishops said. The letter was published ahead of the return to the British Parliament of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would have allowed terminally ill…
Monday marked 34 years since the Diocesan Assembly in Chișinău decided, on 14 September 1992, to reactivate the Metropolis of Bessarabia. The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church noted the decision on 19 December 1992 through a Patriarchal and Synodal Act, recognising it as an autonomous metropolis following the unrevised calendar, an integral part…
The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand has announced it will continue construction of the St Dumitru Stăniloae Cultural and Missionary Centre, the episcopal chapel, and facilities for the Romanian school in Melbourne. With support from Romania’s Department for Romanians Abroad, which provided funding of 2 million lei, the project is entering its…
His Grace Bishop Mihail of Australia and New Zealand celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the Dormition of the Mother of God Parish in Christchurch, New Zealand. During the service, he also blessed the cross to be installed on the church tower. His Grace congratulated the city’s Romanian community, which attended the Divine Liturgy…
Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis was received by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel at the Patriarchal Residence on Saturday. “Romania and Greece are united by very strong ties that have endured for centuries,” the Greek official emphasised. Evangelia Grammatika, Ambassador of Greece to Bucharest, also attended the official visit. Discussions focused on relations between the two…
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania received Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, during an official visit to the Patriarchal Residence on Friday, 11 September 2026. The delegation included Mara Roman, Head of the European Commission Representation in Romania; Cătălin Gheran, a member of Mînzatu’s Cabinet; Rareș Achiriloaie, Cabinet member and communications adviser;…
Huedin Romanian Martyrs Day is being observed for the first time on 10 September, following its establishment under Law No. 156/2026. The commemoration brings renewed attention to the suffering of Romanians in northern Transylvania under the Horthy regime. Following the Second Vienna Award of 30 August 1940, Romania was compelled to cede northern Transylvania to…
Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova of the Archdiocese of Bucharest said on Wednesday that the presence of St Anne’s relics in the Romanian capital represents “a great blessing for the entire country and especially for families who do not have children but hope to have them”. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated at St George the…
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel highlighted St Pachomius the Great as a model of communion in Christ in a message sent to the 32nd International Conference on Orthodox Spirituality, being held from 8 to 12 September at Bose Monastery in Italy. The Patriarch of Romania said the legacy of St Pachomius, to whom this year’s conference…
Estonian composer Arvo Pärt has been awarded the 2026 Goethe Medal for his outstanding contribution to contemporary culture. Orthodox spirituality is an essential part of his creative work, with his music deeply connected to faith and sacred texts. The distinction was presented at the end of August during a ceremony in Weimar and was accepted…
A new edition of the International Ecumenical Conference on Orthodox Spirituality is taking place at Bose Monastery in Italy from 8 to 11 September. This year’s conference is entitled Abba Pachomius: At the Origins of Community Life. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel sent a message to the conference on Wednesday, while Patriarch John X of Antioch…
“The feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God should be an encouragement to all parents who have children and to those who do not, but hope to have them,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said on Tuesday at the historic St George the Great Martyr Chapel of the Patriarchal Residence. The Patriarch of Romania…
Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești consecrated a chapel on Saturday at the Central Detention Centre of the Bucharest General Directorate of Police (DGPMB). Concelebrating were Archimandrite Ciprian Grădinaru, ecclesiarch of the National Cathedral Chapel; Fr Ciprian Ion Ioniță, patriarchal adviser; Fr Mihai Hau, honorary patriarchal adviser; Fr Ionuț Bărbulescu, Archpriest of Bucharest’s Sector 4;…
“What, then, does the Church mean? It is the community of believers in which God’s work and His grace dwell, and in which the Holy Trinity is reflected,” Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada said on Saturday during the patronal feast of the Romanian Orthodox parish in Gatineau, Quebec. The occasion marked the completion of an…
Assistant Bishop Maxim of Danubius of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy was ordained on Tuesday at the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste Parish in Moncalieri, Italy. “I want the ministry I am beginning to be one of working together, in unity and obedience, for the good of the clergy and faithful,” the new hierarch…
Assistant Bishop Iachint of the Pacific of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand emphasised on Tuesday, the feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God, that “holiness is cultivated within the family, and the Mother of God was born into the family of two faithful people who prayed together”. Bishop Mihail…
The Archdiocese of Râmnic has dedicated September to St Anthimos the Iberian and to fellowship between the Romanian and Georgian peoples. Cultural, sporting and artistic events, as well as pilgrimages, are being organised throughout the month. According to the diocese, the events held during this period recognise St Anthimos’ spiritual, cultural and administrative contribution as…
On the feast of Sts Joachim and Anne, Archbishop Calinic of Suceava and Rădăuți urged families hoping to have children to pray and cultivate patience in humility. “Make your family and your home a place of prayer, remembering that peace, faithfulness and the good tears born of humility bring down the Kingdom of Heaven into…
Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești emphasised the value of the gift of life and the family’s role in raising children at the Patriarchal Cathedral on Tuesday: “Every child who is born is a gift and a blessing from God.” The Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop spoke about the veneration of the Most Holy Virgin from the…
“The luminous garment of the faithful and pure soul is the very presence of God’s grace within human beings,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said on Sunday at St George Chapel of the Patriarchal Residence, where he explained the Parable of the Wedding Feast. The Patriarch of Romania highlighted four main teachings drawn from Sunday’s Gospel.…