Romanians in France

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

Romanian Orthodox scouts from France visit Patriarchate to deepen faith and cultural identity

A group of Romanian Orthodox scouts from France visited the Patriarchal Palace on Tuesday, where a delegation of 18 children, accompanied by their leaders, was received in the Conventus Hall by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, general secretary of the Holy Synod. The bishop addressed the scouts with a message highlighting the importance of…

Apr 22, 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

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

Assistant Bishop Marc of Neamț leads patronal feast at first Romanian-built Orthodox church in France

His Grace Marc of Nemț, Assistant Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Western Europe, celebrated the Divine Liturgy last Friday for the patronal feast of the first Orthodox place of worship built by Romanians in France, in La Courneuve. The church is dedicated to the Three Holy Hierarchs, who were honoured by the clergy…

Feb 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian immigration drives growth of Orthodox Christianity in France, study finds

Romanian immigration over the last 14 years has been a driving force in the growth of Orthodoxy in France. This is the conclusion of a study conducted by Father Jivko Panev and recently published on the website Orthodoxie.com. Between 2010 and 2024, the number of places of worship owned by Romanian Orthodox parishes in France…

Nov 24, 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

Romanian community restores church near Paris in historic Van Gogh village

Eight years after being acquired by the Romanian Orthodox community, the Church of Saint Anthimos the Iberian in Auvers-sur-Oise, a commune 30 km from Paris, is undergoing extensive restoration. Currently, restoration efforts focus on the interior frescoes and the renovation of the courtyard. Ongoing Restoration Efforts Shortly after its acquisition, the church was adapted to…

Feb 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

France: Restoration of Romanian Church in Tours’ historic centre makes significant progress

The restoration of the Church of Saints Nectarios and Martin in Tours is advancing significantly. The stained glass windows and portions of the main façade have recently been restored. The Romanian community purchased the church, a historic monument, 15 years ago with support from the Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe. Restoration efforts began five…

Nov 22, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe marks 75th anniversary

The Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe (MOREOM) marked its 75th anniversary alongside the patronal feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael Cathedral in Paris. Events began last Thursday with a pilgrimage to the Paris cathedral, bringing the relic of Saint Nicholas from “St. George-New” Church in Bucharest. The cathedral patronal feast…

Nov 11, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Paris Cathedral patronal feast: Bishop of Italy urges communion with unseen creation

On Friday, November 8, His Grace Bishop Siluan of Italy led the assembly of hierarchs in a service celebrating the patronal feast of the Romanian Orthodox Cathedral of “Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael” in Paris. During the sermon, he emphasized the importance of our relationship with God’s unseen creation. “Today we celebrate God’s unseen servants,…

Nov 11, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu