Metropolitan Iosif

Romanian church in Boian, Canada, consecrated three years after devastating fire

The Romanian community’s new church in Boian, Alberta, Canada, was consecrated on the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, three years after a fire destroyed the old place of worship. His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian of Canada described the occasion as “a new rebirth for the Boian community”, as well as a…

Aug 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian metropolitan visits Canada: We pass from death to life by being filled with Christ

“The feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God is such a great feast because the Mother of God chose humility, just like her Son,” Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe said on Friday evening at the Romanian Orthodox parish in Boian, Alberta, Canada. His Eminence celebrated the all-night vigil for…

Aug 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe marks name day

His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe celebrates his name day on Friday, when the Orthodox Church commemorates St. Joseph of Arimathea. The Holy and Righteous Joseph of Arimathea is commemorated by the Orthodox Church on 31 July. A secret disciple of Jesus Christ, he joined Nicodemus in taking down the Lord’s body…

Jul 31, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif celebrates Liturgy with multinational Orthodox community in Lugano

His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the Romanian Orthodox Parish in Lugano, Switzerland, a community composed of faithful from several nationalities. The metropolitan presided over the service in the presence of more than 170 members of the Orthodox community from Lugano and neighbouring localities. Among…

Jun 10, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif Commemorates Romanian WWI Heroes at France’s Largest Romanian Military Cemetery

Romanian heroes of the First World War were commemorated by Metropolitan Iosif at Soultzmatt, France. The event was organised by several Romanian Orthodox communities in the region. The commemoration took place on Saturday at the only and largest Romanian military cemetery in France. The memorial service was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony. Numerous Romanian faithful…

Jun 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif meets young finalists of Christian oratory festival in Paris

Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe met at the end of last week with the young participants in the final stage of the Christian Oratory Festival-Competition “Saint John Chrysostom”. The event brought together more than 100 young people from the four countries of the Archdiocese — Belgium, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands — at…

May 13, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox church consecrated near Paris, seen as ‘new window to heaven’

A Romanian Orthodox church in Clichy, in the Paris metropolitan area, was consecrated on Saturday by an assembly of bishops led by Metropolitan Iosif Pop, who described the place of worship as “a new window to heaven.” The “Descent of the Holy Spirit” Church was purchased in 2022 by parish priest Aurel Grigoraș using personal…

Apr 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif urges diaspora to live the Resurrection, not just proclaim it

“We are called not only to say ‘Christ is risen’, but to show through our lives that Christ is alive. Let us become people of the Resurrection—people of light, peace, forgiveness and love,” Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe said in his Easter pastoral letter to Romanians in the diaspora. He stressed that the…

Apr 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarch praises Metropolitan Iosif’s diaspora ministry on 60th birthday

Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church has sent a congratulatory message to Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe on the occasion of his 60th birthday, praising his missionary zeal, pastoral dedication and efforts to strengthen Romanian Orthodox communities across the diaspora. In the message, the Patriarch of Romania highlights Metropolitan Iosif’s role as…

Feb 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe turns 60

His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe turned 60 on Thursday, marking a milestone in a life dedicated to the service of the Church. Metropolitan Iosif was born on 19 February 1966 in Vișeu de Jos, Maramureș County, northern Romania. He graduated from “Gheorghe Șincai” High School in Baia Mare, the “Andrei Șaguna”…

Feb 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Parish in Nice marks 25th anniversary; Church and State representatives celebrate with community

The Romanian Orthodox Parish in Nice marked on Saturday the 25th anniversary of its establishment and the 10th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone for its new church. The celebration provided an opportunity to inaugurate the new iconostasis and the Holy Table, whose installation crowns the works at the new church on Boulevard…

Feb 17, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu