Bishop Benedict of Bistrița

Holy Synod elects Assistant Bishop Benedict of Bistrița as new head of Sălaj Diocese

On Thursday, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church elected His Grace Bishop Benedict of Bistrița as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Sălaj. The position became vacant in December 2024, after the local Synod of the Metropolis of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj decided to suspend Bishop Petroniu. Also running for the office…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Assistant Bishop Benedict explores digital spirituality at national church media colloquium

Assistant Bishop Benedict of Bistrița delivered a presentation on digital spirituality on Friday at the National Colloquium “Church Press at the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate”, held in Bucharest from February 6 to 8. His paper, titled “Digital Spirituality – Concept and Forms of Expression: A General Overview”, explored both the opportunities and risks associated…

Feb 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

10 insights for youth development from Saint Isaac the Syrian: A reflection by Bishop Benedict of Bistrița

Assistant Bishop Benedict of Bistrița, assistant bishop of the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac, and Cluj, and one of the youngest members of the Holy Synod, offers a ten-point reflection on the writings of Saint Isaac the Syrian regarding youth development. Addressing younger generations, the bishop emphasizes the importance of effort, perseverance, and generous relationships with…

Jan 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Assistant Bishop Benedict urges young people to be enthusiastic, joyful and full of hope

In a message on National Youth Day (May 2), His Grace Benedict of Bistrița, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj, urged young people “to be enthusiastic, joyful and full of hope” and be inspired by the experience of older people. Being one of the youngest hierarchs in the Romanian Holy Synod,…

May 4, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Assistant Bishop Benedict celebrates Int’l Roma Day with Romanian-Romani bilingual liturgy

“We are delighted that you are many and you are young. It’s a big deal in a world where there are fewer and fewer children. It is a great thing that you give birth, that you are concerned with doing this order of being God’s helpers and of bringing healthy babies to life. And we,…

Apr 9, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Youngest Romanian Bishop Benedict defines himself in relation to young people: I want to be one of them

A professor of Orthodox Spirituality at the Faculty of Theology in Cluj and the youngest Romanian hierarch, Bishop Benedict of Bistrița talked about his relationship with young people after a year in office. His Grace said that the year that passed since his ordination on February 23, 2020, was a time of his definition as…

Mar 2, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Benedict of Bistrita urges faithful to bear the pain of not going to church services with humility, without despair

The assistant bishop of the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj has called on the faithful who cannot attend church services due to the restrictions adopted to fight against the new coronavirus epidemic to accept the measures ‘with a spirit of repentance,’ without giving in to resentment. The Assistant Bishop Benedict of Bistrița posted a…

Mar 31, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Newly consecrated Bishop Benedict celebrates first Divine Liturgy in home town

One week after his ordination to the episcopate, His Grace Bishop Benedict of Bistrița, Romania’s youngest Orthodox hierarch, celebrated his first Divine Liturgy in his home town Sartăş. Addressing those present, the assistant bishop to the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac, and Cluj, confessed that after his ordination the first thing that came to his mind…

Mar 5, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

After installation, New Romanian Bishop Benedict of Bistrița says he wants to be a friend of youth

A new Romanian bishop was ordained on Sunday, February 23, 2020, at the Orthodox Cathedral in Cluj and installed as an auxiliary bishop to the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj in the presence of thousands. Consecrated at the age of 36, Benedict of Bistrita became the youngest Romanian Orthodox Bishop. He said that he…

Feb 24, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod elects assistant bishop to Cluj Archdiocese

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church elected the new assistant bishop to the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj during a meeting held at the patriarchal residence in Bucharest on February 13, 2020. The episcopal see became vacant after His Grace Bishop Vasile of Somes has requested and has been granted a withdrawal…

Feb 13, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu