The Assembly of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Spain and Portugal convened on Tuesday at the Diocesan Center in Madrid, where activity reports for the year 2024 were presented. The event began with the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by His Grace Bishop Timotei of Spain and Portugal, followed by a Te Deum service conducted by His…
On Monday, the newly elected Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland officiated the Vespers service in Italian at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, where the tomb of St. Paul the Apostle is located. Numerous Romanian clerics from the Lazio region were part of the clergy assembly. At the…
This year, the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate of the Romanian Patriarchate celebrates 35 years since its reestablishment. This historic milestone will be marked with various events throughout the year. Essay Contest for Ukrainian Children The first event, a contest for children and youth from the Ukrainian community in Romania, will begin in February and run for…
Internationally renowned theologians and professors will participate in the symposium “The First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325): Orthodox Faith – The Foundation of Church Unity” organized by the Romanian Patriarchate from May 13 to 17 in Bucharest. Distinguished Participants The list of notable guests includes: His Eminence Metropolitan Job (Getcha) of Pisidia (Ecumenical Patriarchate), His…
Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești represented His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel at the fourth evening of prayer for Christian unity this year, which took place Tuesday evening at the Armenian Archdiocesan Cathedral “Archangels Michael and Gabriel” in Bucharest. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, held worldwide from January 18-25, is focused this year on…
The Romanian community in Cyprus held its annual Vasilopita cutting event, a local tradition dedicated to honouring Saint Basil the Great. The event was organized last week at the headquarters of the Romanian Alliance in Cyprus. Father Petre Matei, the priest of the Romanian Orthodox community in Cyprus, conducted the service preceding the cutting of…
Sunday saw the ordination to the diaconate of Hany El-Sayed Ismail, a 39-year-old with Egyptian roots. The ordination was officiated by His Grace Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova at Kretzulescu church in Bucharest. Hany’s grandfather was Egyptian, and although he was born in Romania, he was given uncommon names for the region. As Assistant Bishop…
Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia represented Patriarch Daniel at the first evening of prayer for Christian unity this year, held Saturday at the Parcul Domeniilor-Cașin Church in Bucharest. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, observed worldwide from January 18 to 25, is guided this year by the theme, “Do you believe this?” (John…
The Parish Council of the Romanian Orthodox Parish “Saint Mary” in Sydney has decided to begin construction on the Cultural, Missionary, and Social Centre “Saint Callinicus of Cernica” in Sydney, Australia. The announcement was made on Saturday during a parish meeting attended by Bishop Mihail of Australia and New Zealand. His Grace was briefed on…
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…