Orthodox Church

South Korean medical student baptised into Orthodox Church in Romania

Kim Hyeonwoo, a 25-year-old medical student from South Korea, was baptised into the Orthodox faith last Thursday at a church in Vaslui County, in eastern Romania. The sacrament was officiated by Archpriest Andrei Mereuță, dean of Bârlad, while the young man’s sponsors were Fr Sabin Apopei and his wife Maria, who guided him on the…

Mar 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

The Week in Pictures: July 21-27, 2025

Summer is not just a time for vacations, but a blessed season — a time for growing in Christ and deepening our fellowship with one another. We invite you to explore our photo selection from July 21 to 27, 2025. Last week’s most-liked Instagram post:   Vezi această postare pe Instagram   O postare distribuită…

Jul 29, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Sanctification of humankind was the purpose of Pentecost, Patriarch Daniel explains

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel explained that the Sunday of All Saints follows immediately after Pentecost because “the purpose of the coming of the Holy Spirit into the world is the sanctification of humankind.” The Patriarch emphasized that this feast primarily reveals the ultimate goal for which Christ founded the Church. “The Church of Christ was…

Jun 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Nine years since the Holy and Great Council: Romanian Orthodox Church’s consistent contribution

Monday marks nine years since the opening of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, which brought together hierarchs from ten autocephalous Orthodox Churches in Crete. The Romanian delegation included 25 hierarchs. The Council took place between June 16–26, 2016, preceded by a preparatory working committee from June 9–16. Key topics addressed included:…

Jun 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Teofan celebrates Iași Byzantine Music Festival as tribute to Saint Constantine’s legacy

His Eminence Metropolitan Teofan celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iași, where he spoke about the Iași Byzantine Music Festival as a sign of gratitude for the legacy bestowed upon Moldavia through the labors of Saint Constantine the Great. “A few venues in the city, in Botoșani, and in Piatra…

May 26, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Pastoral Letter of the Holy Synod for the Sunday of Orthodoxy 2025

In its traditional pastoral letter for the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church emphasizes the pedagogical role of holy icons, which serve as guides leading to Christ, the Source of all holiness. Within the context of the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate, the Synod states: “For us, Romanians, the Sunday…

Mar 7, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Academy President: Patriarchate was a natural step after Great Union, but required major effort

The establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate was a natural consequence of the enthusiasm that followed the Great Union of 1918, but achieving it required immense effort from the country’s leadership, said Academician Ioan-Aurel Pop, President of the Romanian Academy, in an interview published in Lumina Newspaper on the occasion of the Centennial of the Romanian…

Feb 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

“Dare to Be Different” – Bishop Damaschin urges youth to preserve their freedom for God

On Orthodox Youth Day, Bishop Damaschin of Dorna, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți, encouraged young people to think differently, resist conforming to societal trends, and uphold Christian values. “Do not be afraid to be different, to stand out from the trend, to distinguish yourselves—without judging those who think, speak, and live…

Feb 3, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

CROCEU meeting in Istanbul strengthens Orthodox Church dialogue with the European Union

The Committee of Representatives of Orthodox Churches to the European Union (CROCEU) held its annual meeting from November 20 to November 23 in Istanbul under the auspices of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople. The event commenced with religious services held in historic locations and included discussions on enhancing dialogue between the Orthodox…

Nov 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Dialogue between Orthodox Church and Oriental Churches resumes after 31 years in Cairo

Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches resumed in Cairo this week after a 31-year hiatus. The joint dialogue commission’s meetings took place on September 16-17 at the Monastery of Abba Bishoy in Cairo, a monastic settlement belonging to the Coptic Church. His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate…

Sep 18, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox parishes in the US show strong post-pandemic recovery, outperforming other denominations

A recent study published by the Hartford Institute for Religion revealed that Orthodox parishes in the US experienced a smaller decline in congregational numbers during the pandemic than other religious denominations and have been more successful in attracting new members during this period. Nationally, all liturgical communities in the US, regardless of denomination, lost an…

Aug 28, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu