ecology

Theology students and clergy join tree-planting drive in western Romania

Professors, priests, and theology students planted 2,000 acacia saplings on Saturday near the village of Iecea Mică in Timiș County, as part of an environmental initiative combining ecological action and community engagement. The event was organised by the Research and Innovation Department of the West University of Timișoara and drew students from several faculties, including…

Apr 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch: The respect for creation and the constant concern for its protection belong to the core of our Orthodox identity

“The respect for creation and the constant concern for its protection belong to the core of our Orthodox identity,” stressed His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in a message for the Day of the protection of creation marked annually on September 1. Patriarch Bartholomew recalls the efforts of the Patriarchate of Constantinople since 1989 to promote “the…

Aug 31, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Halki Summit V becomes an inspiration for environmental projects in Romania

The participants at the Fifth Halki Summit, dedicated to protecting the environment and entitled “Sustaining the Future of the Planet Together”, issued a joint statement at the end of the conference. The participants from Romania met organizations working in the field and discovered inspiration and possibilities for cooperation. In the post-event statement, participants called on…

Jun 27, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Pilot project: Eco-initiatives in the parishes of Romania and the Republic of Moldova

Through “Filantropia” Federation and “Diaconia” Social Mission, the Romanian Orthodox Church is carrying out a pilot project entitled “Eco-initiatives in the parishes of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Romania and the Republic of Moldova.” The project is carried out in partnership with Caritas Ambrosiana, an NGO in Milan, Italy. The project is the first of…

Feb 14, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Avrig Orthodox Parish joins greening activity, collects 32 tons of waste

The faithful of “The Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem” Orthodox Parish in the city of Avrig participated in a greening activity carried out in the vicinity of the locality on March 27, 2021. Under the motto “Let’s clean our souls, but also around us!” the parish community led by priest Ovidiu Stroe helped the municipality with spring…

Apr 6, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch’s message for Sept. 1: Respect for the environment is an act of doxology of God’s name

In his message at the beginning of the new church year, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew states that “respect for the environment is an act of doxology of God’s name, while the destruction of creation is an offense against the Creator, entirely irreconcilable with the basic tenets of Christian theology.” At the initiative of the Patriarchate of…

Aug 28, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Church philanthropy was born of the Gospel and Liturgy, Patriarch Daniel says

‘The charitable work of the Church was born of the Gospel and the Divine Liturgy. The care for the poor in the form of permanent social institutions was inspired by today’s Gospel,” said the Patriarch of Romania in his homily delivered at St. George’s Chapel of the Patriarchal residence on Sunday. Referring to the Gospel…

Aug 4, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Cluj Metropolitan: A more serious environmental education is the natural consequence of what the Lord has done at Epiphany

Offering his reflections on the Church hymns on the feast of Theophany that point to the regeneration and renewal of nature made by Christ through His baptism into the waters, Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj said that a natural consequence is to care more about environmental education. ‘Christ the Lord, by being baptized in the Jordan…

Jan 13, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Church marks World Cleanup Day with litter-pick by youth from Orthodox high schools and other institutions

The Church has joined the ‘Let’s do it, Romania!’ campaign and summoned teams of young students from the theological seminaries across Romania to help out with the clean-up day. Over 180,000 Romanians, most of them students but also volunteers of all ages, have said yes to this year’s national environmental action. On Saturday, Sept. 21,…

Sep 25, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch blesses Ecclesiastical New Year, prays for integrity of creation at Constantinople

His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Sunday officiated the service of the Indiction in the presence of tens of hierarchs and offered prayers for the integrity of creation on the 30th anniversary since the establishment of September 1 as a Day of Prayer for the Protection of the Environment. Following the Divine Liturgy celebrated at…

Sep 1, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch’s Message for Environment Protection Day: The life of the Orthodox Church is applied ecology

In this year’s patriarchal message for the Day of Protection for the Environment, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew noted that ‘the life of the Orthodox Church is applied ecology, a tangible and inviolable respect for the natural environment’. Patriarch Bartholomew cautions that people must understand the world as their home (oikos). ‘The future belongs to righteous justice…

Aug 29, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu