Solemn Year 2026

Romanian Patriarchate voices concern over Samson family case in Sweden, backs repatriation of children

The Romanian Patriarchate is concerned about the very difficult situation facing the Romanian Samson family in Sweden, following the separation of their two daughters, Sara and Tiana, from their parents, as a result of a decision by the Swedish local authorities on 2 December 2022. The Church has always taught that the primary responsibility for…

Jun 23, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Entire family received into Orthodoxy in Norway on Parents and Children Sunday

On the Sunday of Parents and Children, Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe baptised an Anglo-Norwegian family at the Romanian Orthodox parish church in Ålesund, Norway. Victor John Scattergood and Martina Scattergood, together with their two children, Angelica and Benedict, were baptised by Bishop Macarie, who reflected on the significance of the occasion. “In the Romanian…

Jun 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Hon Metropolitan Nifon on Children’s Day: Children reflect God’s blessing upon the world

“Children are a testimony to the blessing poured out by God upon the world, renewing in our hearts an awareness of the greatness of the gift of life,” said His Eminence Hon Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Târgoviște and Patriarchal Exarch, on Monday, on the occasion of International Children’s Day. His Eminence highlighted the value of…

Jun 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Basilica Media Centre a gift from God to Church and Romanian people

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, on Monday of the Holy Spirit, marked the patronal feast of the Basilica Media Centre by praising its role in communicating the life of the Church and promoting Orthodox values in contemporary society. In a message addressed to the staff of the Romanian Patriarchate’s media institutions, the Patriarch described the Basilica…

Jun 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Western & Southern Europe Metropolis Pentecost Message: Modern man risks losing true communion

In their Pentecost pastoral letter addressed to Romanians in Western and Southern Europe, the hierarchs of the Metropolis warn that “amid the ceaseless noise of the modern world, man risks losing precisely what matters most: true communion.” Drawing on the words of Scripture, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4), the…

May 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel says Romanians abroad carried ancestral faith across the world

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel has called on Romanians living abroad to preserve their Christian faith, family unity and national identity in a message issued for the Day of Romanians Everywhere, marked this Sunday. In his message, the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church described the celebration as an occasion to reaffirm the values that unite…

May 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel’s Message on Int’l Children’s Day: The Christian family is an Icon of the Holy Trinity’s love

Patriarch Daniel has called on Christian families to rediscover the spiritual vocation of the home as “a space of faith and generous love” in his message for International Children’s Day 2026, celebrated this year together with the Feast of the Holy Trinity. In the message, entitled “The Christian Family – Icon of the Love of…

May 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel urges stronger pastoral support for Christian families

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church on Monday called for renewed pastoral support for the Christian family, warning that contemporary society faces profound spiritual, demographic, and moral crises that threaten family life and the transmission of faith between generations. The Patriarch delivered the message at the opening of the spring pastoral and…

May 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox clergy discuss challenges facing Christian family at Bucharest conference

Priests from the Archdiocese of Bucharest highlighted contemporary challenges facing the Christian family during the spring pastoral-missionary conference held on Monday at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest. The event opened with a Te Deum service celebrated by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Spyridon the New in Bucharest. The…

May 25, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church highlights support for families on Christian Family Sunday

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church instituted in 2009 a Sunday dedicated to the Christian family. It is observed on the Sunday closest to 15 May, which the United Nations designated as the International Day of Families. This year, Christian Family Sunday fell on 17 May, the feast day of the Holy Apostles…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

International Day of Families highlights social inequality and child wellbeing in 2026

The International Day of Families is observed annually on 15 May. The theme for 2026 highlights the impact of social and economic inequalities on family life and child development. The International Day of Families is marked under a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993. The UN warns that many families face…

May 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu