Arctic Circle

Romanian Bishop urges faithful to ‘melt the icebergs of the soul’ after Greenland mission

His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe on Saturday urged the faithful to “melt the icebergs of the soul” at the conclusion of a pastoral mission in Greenland. His Grace spoke about the missionary experience carried out in extreme conditions, as well as its spiritual fruits. “After the seven days spent in Greenland, I can…

Mar 24, 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

Ecumenical Patriarch delivers keynote address to Arctic Circle Assembly (full text)

In a keynote speech during the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavík, Iceland, Ecumenical Patriarch His All-Holiness Bartholomew I termed their purpose “a fresh deliberation on the fate of the earth.” The assembly, which drew more than 2,000 participants from 50 countries, joined religious leaders with scientists, government officials, advocates, and indigenous people on Oct. 13-15…

Oct 17, 2017Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch at Arctic Circle Assembly: ‘We have to change how we perceive and treat the world’

On Friday, at the invitation of Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, former President of Iceland, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew delivered the keynote address to the Arctic Circle Assembly before a gathering of 2,000 participants from governments, corporations, universities and ecological institutions. The Ecumenical Patriarch spoke on the importance and influence of religion on raising awareness on…

Oct 14, 2017Aurelian Iftimiu