Bishop Macarie

Romanian Orthodox bishop baptises Swedish mother and son after two years of preparation

Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe baptised two Swedish nationals, a mother and son, last weekend at the Romanian Orthodox parish church in Uppsala, Sweden. On the same occasion, seven young Scandinavians became catechumens. Maria and Martin Hoppe chose to join the Orthodox Church after nearly two years of preparation. “I was a catechumen for almost…

Nov 6, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Macarie at ITO 2026: Young Orthodox Christians need community in an increasingly secularised society

“A young believer in a secularised society is not someone closed in on themselves; rather, the Gospel makes them free and helps them become purer, more responsible and more loving,” Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe said on Wednesday evening at the National Cathedral, where he spoke with participants in the 2026 International Meeting of Orthodox…

Sep 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Entire family received into Orthodoxy in Norway on Parents and Children Sunday

On the Sunday of Parents and Children, Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe baptised an Anglo-Norwegian family at the Romanian Orthodox parish church in Ålesund, Norway. Victor John Scattergood and Martina Scattergood, together with their two children, Angelica and Benedict, were baptised by Bishop Macarie, who reflected on the significance of the occasion. “In the Romanian…

Jun 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Seven converts join Orthodox Church in Sweden as Bishop Macarie celebrates Pentecost baptisms

On Pentecost Sunday, His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe baptised six young people aged between 13 and 33 and a 50-year-old woman in Kalmar, Sweden. The new members of the Church were joined by their families and by Romanian and Scandinavian faithful attending the Pentecost service. “We rejoice that these young people have opened…

Jun 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Macarie baptises Greenland youth inspired by Romanian Saint Cleopas

His Grace Bishop Macarie Drăgoi of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe baptised a young Greenlander on Thursday, who received the name of Saint Cleopas (Ilie) of Sihăstria. The bishop noted that the young man had been influenced by the writings of the Romanian saint and wished to bear his name. “Accompanied from Scandinavia…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Macarie begins mission among glaciers in Greenland

Bishop Macarie Drăgoi of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe arrived in Greenland on Monday, where he will spend a week celebrating the Divine Liturgy and baptising local people who wish to enter into communion with the Church. In a message posted on the diocese’s Facebook page, the bishop said the mission is taking…

Mar 17, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Relic of Saint Jacob of Putna to be venerated in Denmark for first time

A particle of the relics of Saint Jacob of Putna, Metropolitan of Moldavia, will be brought for veneration for the first time in Denmark, in Copenhagen, between November 22-24. The delegation from Putna Monastery will be led by Archimandrite Melchisedec Velnic, the monastery’s abbot, and the holy relic will be received on Saturday at 19:00…

Nov 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodoxy in Northern Europe: Bishop Macarie meets catechumens preparing for Baptism on Pascha

His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe met last week with young catechumens of various nationalities who are preparing to receive Holy Baptism in the Romanian Orthodox Church on the Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord. During the week, His Grace Macarie catechized several Danish catechumens in Odense, Denmark. On Saturday, while celebrating the…

Mar 10, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Lent, an opportunity for inner retreat: Let us withdraw from the informational uproar, Bishop Macarie urges

In a message published on the first day of Lent, His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe called Great Lent “a blessed opportunity for inner retreat from our daily distractions and wanderings.” The Romanian bishop explained what fasting is and why we fast. “Fasting is restoring our connection with ourselves, our neighbour and God. Fasting…

Mar 20, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Professor John Behr awarded highest distinction of Romanian Diocese of Northern Europe

Rev. John Behr, a professor at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, received the highest award of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe last Friday. The “Northern Cross” was awarded to Rev. John Behr by His Grace Bishop Macarie during a ceremony at the diocesan chapel in Bergen, Norway. His Grace Bishop Macarie of…

Apr 25, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe receives Royal Decoration of the Cross of the Romanian Royal House

His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe received the Royal Decoration of the Cross of the Romanian Royal House during a ceremony held at the Royal Palace in Bucharest on Friday, October 15, 2021. The Decoration is awarded to those who have continuously supported the work or have contributed a significant deed to the Romanian…

Oct 18, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu