pastoral care of families

Patriarch Daniel: True theology is a science of salvation and the Church’s missionary consciousness

Patriarch Daniel of Romania has called on Orthodox theology faculties to combine academic excellence with prayer, spiritual formation, and the Church’s pastoral mission, warning that theological education risks secularisation when it loses its connection to liturgical life. In a message to the 11th Congress of Orthodox Theology Faculties and Departments of the Romanian Patriarchate, held…

Nov 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Family ties keep Romanian diaspora connected to home, survey finds

Family is one of the main links connecting Romanians living abroad with their country of origin, according to the Diaspora Barometer, a study conducted by INSCOP Research for Banca Transilvania Group. According to the research, 56% of Romanians have connections with the diaspora, whether through their own experience of migration, family members or other people…

Oct 30, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel calls for prayer and practical support for families at Bucharest pilgrimage

“Our encounter here and now with St Demetrius the New and St Elizabeth of Pasărea, through the veneration of their holy relics, shows us that God is at work in every generation and continually calls people to holiness,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel told participants in Saturday’s Way of the Saints procession in Bucharest. His Beatitude…

Oct 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox biblical scholars examine challenges facing families at monastery symposium

Romanian Orthodox biblical scholars examined the family and the challenges it faces in contemporary society during a two-day meeting held on Tuesday and Wednesday. The gathering took place at St Elijah the Prophet Monastery in Nușeni, Bistrița-Năsăud County, Romania. The symposium, entitled “The Family: A Unity in Two Hypostases. Scriptural Perspectives on the Relationship Between…

Oct 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian priest and wife mark diamond wedding anniversary at cathedral in Quebec

The Romanian Orthodox Cathedral in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, Canada, hosted a special tribute last Sunday to an inspiring family: Archpriest Emeritus Mircea Panciuk and his wife, Ileana, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in the presence of Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada. Following the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Ioan Casian celebrated a Te Deum, a service of thanksgiving…

Oct 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox clergy in North America discuss strengthening family and parish life

Clergy from the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas discussed the family’s role in the Church’s life at their annual conference, held late last week at All Saints Parish in Scarborough, Toronto, Canada. The gathering opened with addresses by Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas and Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada. Fr Petru Neaga, parish priest…

Oct 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

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