Commemorative Year 2026

ITO 2026 to gather 2,400 Orthodox young people in Bucharest for prayer, dialogue and fellowship

The International Meeting of Orthodox Youth (ITO), the largest youth event organised by the Romanian Orthodox Church, will take place in Bucharest from 31 August to 3 September 2026 under the theme “Young People, the Family and Life in Christ”. With the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, this year’s gathering will bring together approximately…

Aug 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Saints Nazaria, Olympias, and Elizabeth of Văratec are models of prayer, diligence and charity

Patriarch Daniel of Romania has presented Saints Nazaria, Olympias and Elizabeth of Văratec as three distinct examples of holiness united by unceasing prayer, humble charity and diligent service to others. He delivered his message on the occasion of the local proclamation of their canonisation at Văratec Monastery. Saints Nazaria, Olympias and Elizabeth of Văratec –…

Aug 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Saints Nazaria, Olympias and Elizabeth locally proclaimed at Romania’s Văratec Monastery

Ten hierarchs and numerous abbots from the Moldavia region, joined by clergy from across Romania and the diaspora, celebrated the Divine Liturgy last Sunday at Văratec Monastery in Neamț County, where the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saints Nazaria, Olympias and Elizabeth of Văratec took place after the liturgy. The assembly of hierarchs comprised…

Aug 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Oldest Romanian Orthodox parish in the Netherlands celebrates first feast of St Maria Brâncoveanu

The Parish of St Gregory the Theologian and St Maria Brâncoveanu in Schiedam/Rotterdam, the oldest Romanian Orthodox parish in the Netherlands, celebrated on Sunday its first summer patronal feast dedicated to St Maria Brâncoveanu. Fr Ioan Dură, the dean and parish priest, celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Following the service, a procession took place with the…

Aug 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel presents Saint Maria Brâncoveanu as model of faith, patience and generosity

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania described Saint Maria Brâncoveanu as a model of Christian faith and courage whose trust in God enabled her to endure the martyrdom of her husband and four sons, years of captivity and exile without falling into despair. In a message delivered on Sunday at the local proclamation of her…

Aug 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Local proclamation of Saint Maria Brâncoveanu: Churches she supported receive reliquary icons

The local proclamation of Saint Maria Brâncoveanu’s canonisation took place on Sunday at the New St George Church in Bucharest. Churches founded or supported by the saint received icons containing a fragment of her holy relics. These included the St Nicholas “Dintr-o Zi” Church in Bucharest, the monasteries of Hurezi, Surpatele and Dintr-un Lemn in…

Aug 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel blesses reliquary holding relics of St Maria Brâncoveanu and her sons

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel blessed the reliquary on Thursday, which holds the relics of Saint Maria Brâncoveanu and her sons, Stephen and Matthew. The blessing service was officiated in the historic Chapel of “Saint George the Trophy-bearer” at the Patriarchal Residence. An icon of Romanian dignity and spirituality His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel highlighted that Saint…

Aug 14, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel blesses reliquary for newly canonised nuns of Văratec Monastery

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church blessed on Monday the reliquary that will house the relics of the newly canonised Venerable Mothers Nazaria, Olympias, and Elizabeth (Safta) Brâncoveanu of Văratec Monastery. The service took place at the historic St. George Chapel of the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest. The silver reliquary was crafted…

Aug 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Saint Olympias of Fărcașa exemplifies sacrificial motherhood, charity and readiness for eternal life

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church described Saint Olympias of Fărcașa as a model of sacrificial motherhood, active charity and unwavering faith during the local proclamation of her canonisation on Saturday. In his message, the Patriarch said her life demonstrates that holiness can be attained through humble service to God, family and…

Jul 9, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian, European prison chaplains meet to share pastoral best practices

Prison chaplains from Romania and several European countries gathered for the International Conference “Best Practices in Conducting Moral and Religious Activities in Prisons in Romania and Europe,” held last week in Timișoara, Arad and Deva. The conference opened on 30 June at Timișoara Prison with a Te Deum service officiated by Orthodox prison chaplains, led…

Jul 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Ioan Casian: Diocese of Canada Congress seeks God’s will for Church and communities

“This is not merely an administrative meeting or an occasion to present activity reports, but a moment of ecclesial responsibility, in which we seek together to discern God’s will for the life of the Church and for the communities we serve,” said Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada at the Congress of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese…

Jul 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu