Romanian Diaspora

Southern Bessarabia Bishop marks 10th anniversary of parish near Paris, highlights true greatness as service

His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the “Saint Anthimus the Iberian” Parish in Auvers-sur-Oise, in the Paris metropolitan area, marking the 10th anniversary of the community’s establishment. The bishop explained the Gospel of the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent, concerning the request of the sons of Zebedee.…

Apr 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s Foreign Ministry launches task force to boost Romanian language promotion abroad

Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) last Thursday hosted the first meeting of an inter-institutional working group aimed at enhancing cooperation in promoting the Romanian language among diaspora communities and historical Romanian minorities abroad. According to a ministry press release, the group seeks to improve coordination among institutions responsible for the study and promotion of…

Mar 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch praises Metropolitan Iosif’s diaspora ministry on 60th birthday

Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church has sent a congratulatory message to Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe on the occasion of his 60th birthday, praising his missionary zeal, pastoral dedication and efforts to strengthen Romanian Orthodox communities across the diaspora. In the message, the Patriarch of Romania highlights Metropolitan Iosif’s role as…

Feb 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe turns 60

His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe turned 60 on Thursday, marking a milestone in a life dedicated to the service of the Church. Metropolitan Iosif was born on 19 February 1966 in Vișeu de Jos, Maramureș County, northern Romania. He graduated from “Gheorghe Șincai” High School in Baia Mare, the “Andrei Șaguna”…

Feb 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Mother and priest’s wife in Munich: “Community is the safest support for a pregnant woman”

In an interview hosted by the Basilica News Agency, Alexandra Nadane, President of the Romania for Life Association, speaks with Bianca Deaconu — a mother of four and the wife of a priest at the Romanian Orthodox Church Centre in Munich — about the intertwined vocations of family life and ecclesial service in the diaspora.…

Feb 17, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Italy gathers 900 clergy and laity to assess diaspora mission

The Diocesan Assembly and Congress of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy brought together more than 900 clergy, monastics and lay representatives on Tuesday in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome. The proceedings of the Diocesan Assembly were presided over by Bishop Siluan, who presented the main directions of diocesan activity and oversaw the review of reports…

Jan 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

First Romanian Orthodox parish in Netherlands marks 45 years with anniversary liturgy

The St Gregory the Theologian Parish in Schiedam/Rotterdam—the first Romanian Orthodox parish in the Netherlands—celebrated its patron saint and marked 45 years since its founding on Sunday. On this occasion, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe, together with the parish priest, Ioan Dură, and Fr. Laurent Van Damme…

Jan 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Diocese in Australia and New Zealand reviews 2025 activity at Melbourne assembly

Clergy and lay representatives of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand met on Saturday at the diocesan centre in Melbourne—at the Life-giving Spring Monastery—to review the diocese’s activity. The meeting was preceded by a Te Deum service marking the anniversary of the Union of the Romanian Principalities. The Diocesan Assembly was chaired…

Jan 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Nectarie joins patronal feast of Limerick parish in Ireland

His Grace Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland joined the faithful of the Romanian Parish of Limerick, Ireland, for the community’s patronal feast on Sunday. The occasion also marked Bishop Nectarie’s first pastoral and liturgical visit to this parish. The festive day marked not only the meeting of the local community with its bishop but…

Jan 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church in South Carolina consecrated after nine-year effort

After nine years of sustained efforts, Romanians in South Carolina took part on Sunday in the consecration of the Church of St Gregory the Theologian in Easley, the only Romanian parish in this U.S. state. The consecration service was led by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas, together with…

Jan 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in UK unveils youth projects for 2026

The Youth Department of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has announced the projects it plans to implement in 2026. Among the department’s initiatives are the organisation of introductory training courses in youth work for priests and youth workers, the running of camps and pilgrimages, the coordination of educational and cultural…

Jan 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu