Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: July 21-27, 2025

Summer is not just a time for vacations, but a blessed season — a time for growing in Christ and deepening our fellowship with one another. We invite you to explore our photo selection from July 21 to 27, 2025. Last week’s most-liked Instagram post:   Vezi această postare pe Instagram   O postare distribuită…

Jul 29, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Dormition Fast begins August 1: brief guidelines

The Dormition Fast begins this Friday and lasts for two weeks for Orthodox Christians observing the revised calendar. This year, the fast will also conclude on a Friday, which means it will be extended by one day, in accordance with the General Liturgics. “The fast is prolonged to include the feast day itself if it…

Jul 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Eminescu bas-relief unveiled in Bulgaria’s Sveti Vlas, honouring Romanian-Bulgarian cultural ties

A bas-relief of Romanian poet Mihai Eminescu was unveiled last week on the Alley of Nations in the Bulgarian city of Sveti Vlas. The event was attended by Brândușa Predescu, Romania’s Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria; Ștefania Bercu-Martak, Honorary Consul of Bulgaria in Romania; Gheorghi Nakov, a member of Romania’s Parliament representing the Bulgarian…

Jul 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Chișinău to hold local canonization ceremony for Bessarabian Saints Heraclius and Alexander on August 3

The local proclamation of the canonisation of Saints Heraclius and Alexander of Bessarabia will take place on August 3 in Chișinău, the Metropolis of Bessarabia has announced. The solemn event will follow the hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated at the “Holy Apostles Peter and Paul” Church in the capital of the Republic of Moldova. The local…

Jul 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch blesses reliquary of Saint Onuphrius of Vorona at patriarchal chapel

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel blessed on Thursday the reliquary containing the relics of Saint Onuphrius of Sihăstria Voronei Monastery. The blessing service took place at the “Saint George” Chapel of the Patriarchal Residence, with Archimandrite Ghedeon Huțanașu, abbot of the monastic settlement in Botoșani County, also in attendance. His Beatitude recalled aspects of the saint’s…

Jul 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch awards highest Church honour to Patriarchal Cathedral Grand Ecclesiarch on 70th birthday

The Very Reverend Archimandrite Clement Haralam, Grand Ecclesiarch of the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, celebrated his 70th birthday on Wednesday — a life devoted to Christ and to serving others through prayer and liturgical ministry. On this occasion, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel presented him with the Patriarchal Cross, the highest distinction of the Romanian Patriarchate,…

Jul 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Chozeva Monastery abbot visits monastic cell of Saints Cleopas and Paisius at Sihăstria

A delegation from the Holy Land has visited the monastic cell of Saints Cleopas Ilie and Paisius Olaru at Sihăstria Monastery in Neamț County, Romania. The delegation included the Very Rev. Archimandrite Constantinos Peramatzis, abbot of the Monastery of Saint George of Chozeva, and Protosyncellus Ioan Meiu, the Romanian Patriarchate’s representative to the Holy Places.…

Jul 23, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Jerusalem Patriarch congratulates Bishop Teofil of Trotuș on his episcopal ordination: A testimony of faithfulness, humility, and zeal for the Church

His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine, sent a message on Sunday for the episcopal ordination of His Grace Assistant Bishop Teofil of Trotuș, who served for a decade as the representative of the Romanian Patriarchate in Jerusalem and the Holy Places. “This blessed appointment to the episcopal ministry is a testimony…

Jul 23, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch blesses reliquaries of Saints Paisius and Cleopas of Sihăstria

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel blessed on Wednesday the reliquaries designated for the holy relics of Saints Paisius (Olaru) and Cleopas (Ilie) of Sihăstria. The blessing service took place at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest, in the presence of Archimandrite Arsenie Popa, abbot of Sihăstria Monastery in Neamț County. The reliquaries were crafted from silver at…

Jul 23, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

U.S. Army soldier baptized Orthodox in Romania after conversion from Protestantism

The baptism of adults converting to Orthodoxy never ceases to move us, as it powerfully demonstrates that Christ is the One who calls them to Himself—either directly or through those around them. A soldier serving in the United States Army recently converted from a neo-Protestant denomination to Orthodoxy, receiving baptism at the Church of St.…

Jul 23, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel turned 74: Our birthday is an occasion to thank God for the gift of life

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel turned 74 on Tuesday. On this occasion, a thanksgiving service was celebrated at the Patriarchal Cathedral in the presence of the Patriarch and other state officials. The Te Deum service was officiated by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, who offered words of gratitude and appreciation for the Patriarch of Romania’s…

Jul 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu