Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe

Bishop Macarie mourns King Harald V, offers prayers for Norwegian people

Romanian Orthodox Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe offered his condolences to the Norwegian Royal Family on Friday after the repose of King Harald V. The Romanian hierarch expressed his sorrow upon learning the news: “It was with profound sadness that I received the news of His Majesty’s passing from this life.” “At this time of…

Aug 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Macarie urges faithful to entrust families to the Mother of God during Dormition Fast

“Let us entrust our families, our children and young people, our parents and the elderly, the sick and the lonely, our homes, our journeys, our worries, our trials, and all our needs to the Mother of God,” Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe said in a message marking the beginning of the Dormition Fast. The bishop…

Aug 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox community in western Denmark consecrates its first church

The Romanian Orthodox community in Ringkøbing-Skjern, western Denmark, now has its own church after the place of worship was consecrated on July 11 by Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe. His Grace spoke about the journey the community undertook to acquire and restore the church: “We give glory to the all-merciful God for granting us the…

Jul 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Northern Europe Bishop reflects on doubt and faith during Mount Athos pilgrimage

Between April 17 and April 19, Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe made a pilgrimage to Mount Athos, where he reflected on doubt and faith in his sermons. On Bright Friday, he arrived at Lakkoskete, where he officiated the all-night Vigil and the Divine Liturgy on the feast of the Life-Giving Spring. On Bright Saturday and…

Apr 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Swedish man baptised into Orthodox Church in Gothenburg: Sowing together the seeds of the Gospel

Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe baptised a 26-year-old Swedish man, Alexander-Orest James, on Sunday at the Diocesan Metochion in Gothenburg. The baptism took place after the Divine Liturgy celebrated by the Romanian hierarch on the fifth Sunday of Great Lent. “I give glory to the All-Merciful God that our Swedish brother, Alexander, has now received…

Mar 31, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

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

Swedish deacon ordained to the priesthood in Romanian Orthodox parish in Sweden

Bishop Macarie Drăgoi of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe ordained Swedish deacon Serafim Lundqvist to the priesthood on Sunday during the Divine Liturgy at the parish of Sts Theodore the Viking Martyr and his son John, in Leksand, Sweden. Fr Serafim Lundqvist said the moment of his ordination was both a great blessing…

Mar 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Bishop in Northern Europe issues seven Lenten guidelines for spiritual renewal

His Grace Bishop Macarie Drăgoi of Northern Europe has offered seven pastoral guidelines for spiritual renewal during Great Lent, urging the faithful to turn the fasting season into a time of reconciliation with God and neighbour, and of concrete solidarity with those who suffer. Ascetic struggle during Lent The bishop called believers to embrace ascetic…

Feb 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Bishop baptises Norwegian convert and newborn in Arctic Norway

Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe celebrated the Mystery of Holy Baptism on Sunday for a 22-year-old Norwegian man and his newborn daughter. The service took place at the Romanian Orthodox church on the island of Skjervøya, in northern Norway. The church is dedicated to Saints Leontius of Rădăuți, Jacob of Putna, and Pachomius of Gledin.…

Jan 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Nordic Bishop offers five perspectives on National Cathedral as symbol of Romanian popular piety

His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe has proposed five keys to a proper understanding of the National Cathedral. Bishop Macarie took part in the consecration of the mosaic iconography of the National Cathedral — an event about which much has been said and written. “I am writing down several reflections — possible keys of…

Nov 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Macarie installs new Romanian Orthodox parish priest in Slovenia’s capital

Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe, delegated by Patriarch Daniel of Romania, installed Fr. Alexandru-Leonard Zaciu last Sunday as the new parish priest of the Romanian Orthodox community in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The bishop celebrated the Divine Liturgy with an assembly of clergy from Romania and the diaspora and offered a homily on the Parable of the…

Oct 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu