Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești

Patriarchal auxiliary bishop meets Orthodox scouts group, highlights youth engagement

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, the Holy Synod’s general secretary, met on Thursday, May 14, at the Patriarchal Palace with representatives of the International Orthodox Christian Scouts Organisation “Desmos”. The bishop highlighted the importance of involving young people in educational and community activities amid the challenges of contemporary society. “It is very important that…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

American students from University of Pittsburgh visit Romanian Patriarchate

A group of thirteen students from the University of Pittsburgh in the United States, accompanied by Professor Horia M. Dijmărescu, visited the Patriarchal Palace on Monday. The group was welcomed by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești and Archimandrite Augustin Coman, coordinating patriarchal adviser of the Department for Christian, Interreligious and Romanian Communities Abroad Relations.…

May 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam praises Saint Callinicus as model shepherd at Cernica monastery patronal feast

“The Holy Hierarch Callinicus of Cernica strove to be a shepherd in the image of the Good Shepherd, Christ the Saviour,” Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești said on Bright Monday at Cernica Monastery. The bishop celebrated the Divine Liturgy on the feast of Saint Callinicus of Cernica and explained why the Gospel of the…

Apr 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian and Antiochian Orthodox leaders meet in Bucharest amid solidarity and shared mission

On Monday, June 30, 2025, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, Secretary of the Holy Synod, received His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios of Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines (Patriarchate of Antioch), at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest. The Very Reverend Archimandrite Alexi Nassour accompanied His Eminence. Bishop Varlaam warmly welcomed the delegation and…

Jul 1, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in Romania marks 35 years since reestablishment at Sighet symposium

On Tuesday, the Sighet Memorial hosted the symposium celebrating 35 years of the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in Romania. The event was preceded by the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, the delegate of the Patriarch of Romania, together with priests from the two deaneries of the vicariate. At the end of…

Jun 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam at Radu Voda Monastery: It is possible to love our enemies. St Nectarios demonstrates it

“Loving our enemies, at least tolerating them, is possible,” the patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiești said on Wednesday at Radu Vodă Monastery in Bucharest. “This is what Saint Nectarios shows us about those who persecuted him, reviled him and lied by spreading a great deal of slander against him, for which reason God made…

Nov 9, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam on the feast of the Annunciation: Floods of bad news come day and night. Let us rejoice today!

“In this world, we live in, floods of bad news come day and night: pandemics, death, poverty, wars, crisis and so on. So let us rejoice today!” urged the patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiești on the Feast of the Annunciation. “We Christians must rejoice unceasingly for two thousand years because there is no better…

Apr 1, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

The feast of Saint Demetrius the Myrrh-gusher at the Romanian Patriarchate – 2021 | PHOTO

The Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the outdoor altar of the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu

Oct 26, 2021Mircea Florescu