pastoral care

7,000 akathists of St Demetrius the New distributed in Romanian prisons

The blessing of St Demetrius the New was brought to prisons throughout the Archdiocese of Bucharest on 13–14 July 2026 during a pilgrimage with a vestment that once covered the saint’s relics. At the same time, 7,000 copies of the saint’s Akathist were distributed to inmates and prison staff. On 13 July, the vestment and…

Jul 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox priests in psychiatry hospitals hold first national conference

The first national conference of charity priests serving in psychiatric hospitals is taking place this week at the Voila Psychiatric Hospital in Câmpina. Participants highlighted the importance of cooperation between medical professionals and Church ministers in the healing of patients “in body, mind and soul.” The event opened Tuesday with the Divine Liturgy in the…

Feb 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

UK Romanian priest calls for dialogue between theology and psychology in addressing mental health

“A spiritual father needs to distinguish between a mental disorder and a spiritual disturbance,” Father Justin Mihoc said in an interview for the Hristocentric project, underlining the need for dialogue between theology and psychology in contemporary society. Father Justin Mihoc is the parish priest of the Romanian community in Durham, in northern England. He is…

Jan 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel marks 18 years as Head of Romanian Church, urges Europe to uphold Christian values

On the 18th anniversary of his enthronement, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church emphasised the need to emphasise spiritual values in order to live eternally in the love, peace, and joy of the Holy Trinity, as both Romanians and Europeans. “We must also emphasise the spiritual values that help us not only to live…

Sep 30, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian priests in Italy discuss dangers of drug use and other addictions

The clergy of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy deliberated last week on the perils associated with substance abuse, as well as methods of pastoral care and rehabilitation for individuals afflicted with addictions. Saint Theotimus of Tomis Parish in Giaveno served as the host parish for the spring semi-annual pastoral conference of the Diocese, where…

Apr 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch of Romania: Revering and helping the elderly are expressions of spiritual and social maturity in community life

During a ceremony on New Year’s Day at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest when 2023 was officially proclaimed as Solemn Year of the pastoral care of the elderly and Commemorative Year of hymnographers and church chanters, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel addressed the faithful, stressing that a community’s social maturity can be evaluated by the way…

Jan 12, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Solemn, Commemorative Year 2023 officially proclaimed. It is a great opportunity to visit the elderly, Patriarch Daniel says

The Solemn and Commemorative Year 2023 was officially proclaimed at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest after the Divine Liturgy celebrated on New Year’s Day. The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church declared 2023 as a Solemn Year of the pastoral care of the elderly and a Commemorative Year of hymnographers and church chanters. The…

Jan 5, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod declares 2023 a Solemn Year of the pastoral care of the elderly and a Commemorative Year of hymnographers and church chanters

During its working session on December 16, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church declared 2023 a Solemn Year of the pastoral care of the elderly and a Commemorative Year of hymnographers and church chanters in the Romanian Patriarchate. “These grandparents who have worked all their lives must also be remembered in the Church’s…

Dec 25, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Bucharest Archdiocese, Prahova Probation Service sign agreement to help convicts reintegrate socially

Following on a number of agreements with local probation services, the Archdiocese of Bucharest of the Romanian Orthodox Church is actively assisting convicts in the process of social reintegration. The Archdiocese signed an agreement with the Bucharest Probation Service and the Ilfov County Probation Service in December, and on Monday, October 4, it signed another…

Oct 6, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate blesses and supports communion of Romanians everywhere: Patriarch Daniel

In a message occasioned by the 162nd anniversary of the Union of the Romanian Principalities, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel stressed that “the Romanian Patriarchate blesses and supports the communion of Romanians everywhere.” The message has three main topics including the declaration of 2021 as a Solemn Year of the pastoral care of Romanians outside Romania,…

Jan 26, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

They are the Patron Saints of Romanians outside Romania

Whether they are part of the Romanian communities in the vicinity of the country’s borders, or whether they have gone to work, study or settled permanently in other places than their homeland, Romanian Orthodox believers are in the care of the Church on all meridians of the globe. “Romanians outside Romania” are generically named by…

Jan 8, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu