Society

Romania’s Emergency Chief calls on priests to help prevent wildfires

Raed Arafat, head of the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU), is seeking the help of Orthodox priests in rural parishes to raise awareness and reduce the number of wildfires affecting Romania’s forests and fields. During a press conference on Sunday, Arafat urged priests to read a message after the Divine Liturgy warning parishioners about the…

Mar 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian village priest joins animal welfare effort to promote pet sterilization

Father Caesar Cranta, parish priest of the Micșuneștii Mari community in Ilfov County, has been going door to door alongside members of the Animal Protection Agency, urging residents of Nuci commune to sterilize their dogs and cats. “As a village priest, I am often the first to witness the struggles of certain people, especially those…

Mar 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania honours anti-communist political prisoners in Bucharest memorial service

On Sunday, anti-communist political prisoners were commemorated at the “Wings” Monument in Piața Presei Libere (Free Press Square), Bucharest. The memorial event began with the singing of the national anthem and a memorial service officiated by Father Lucian Georgescu, dean of Sector 1 in Bucharest, alongside an assembly of Orthodox clergy. “On this day, the…

Mar 10, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s Central Bank issues commemorative coin for the 375th anniversary of Saint Anthimos the Iberian’s birth

The National Bank of Romania (BNR) launched a commemorative gold coin on Monday to mark the 375th anniversary of the birth of Saint Anthimos the Iberian, an emblematic cultural personality of Georgian origin who served as Metropolitan of Wallachia between 1708 and 1716. Coin Design and Features The obverse of the coin features a detailed…

Mar 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Republic of Moldova establishes “Council of Memory” to commemorate victims of communist repression

The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education and Research of Moldova have recently established the “Council of Memory,” a consultative body dedicated to honouring the victims of political repression under the totalitarian communist regime (1917-1990). The founding order was signed on February 7 by Ministers Sergiu Prodan and Dan Perciun, aiming to contribute…

Feb 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Austrian Churches Council visits Holy Land to support peace and Christian communities

A delegation from the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Austria (ÖRKÖ) visited the Holy Land last week for discussions with organizations working for peace and reconciliation. The delegation included: Bishop Tiran Petrosyan, Apostolic Armenian Bishop and President of ÖRKÖ, Bishop Manfred Scheuer, Catholic Bishop of Linz, Superintendent Thomas Hennefeld, Regional Reformed Church leader, Father Nicolae…

Feb 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Moldova Census reveals Orthodox majority, rising urbanization, and aging demographics

The National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova has released the preliminary results of the 2024 Population Census, conducted last year. The data shows that while 95% of the population identifies as Orthodox Christian, the country’s total population has decreased by nearly 14% compared to the previous census conducted a decade ago. Another…

Jan 31, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Study reveals 380 million Christians persecuted worldwide, top risk zones identified

The Open Doors organization has compiled the annual World Watch List 2025, ranking the most dangerous countries for Christians. A report covering the period from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, reveals that over 380 million Christians face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith: 1 in 7 globally, 1 in 5…

Jan 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Christian unity discussed at round table in Brussels

Fr. Sorin Șelaru, Director of the Romanian Patriarchate’s Representation in Brussels, participated on Tuesday in a round table titled How Do We Understand Christian Unity in Practice?. He emphasized that striving for unity should constantly concern every believer. The event featured a dialogue between Fr. Sorin Șelaru; Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, Secretary-General of the Commission…

Jan 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam urges rediscovery of Christian unity during Prayer Week celebration

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești represented His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel at the fourth evening of prayer for Christian unity this year, which took place Tuesday evening at the Armenian Archdiocesan Cathedral “Archangels Michael and Gabriel” in Bucharest. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, held worldwide from January 18-25, is focused this year on…

Jan 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Paisie warns of rising Christianophobia and the need for spiritual unity

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia represented Patriarch Daniel at the first evening of prayer for Christian unity this year, held Saturday at the Parcul Domeniilor-Cașin Church in Bucharest. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, observed worldwide from January 18 to 25, is guided this year by the theme, “Do you believe this?” (John…

Jan 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu