Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church to toll bells nationwide on Ascension Day in honor of National Heroes

On the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, Thursday, May 29, 2025, at noon, the bells of all places of worship within the Romanian Patriarchate will ring in eternal remembrance, honor, and gratitude for the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom, dignity, and unity of the Romanian people, for the confession of…

May 26, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop of Sălaj highlights Christian leadership principles inspired by Saint Constantine the Great

“Those who listen to us do not seek perfect people, but sincere ones,” emphasized the Bishop of Sălaj last week during the patronal feast of the church in Șimleu Silvaniei. His Grace Bishop Benedict recalled that this year marks 1,700 years since the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, speaking about the gathering of bishops in…

May 26, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian State Secretary visits Chișinău to strengthen ties with Metropolis of Bessarabia

Ciprian-Vasile Olinici, State Secretary for Religious Affairs in the Romanian Government, visited the Metropolitan Residence in Chișinău last Thursday, where he was received by the Metropolitan of Bessarabia. The discussions focused on the pastoral, social, and cultural activities of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, as well as on projects supported by the Romanian state. Father Gabriel-Andrei…

May 26, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Teofan celebrates Iași Byzantine Music Festival as tribute to Saint Constantine’s legacy

His Eminence Metropolitan Teofan celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iași, where he spoke about the Iași Byzantine Music Festival as a sign of gratitude for the legacy bestowed upon Moldavia through the labors of Saint Constantine the Great. “A few venues in the city, in Botoșani, and in Piatra…

May 26, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Synod in Bucharest: New saints could be added to the Romanian Church’s calendar

The hierarchs of the Holy Synod of the Metropolis of Muntenia and Dobruja met on Tuesday at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, who also serves as Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobruja. The agenda included several decisions and discussion topics. Among them were proposals to include two new…

May 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Saint Constantine stood, not sat on a throne, at Nicaea Council out of reverence for persecuted bishops

At the historic patronal feast of the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel spoke about the deep respect that Emperor Constantine the Great showed toward bishops persecuted by his predecessors. Recalling the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council, the Patriarch emphasized that Saint Constantine initiated and presided over the ecclesiastical event. “When…

May 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian lawmakers establish National Day honouring religious freedom and the role of faith communities

Last week, the Chamber of Deputies approved a law establishing May 16 as the National Day of Religious Freedom and the Contribution of Religious Denominations to Romanian Society. The Senate passed the bill at the end of last year, and the law’s final version was submitted on Wednesday to the Secretary-General for potential constitutional review.…

May 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Diaspora Festival in Canada celebrates heritage and unity

The Romanian Diaspora Festival was held on Saturday in Chelsea, Canada, near the capital. His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian offered his blessing to participants and emphasized the importance of organizing such events. “Today, through this festival, we give voice to the joy of being together. We remember Romania not as a geographic location but as…

May 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

1,700 years since First Ecumenical Council: A foundational moment in shaping Christian doctrine

Exactly 1,700 years ago, on May 20, the First Ecumenical Council (of the entire Church) was convened in Nicaea — a foundational moment in shaping Christian doctrine. The Arian doctrine, which claimed that God the Son does not share the exact nature as God the Father, was the main reason that made a universal meeting…

May 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian hierarchs meet pope Leo XIV: He showed openness, sympathy and goodwill

Two hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church were present on Monday at the meeting of Pope Leo XIV with delegations from various confessions and religions who had attended Sunday’s official inauguration of His Holiness’ pontificate. Metropolitan Joseph of Western and Southern Europe and Bishop Siluan of Italy congratulated the new Pope on behalf of the…

May 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ioan Casian attends Ottawa event marking 110th anniversary of Armenian Genocide

The Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Canada took part in the commemoration of the holy martyrs who sacrificed their lives for faith and country during the Armenian Genocide last Friday. The Romanian hierarch attended the event at the invitation of Bishop Abgar Hovakimyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Canada. The event, marking the 110th anniversary…

May 19, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu