pastoral care of families

Archbishop Atanasie: Christian families in the diaspora face a choice between fragmentation and renewal

“The Christian family rediscovers its vocation to be a light in contemporary society, a living witness to Christ’s love and a foretaste of the Kingdom even in the midst of the world,” said Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. His Eminence participated on Tuesday in the first session of presentations at the International…

Oct 13, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Paisie: Christian families pass on faith through example, not tradition alone

“The Christian family remains one of the fundamental settings in which faith is passed on, not because it automatically guarantees religious continuity, but because it is where children first encounter concrete expressions of communion, responsibility and a relationship with God,” Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia said on Tuesday at the International Theological Symposium in…

Oct 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

International theology symposium in Bucharest examines challenges facing Christian families

The International Theological Symposium, titled “The Christian Family – Light and Witness in Contemporary Society”, opened on Tuesday in the Patriarch Teoctist Aula Magna at the Palace of the Patriarchate in Bucharest. Among those attending were His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel; Fr Wilhelm Dancă, Vice-President of the Romanian Academy and representative of its President, Marius Andruh;…

Oct 9, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ten members of same family baptised Orthodox at Romanian parish in Texas

The Nativity of the Mother of God Romanian Orthodox Parish in Austin, Texas, witnessed a deeply moving spiritual occasion late last month when ten members of the same family received Orthodox baptism. Accompanied by ten different godparents, the family members participated in the Baptismal Divine Liturgy following more than a year of catechesis, prayer, study,…

Oct 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Sport is essential to the integral development of children and young people

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel highlighted the role of sport in the physical, educational and spiritual development of children and young people on Monday, saying that discipline, perseverance, teamwork and friendship gained through sporting activities are more valuable than material prizes. The Patriarch of Romania made the remarks in a message to participants in the Fair…

Oct 6, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Deacon and psychiatrist Rareș Ionașcu: Children need unconditional love, clear boundaries and present parents

Deacon Dr Rareș Ionașcu is a psychiatrist and serves the Romanian Orthodox Church in the diaspora. He practises psychiatry in France, in the Angoulême area, and serves as a deacon at the Romanian Orthodox Parish of St Joseph and St John of San Francisco in Bordeaux. Actively engaged in dialogue between medical science and Christian…

Sep 23, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Nativity of the Mother of God offers encouragement to parents and couples hoping for children

“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…

Sep 10, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Assistant Bishop Iachint of the Pacific: Holiness is cultivated within the family

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…

Sep 9, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop Calinic to couples hoping for children: Become ‘gateways through which grace may pass’

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…

Sep 9, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam: Every child is a gift and blessing from God

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…

Sep 9, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

ITO 2026 speakers highlight family, faith and human connection in confronting addiction

Andreea Ogăraru, a mother of six, and Dr Radu Țincu, a senior physician in Intensive Care and Toxicology at Bucharest’s Floreasca Emergency Clinical Hospital, spoke with participants at the 2026 International Meeting of Orthodox Youth (ITO 2026). The event took place on Tuesday evening at the National Cathedral in Bucharest and was broadcast live by…

Sep 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu