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,…
Romania’s National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the June 13–15, 1990 Mineriad was marked on Monday with a memorial service in Bucharest, at the initiative of the Association of the Victims of the 1990–1991 Mineriads. Led by Fr. Florin Ionică, counsellor at the Cemeteries, Monuments and Funeral Services Department of the Archdiocese of…
Romania’s Senate marks 162 years since its establishment on Tuesday, June 17. The institution’s first president was Metropolitan Nifon Rusailă of Hungro-Wallachia, who later became Romania’s first Primate Metropolitan. The upper chamber of Parliament was created in 1864 at the initiative of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza through the “Developing Statute of the Paris Convention,” according…
The Social Mission Diaconia expanded its activities across the Republic of Moldova throughout 2025, reaching 70 communities and mobilising more than 1,200 volunteers. The social service arm of the Metropolis of Bessarabia supported 26,564 beneficiaries last year through 18 projects. According to the annual report, Diaconia volunteers responded to local community needs, while community centres…
As Romania marked the 75th anniversary of the Bărăgan deportations, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel has highlighted the role of personal prayer and participation in the Divine Liturgy in sustaining thousands of victims during one of the communist regime’s most severe campaigns of internal displacement. In a message delivered on the occasion of a commemorative event…
“By calling His disciples to the apostolate, the Lord Jesus Christ prepared the mystery of establishing His Church as the gathering of peoples in the love of the Holy Trinity,” Patriarch Daniel said on Sunday at the historic chapel of Saint George the Great Martyr in Bucharest. His Beatitude noted that twelve men were called…
Basilica.ro, the official news agency of the Romanian Patriarchate, marks its 18th anniversary on Tuesday since publishing its first news report online, an event that marked the beginning of its editorial activity. The Basilica News Agency is part of the Basilica Media Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate, established on October 27, 2007, at the initiative…
Tuesday, June 16, marks the tenth anniversary of the Holy and Great Council of Crete, the only gathering of its kind held by the Orthodox Church in the 21st century. The Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church brought together hierarchs from ten of the fourteen autocephalous Orthodox Churches on the island of Crete.…