Israeli researchers have discovered a Byzantine monastic complex over 1,500 years old in southern Israel. According to the Israel Antiquities Authority, a large colourful mosaic was found on the floor of the ruins during excavations for the construction of a new neighbourhood. The mosaic features an Old Testament inscription from Deuteronomy 28:6: “Blessed are you when you…
The hierarchs of the Metropolis of Bessarabia have expressed their desire for the Romanian Patriarch to visit the Republic of Moldova. This could mark the first visit of a Romanian Patriarch beyond the Prut River. The invitation was formalized following the Metropolitan Synod held Thursday in Chişinău. The Synod expressed its intention to officially invite…
The year 2025 has been proclaimed the Solemn Year of the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate and the Commemorative Year of 20th-century Romanian Orthodox Spiritual Fathers and Confessors. In this context, several significant events are scheduled to take place in the coming months. Highlights include: February 4, 2025 – Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate The…
The Metropolitan Synod of the Metropolis of Bessarabia convened Thursday for a working session chaired by His Eminence Metropolitan Petru, Archbishop of Chişinău, Metropolitan of Bessarabia, and Exarch of the Territories. Joining him were Bishop Antonie of Bălți and Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia, as the Synod delved into key matters concerning the spiritual, pastoral,…
On Wednesday, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia delivered a message to mark the National Culture Day, emphasizing that this celebration transcends geographical boundaries and unites both banks of the Prut River “in a single spirit of Romanian identity and Orthodox spirituality.” How the Church preserved national identity The Metropolitan of Bessarabia highlighted the pivotal…
On Romania’s National Day of Culture, Patriarch Daniel published a message emphasizing the Romanian Orthodox Church’s significant role in safeguarding and promoting Christian culture during the oppressive years of communist rule. Historical Context and Cultural Contributions The Patriarch began his message by underscoring that the history of the Romanian Orthodox Church is mainly synonymous with…
Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the EU met on Tuesday for the first time this year during a working session held at the Orthodox Ambiorix Center in Brussels. Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium chaired the meeting, which brought together representatives of the Romanian and Bulgarian Patriarchates and the Orthodox Church of Greece. The Romanian Orthodox…
Last week, His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat marked his name day by sharing lunch with the beneficiaries of the Emergency Social Centre for Homeless People at Pădurea Verde in Timișoara, whom he called “brothers of Christ.” The metropolitan brought dozens of containers of warm food and dined alongside the shelter residents. “Do you see…
During the Epiphany season, Romanians in Zagreb gathered in prayer to usher in the New Year at the city’s Romanian church. The liturgical program began last Saturday evening with the Great Vespers service and continued on Sunday through Tuesday with the Divine Liturgy. Following Sunday’s Liturgy, Fr. Nicolae Ceruță, the parish priest of the Romanian…
Last year, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church approved the canonization of sixteen 20th-century confessors and spiritual fathers. Their canonization will be publicly proclaimed as part of the program for the Centennial Year of the Romanian Patriarchate—2025. This year, the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrates 140 years since obtaining autocephaly and 100 years since being…
Last Friday, His Excellency Ihor Prokopchuk, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Romania, visited the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate of the Romanian Patriarchate in Sighetu Marmației, Maramureș County. During the visit, the two institutions identified potential collaborative projects. Ambassador Prokopchuk also discussed with Vicar Nicolae Lauruc the needs of the Ukrainian community in Romania, the status of ethnic minorities…
On Sunday, nearly 300 Romanian Orthodox faithful gathered at the Diocesan Centre in Dublin for the first Divine Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland following his enthronement. Guests from France and Romania attended the service, including representatives from Crasna Monastery, where Bishop Nectarie previously served as abbot, his family, and his spiritual…
On Sunday, Bishop Ignatie of Huși addressed the Romanian Orthodox faithful in Galway, Ireland, explaining that true repentance involves transforming a sinful and malevolent mindset. The bishop was in Galway after participating the previous day in the enthronement of Bishop Nectarie as the new Bishop of Ireland and Iceland. Reflecting on the exhortation of St.…
Following his participation in the enthronement of the new Bishop of Ireland and Iceland on Saturday, Archbishop-elect Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the “Exaltation of the Holy Cross” Parish in Dublin. During the homily following the Gospel reading, Archbishop-elect Atanasie explained the meaning of repentance to…
“The obedience entrusted to me brings into my life a new experience, that of assuming responsibility for the flock, of bearing on my shoulders, with paternal responsibility, an extensive spiritual family, of which I am now ordained as shepherd, guardian, and servant,” said His Grace Bishop Nectarie on Saturday, at his enthronement ceremony as Bishop…
His Grace Bishop Nectarie was officially enthroned as the first Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Ireland and Iceland on Saturday following the Divine Liturgy held at the “St. Columba” Church of the Dublin II Parish. Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe presented the new bishop with the episcopal insignia, including the mantle, cross, engolpions, kamilavka,…
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel sent a message on the occasion of the enthronement of His Grace Bishop Nectarie Petre as the first Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Ireland and Iceland. The event took place at St. Columba’s Church of Dublin II Parish. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel reminded Bishop Nectarie that he has “the…
The National Cathedral in Bucharest will be consecrated on Sunday, October 26, 2025, by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church. Marking the Romanian Patriarchate’s Centennial The event coincides with the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate. In 2025, the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrates 140…
His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, prays for the health of His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania, who is hospitalised at the Evangelismos General Hospital in Athens, Greece. For six days, Archbishop Anastasios has been in critical condition and is currently under the close observation of a team…
His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos, the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Ireland (Ecumenical Patriarchate), has expressed openness to collaborating with His Grace Bishop Nectarie, who is set to be enthroned on Saturday in Dublin as the first Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Ireland and Iceland. “I wish him all the best for the new assignment!” conveyed Metropolitan Iakovos…