Dioceses

Bessarabian bishops plan Centennial celebrations, canonizations, and theological education expansion

The four hierarchs of the Metropolis of Bessarabia met on Monday in Chișinău for a working session under the chairmanship of His Eminence Metropolitan Petru. The decisions made concern the celebration of the Centennial of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, theological education in the Republic of Moldova, canonizations, and ecclesiastical distinctions. The Synod decided to organize…

Jun 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ignatie warns against ego worship, urges focus on divine glory

At the Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated Wednesday with priests from the Huși Deanery, His Grace Bishop Ignatie spoke about the damaging effects of selfishness and urged the faithful to glorify God rather than seek personal praise. His Grace recalled the example of a Desert Father who prayed that God would not glorify him before…

Jun 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Foundresses of Văratec Monastery remembered as canonization proposed for 2026

Schema-nuns Olimpiada and Nazaria, the founding mothers of Văratec Monastery in Neamț County, were commemorated on Monday during a monastic synaxis. The two venerable nuns are among several saintly Romanian women proposed for canonization in 2026. His Grace Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani, Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Iași, participated in the gathering and offered…

Jun 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Ioan of Banat urges faithful to receive the comfort of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost

“May the Holy Spirit comfort your hearts,” Metropolitan Ioan of Banat told the faithful on Sunday during the Feast of Pentecost. “Beloved mothers, who always have tears in your eyes, may God comfort the sorrowful—and all of you, allow yourselves to be comforted by the Spirit of God… Let the Holy Spirit comfort you all.”…

Jun 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Thousands join Pentecost procession in Cluj-Napoca, prayers offered for nature and harvest

Thousands of people participated on Sunday in the traditional Pentecost procession in Cluj-Napoca. Local Metropolitan Andrei offered prayers for the environment and the fruits of the earth. The religious event began with the Kneeling Vespers of Pentecost, officiated by Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj, at the outdoor altar on the esplanade of the…

Jun 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Petru: Parents are a living icon for children in a spiritually noisy world

In a message marking International Children’s Day, His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia emphasized the vital role of parents as models and “living icons” for their children. His Eminence described children as “the most precious treasure of the Church and of the nation,” noting their “pure souls and luminous eyes.” Quoting Saint Basil the Great,…

Jun 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Archdiocese launches digital evangelism project with bible verses on city billboards

The Archdiocese of Timișoara has launched a unique missionary project to bring the Word of God into the urban public space, adapting to modern times by displaying biblical messages on public billboards. The digital missionary efforts began at the end of 2024 at the initiative of His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat. Digital screens featuring…

May 27, 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

Moldovan Parliament Speaker meets Metropolitan Petru to discuss religious heritage restoration and church-state cooperation

His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia met on Monday with Igor Grosu, President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, at the Metropolitan Residence in Chișinău. Vladimir Bolea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Father Gabriel-Andrei Gherasă, Administrative Vicar of the Archdiocese of Chișinău, and Archdeacon Iurie Saganovschi, Secretary of…

May 19, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu