religious affairs

Patriarch Daniel calls for shared responsibility in promoting interfaith dialogue

Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Daniel has called for “shared responsibility” among religious communities and state institutions in promoting mutual respect, social peace and interreligious dialogue, warning that antisemitism, xenophobia and all forms of intolerance have no place in public life. In a message addressed to a working meeting between representatives of Romania’s recognised religious denominations and…

Jan 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania’s religious leaders and Government meet to tackle antisemitism and hate speech

Representatives of the religious denominations officially recognised in Romania and government officials met on Friday to discuss the prevention and combating of antisemitism and other forms of intolerance. The delegate of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church, was His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, the Holy Synod’s general secretary.…

Jan 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian State Secretary visits Chișinău to strengthen ties with Metropolis of Bessarabia

Ciprian-Vasile Olinici, State Secretary for Religious Affairs in the Romanian Government, visited the Metropolitan Residence in Chișinău last Thursday, where he was received by the Metropolitan of Bessarabia. The discussions focused on the pastoral, social, and cultural activities of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, as well as on projects supported by the Romanian state. Father Gabriel-Andrei…

May 26, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian lawmakers establish National Day honouring religious freedom and the role of faith communities

Last week, the Chamber of Deputies approved a law establishing May 16 as the National Day of Religious Freedom and the Contribution of Religious Denominations to Romanian Society. The Senate passed the bill at the end of last year, and the law’s final version was submitted on Wednesday to the Secretary-General for potential constitutional review.…

May 22, 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

Oradea hosts meeting of religious representatives. Romanian Gov’t to fund religious denominations for socio-medical projects

The Roman Catholic Episcopal Palace in Oradea hosted a meeting on Tuesday between representatives of religious denominations and the Romanian government. The State Secretariat for Religious Affairs organised the event, which included key announcements, such as the government’s decision to fund socio-medical establishments run by religious groups. Ciprian-Vasile Olinici, Secretary of State for Religious Affairs,…

Oct 10, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Hungary’s Secretary of State for Churches, Minorities and Civil Affairs visits Romanian Patriarchate

Mr. Soltész Miklós, Hungary’s Secretary of State for Churches, Minorities, and Civil Affairs, was received by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești at the Patriarchal Palace on July 19. After visiting the Patriarchal Cathedral and Palace, the Hungarian delegation was welcomed at Saint Nicetas of Remesiana Salon at the Patriarchal Palace, where discussions were held…

Jul 24, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel meets with Mahmoud Al Habbash, Palestinian President’s Advisor for Religious Affairs

On Tuesday, September 13, 2022, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed at the patriarchal residence the Advisor for Religious Affairs to the President of the State of Palestine, Mr Mahmoud Al Habbash. Mr Mahmoud Al Habbash thanked the Patriarch for the audience. On behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas, he conveyed warm wishes of health and success…

Sep 21, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu