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…
The Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Orthodox Churches met in Strasbourg last week to prepare for its plenary session scheduled for May 2026. The meeting, held November 16–18, took place at the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, an institution of the Lutheran World Federation that…
Priests from the Southern Bavaria Deanery gathered in Munich last Saturday for extensive discussions on introducing and strengthening Orthodox Religious Education in schools across Germany. The meeting took place at the Annunciation Romanian Orthodox Parish in Munich and was chaired by Dean Fr. Alexandru Nan. The event was structured in two sessions: a thematic conference…
Amid the rush of daily life, you may have missed an interesting piece of information: Did you know that the first five Orthodox saints who lived in the 21st century and have since been canonised are all Romanian? The list includes Saint Sofian of Antim, Saint Dionysius of Colciu, Saint Petronius the Prodromite, Saint Antonina…
On the feast of Saint Andrew the First-Called, Protector of Romania and of the National Cathedral (November 30), and on Romania’s National Day (December 1), the services at the National Cathedral will take place according to the following schedule: On 30 November 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., the Midnight Office, Matins and the…
Bishop Benedict of Sălaj issued a firm message on Tuesday for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: “We state clearly: No to violence!” His Grace stressed that “the Church is attentive to the suffering of the world and especially to the silent and hidden suffering of many women, whether in families…
The “Nativity of the Lord” and “Saint Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist” Romanian Orthodox Parish in Luxembourg celebrated its 30th anniversary in mid-November. The liturgical program began on Saturday, November 15, with the Sacrament of Holy Unction celebrated by His Eminence Serafim, Metropolitan of Germany, Central and Northern Europe, together with seven priests from Luxembourg,…