Society

Over 85% of Romanians identify as religious; Nearly half attend church monthly – INSCOP survey

More than 85% of Romanians consider themselves religious, and nearly half attend church at least once a month, according to a public opinion poll conducted by INSCOP and cited by Agerpres. According to the survey, only 14% of respondents said they do not consider themselves religious, while 1% did not know or refused to answer.…

Jul 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Mel Gibson visits Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos, praises deep spiritual experience

Renowned American actor, director, and producer Mel Gibson, best known for his film The Passion of the Christ, arrived last Friday at the Serbian Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos, where he was set to spend several days. The information and accompanying photo were shared on the Friends of Hilandar Monastery (Пријатељи манастира Хиландара) Facebook page,…

Jul 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania takes action against clerical impersonation

On Wednesday, the plenary session of Romania’s Chamber of Deputies passed a bill that clarifies the prohibition against the unauthorised exercise of clerical and monastic functions and ensures the exclusive right of religious denominations over modes of veneration for canonised, beatified, sanctified individuals, or those recognised as righteous or symbolic identity figures. According to Agerpres,…

Jun 19, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

King Charles III honoured in Romania with photo album showcasing his connection to Transylvania

On the occasion of the King’s Birthday celebration in the United Kingdom, a new photo album titled “The Royal Paths of Transylvania” was launched in Bucharest, highlighting King Charles III’s deep connection with Romania.  The album was presented on Saturday during the opening ceremony of an exhibition of the same name, which was hosted at…

Jun 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian State News Agency Agerpres congratulates Basilica News Agency on 17th anniversary

The Basilica News Agency of the Romanian Patriarchate has received congratulations from Agerpres, Romania’s National News Agency, on its 17th anniversary. In a message from Director General Claudia–Victoria Nicolae, Basilica.ro is complimented for conveying “not just information, but also its deeper meaning.” “Over all these years, Basilica.ro has become a respected voice in the Romanian…

Jun 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian President enacts law establishing May 16 as National Day of Religious Freedom

Romanian President Nicușor Dan has signed into law a bill establishing the National Day of Religious Freedom and of the Contribution of Religious Communities to Romanian Society, to be celebrated annually on May 16 starting next year. According to the new legislation, May 16 will be marked by “cultural-religious and educational events dedicated to religious…

Jun 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Georgian Embassy in Bucharest celebrates National Day, highlights religious and cultural ties with Romania

The Embassy of Georgia in Bucharest hosted a reception on Tuesday to mark Georgia’s National Day, celebrated annually on May 26. Her Excellency Tamar Beruchashvili, Ambassador of Georgia to Romania, hosted the event. Among the attendees were representatives of the Presidential Administration, Government, and Parliament of Romania, as well as diplomats, business leaders, and cultural…

Jun 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Interparliamentary Assembly opens annual session in Bucharest, focuses on AI and Christian values

The Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO) convened its annual session in Bucharest this week, with the opening ceremony held Tuesday at the Palace of the Parliament. “We encourage you to continue working together to promote justice, peace, and human dignity, in order to bear witness, through word and deed, to the merciful love of the…

Jun 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Greek name ‘Sophia’ the world’s most beautiful name, study finds

The name Sophia stood out for its melodic sound and universal appeal across multiple languages, emerging as the top choice among participants in a study conducted by Dr. Bodo Winter, a cognitive linguistics expert at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. The study involved a diverse group of participants who listened to the pronunciation of…

May 26, 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

Greek community in Bucharest honours 1821 Revolution Heroes on National Day

The Greek community in Bucharest commemorated its forebears on Sunday at the Greek Church, in the context of Greece’s National Day. During the Divine Liturgy, the heroes of the Greek Revolution of 1821 were commemorated—an event marking the Greek people’s independence from the Ottoman Empire. Alongside Her Excellency Lili-Evangelia Grammatika, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu