Solemn Year 2026

Patriarch Daniel urges support for Romanian families abroad on Migrants’ Sunday

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church has called for stronger spiritual and family ties with Romanians living abroad, saying Orthodox parishes in the diaspora have become places where migrants can preserve their faith, language and cultural identity. In a message for the Sunday of Romanian Migrants, observed this year on 16 August,…

Aug 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian priest’s wife in Germany says diaspora ministry requires balancing parish mission and family life

Mihaela-Iuliana Păun is the wife of Fr. Ionuț Păun, the parish priest of the Romanian Orthodox Church dedicated to St. Parascheva and the Holy Martyrs Kilian, Coloman, and Totnan in Bamberg, Germany. She has lived there for almost seventeen years together with her husband and their four children. She teaches German in adult education, and…

Aug 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Assistant Bishop Timotei: Seek the light through constant spiritual struggle against darkness

“Let us seek the light through a constant struggle against darkness,” His Grace Timotei of Prahova, Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, urged the faithful on Sunday at the Patriarchal Cathedral. Reflecting on the Gospel reading for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, the bishop explained that the power of evil is limited and that…

Aug 10, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Macarie urges faithful to entrust families to the Mother of God during Dormition Fast

“Let us entrust our families, our children and young people, our parents and the elderly, the sick and the lonely, our homes, our journeys, our worries, our trials, and all our needs to the Mother of God,” Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe said in a message marking the beginning of the Dormition Fast. The bishop…

Aug 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Icon found intact after house fire offers hope to Romanian family of six children

A partially preserved icon discovered inside a home destroyed by fire has become a symbol of hope for a family with six children in Agafton, Botoșani County, after firefighters found it among the ruins. “Sometimes, even after the greatest disaster, something remains to remind us not to lose hope. This icon was found by firefighters…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian, European prison chaplains meet to share pastoral best practices

Prison chaplains from Romania and several European countries gathered for the International Conference “Best Practices in Conducting Moral and Religious Activities in Prisons in Romania and Europe,” held last week in Timișoara, Arad and Deva. The conference opened on 30 June at Timișoara Prison with a Te Deum service officiated by Orthodox prison chaplains, led…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ioan Casian: Diocese of Canada Congress seeks God’s will for Church and communities

“This is not merely an administrative meeting or an occasion to present activity reports, but a moment of ecclesial responsibility, in which we seek together to discern God’s will for the life of the Church and for the communities we serve,” said Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada at the Congress of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese…

Jul 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel calls Romanian diaspora youth ambassadors of the Christian faith and national values

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church has encouraged Romanian children and young people living abroad to remain faithful ambassadors of Christianity and Romanian values, emphasising the importance of preserving their language, cultural heritage and spiritual roots through active ties with their homeland. In an official message addressed to participants in the 17th…

Jul 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Youth Gathering unveils ITO 2026 logo inspired by National Cathedral and Brâncuși

The visual identity of the 2026 International Orthodox Youth Meeting (ITO) has been unveiled, featuring a logo inspired by the mosaics of Romania’s National Cathedral and Constantin Brâncuși’s iconic Infinite Column. According to the organisers, the central element of the monogram is “a minimalist representation of the silhouettes of young people joyfully participating in the…

Jul 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bucharest to host 2,400 young people for International Orthodox Youth Meeting

Around 2,400 young people from Romania and abroad are expected to take part in this year’s International Orthodox Youth Meeting (ITO), which will be held in Bucharest from 31 August to 3 September. The gathering will be held under the theme Young People, the Family and the Meaning of Life in Christ, reflecting the Romanian…

Jun 30, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: St John the Baptist is a protector of families and childless couples

“St John the Baptist is a guardian and protector of families, and a helper of those who have no children,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said on Wednesday, on the feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Forerunner. His Beatitude recalled that the birth of St John was the fruit of the persevering prayers of…

Jun 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu