First Ecumenical Council

Cluj Metropolitan in Spain: Christ’s Gospel easier fulfilled if all Christians are one

His Eminence Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the Romanian Orthodox parish in Alcalá de Henares, where he stressed that “if all were one, the Gospel of Christ would be fulfilled more easily”. The Metropolitan’s visit to the Romanian community took place in the context of his participation in the…

May 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam says Church unity is preserved through true faith and prayer

“The unity of the Church is preserved through the confession of the true faith, but also through prayer, through supplication offered to the Holy Spirit,” Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești underlined on Sunday. His Grace celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral on the Seventh Sunday after Pascha, dedicated to the Holy Fathers…

May 25, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: We must pray for the unity of the Church, not only speak about it

“It is not enough to speak about the unity of the Church; we must also pray for it,” Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said in his sermon on the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council. His Beatitude attended the Divine Liturgy celebrated on Sunday at the historic chapel of…

May 25, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel praises legacy of Saint Paul and First Ecumenical Council in 2025 “Pavleia” Congress message

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church conveyed a message of spiritual encouragement and theological reflection to the participants of the 31st edition of the Pavleia International Scientific Congress, dedicated to the Holy Apostle Paul. This year’s Pavleia Congress focuses on the theme “Apostle Paul and the First Ecumenical Council,” which marks the…

Jun 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Saint Constantine stood, not sat on a throne, at Nicaea Council out of reverence for persecuted bishops

At the historic patronal feast of the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel spoke about the deep respect that Emperor Constantine the Great showed toward bishops persecuted by his predecessors. Recalling the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council, the Patriarch emphasized that Saint Constantine initiated and presided over the ecclesiastical event. “When…

May 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

1,700 years since First Ecumenical Council: A foundational moment in shaping Christian doctrine

Exactly 1,700 years ago, on May 20, the First Ecumenical Council (of the entire Church) was convened in Nicaea — a foundational moment in shaping Christian doctrine. The Arian doctrine, which claimed that God the Son does not share the exact nature as God the Father, was the main reason that made a universal meeting…

May 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

National Symposium in Teleorman to mark Patriarchate’s Centennial and First Ecumenical Council anniversary

A national symposium commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Romanian Patriarchate and the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea will take place in early May at Pantocrator Monastery in Teleorman, coinciding with the arrival of the relics of the Holy Empress Helena. The symposium, titled “Faith, Service, and History in the Ecclesial…

Mar 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

1700 years since the First Ecumenical Council: Theology scholar presents context of Nicaea

In an interview with Lumina Newspaper, Rev. Prof. Viorel Ioniță reflected on the historical and theological context of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, which marks its 1700th anniversary this year. Father Ioniță, an honorary patriarchal counselor and experienced professor of theology, discussed the reasons for convening the Council, the preserved documents, its impact on…

Feb 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Bishop visits Nicaea, marking 1700 years since the First Ecumenical Council

On Monday, Bishop Iustin of Maramureș and Sătmar visited Nicaea, the city where the First Ecumenical Council was held 1,700 years ago. The visit is part of an extensive pilgrimage from February 6 to 11, covering several monasteries and historic sites in Cappadocia and Asia Minor. Among the significant stops was the church where the…

Feb 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Renowned theologians to gather in Bucharest for Symposium on the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea

Internationally renowned theologians and professors will participate in the symposium “The First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325): Orthodox Faith – The Foundation of Church Unity” organized by the Romanian Patriarchate from May 13 to 17 in Bucharest. Distinguished Participants The list of notable guests includes: His Eminence Metropolitan Job (Getcha) of Pisidia (Ecumenical Patriarchate), His…

Jan 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Benelux Orthodox Bishops meet in Brussels: Romanian Patriarchate, Nicaea Council anniversaries highlighted

The 100th anniversary of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s elevation to the patriarchal rank was a key topic at the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in Benelux (CEOB), held Wednesday, November 6, at the Ambiorix Center in Brussels. Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium chaired the meeting, which included hierarchs from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Moscow Patriarchate, the…

Nov 11, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu