Metropolitan Iosif

First Romanian Orthodox parish in Netherlands marks 45 years with anniversary liturgy

The St Gregory the Theologian Parish in Schiedam/Rotterdam—the first Romanian Orthodox parish in the Netherlands—celebrated its patron saint and marked 45 years since its founding on Sunday. On this occasion, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe, together with the parish priest, Ioan Dură, and Fr. Laurent Van Damme…

Jan 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif offers condolences, prays for Swiss fire victims in hospitals

Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe on Friday conveyed condolences to the families of victims of the deadly fire at the Crans-Montana mountain resort in Switzerland, which broke out on New Year’s Eve and claimed dozens of lives. Swiss authorities have said the blaze killed at least 40 people and left 119…

Jan 5, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Western & Southern Europe Metropolitan Iosif celebrates name day on feast of Saint Joseph of Arimathea

His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif, Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of Western and Southern Europe, celebrates his spiritual patron on Thursday, as the Church commemorates Saint Joseph of Arimathea, the nobleman who laid Christ’s body in the tomb. Metropolitan Iosif was born on February 19, 1966, in Vișeu de Jos, Maramureș County, Romania. He graduated from “Gheorghe Șincai”…

Jul 31, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif celebrates first liturgy in new Romanian Orthodox Cathedral in London on Palm Sunday

His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe celebrated the first Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the new Archdiocesan Cathedral “Saint George the Great Martyr” in London, following extensive restoration works completed after the acquisition of the new church building. Hundreds of Romanian faithful from the British capital participated in the Palm Sunday service.…

Apr 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Hieromartyr Liviu Galaction’s sainthood locally proclaimed at Cluj-Napoca Cathedral during Annunciation Feast

The local proclamation of Saint Liviu Galaction took place on Tuesday at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Cluj-Napoca. The solemn event coincided with the patronal feast of the Metropolis of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj, together with an assembly of ten hierarchs of the…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif joins patronal feast in Brussels: Fasting restores our place in Paradise

On Sunday, His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the “Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and Saint Gertrude of Nivelles” Parish in Uccle, Brussels. “When we fast, we reclaim our place in Paradise, for Adam and Eve ate the fruits that God provided for them in Eden. When…

Mar 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif and Romania’s Ambassador to Paris attend joint session of French and Romanian Academies

On Thursday, the Académie Française hosted a joint session with the Romanian Academy at its headquarters in Paris, commemorating 145 years of diplomatic relations between France and Romania. Among the attendees were: Metropolitan Iosif of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe, Clara Staicu, Romanian State Secretary for European Affairs, Ioana Bivolaru, Romania’s…

Feb 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Iosif urges UK youth to answer God’s call: “The Church is our response to His invitation”

His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe spoke to the youth of Nepsis UK about God’s invitation in the Parable of the Great Banquet. “The Church is our response to God’s call,” His Eminence emphasized. The Divine Liturgy celebrated on Sunday at “Saint George” Parish in London-Holborn concluded the Nepsis UK Youth Congress,…

Dec 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Church consecration in Durham: Christ rejoices in every gesture done in His name

“The Lord Christ rejoices at every gesture, every thought, and every action we do for Him and in His name. Even more so when we build Him a house,” said Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe at the consecration ceremony of the church in Durham, United Kingdom. The consecration service was officiated on Saturday,…

Oct 15, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanians from 34 countries pray at Patriarchal Cathedral: Turn dispersion into an asset for our nation

Over 400 Romanians coming from 34 countries around the world gathered in prayer at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest last Sunday to mark the Day of Romanians Everywhere. The Divine Liturgy was led by His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe, having as concelebrant Bishop Ieronim of Dacia Felix. “Perhaps our incapability, the…

May 31, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Metropolitan Cathedral in Paris marks triple anniversary: “Students are our predecessors here”

The patronal feast of the Romanian Metropolitan Cathedral in Paris, which is dedicated to the Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, was celebrated the previous weekend with an extended programme. The celebrations commemorated three anniversaries: 170 years since the founding of the Romanian Orthodox community in Paris, 140 years since the acquisition of the church…

Nov 10, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu