Dioceses

First Liturgy honouring newly canonised Bessarabian Hieromartyr Alexander Baltaga held in Călărași

The Holy Hieromartyr Alexander (Baltaga) of Bessarabia was commemorated on Friday for the first time since the local proclamation of his canonisation, in the “Saint Nicholas” Church in Călărași, the Republic of Moldova — the parish where the saint served for 54 years. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia,…

Aug 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Veniamin: Soviet atheism and secularism have left society spiritually starved

On the feast of the Prophet Elijah (according to the unrevised calendar), His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia reflected on the spiritual needs of Moldovan society, which he said still suffers from a “hunger for the spiritual” due to decades of Soviet atheism and ongoing secularisation. Bishop Veniamin presided over the Divine Liturgy in…

Aug 7, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Iustin urges prayer and repentance in Romania – „the Garden of the Mother of God”

At the beginning of the Dormition Fast, Bishop Iustin of Maramureș and Sătmar delivered a pastoral message urging priests, monastics, and faithful to dedicate themselves to prayer, repentance, and active participation in church services, while recalling that Romania is traditionally known as the “Garden of the Mother of God.” In his message, Bishop Iustin described…

Aug 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Cluj Metropolitan: Combine bodily discipline with inner purification during Dormition Fast

His Eminence Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj has urged the faithful to live the Dormition Fast not merely as a dietary restriction, but as a time for strengthening prayer, reconciling with God, and purifying the soul. “Let us fast not only from food, but also from evil,” the hierarch said, emphasising that true fasting combines bodily…

Aug 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Banat Metropolitan urges charity and prayer during Dormition Fast

His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat has urged the faithful to use the next two weeks to visit and comfort those who are suffering – whether in hospitals, care homes, or at home – especially the lonely, marginalised, and elderly without support. At the beginning of the Dormition Fast, His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan delivered a…

Aug 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Maramureș Bishop honours Border Police, stresses spiritual duty in defending national identity

On Monday, during events marking Romanian Border Police Day, His Grace Bishop Iustin of Maramureș and Sătmar conveyed a message of support and gratitude to those safeguarding Romania’s territory, values, and national security. “Dear border police officers, you are not merely guarding a geographical territory, but defending a space of identity, faith, and values inherited…

Jul 29, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ignatie warns against “entitlement culture,” calls for return to humility and discretion

On Sunday, at Bogdănița Monastery in Vaslui County, His Grace Bishop Ignatie of Huși addressed what he called a growing phenomenon in today’s society — a culture of entitlement, which he referred to as “I-deserve-it-ism”, in stark contrast to the teachings of Christ. Reflecting on the Gospel reading for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Bishop…

Jul 29, 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

Over 2,000 attend ordination of new assistant bishop in Roman, Romania

Over 2,000 people participated on Sunday, on the Feast of the Holy Prophet Elijah the Tishbite, in the ordination and installation of the new Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău, His Grace Bishop Teofil of Trotuș. The event took place at the “Saint Parascheva” Archdiocesan Cathedral in Roman. The Divine Liturgy and…

Jul 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan blesses bell and foundation of new Byzantine-style church in Cluj-Napoca: Kato Xenia replica

Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj blessed the new bell and the basement level of the under-construction “Nativity of Saint John the Baptist” Church in Cluj-Napoca. The church is modelled after the Kato Xenia Monastery in Greece. The bell was cast at the Blotor Foundry in Satulung, Maramureș County. The church will follow the…

Jul 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu