Romanians in Italy

Bishop Siluan of Italy mourns Pope Francis, thanks him for support to Romanian Orthodox communities

A condolence message from Bishop Siluan of Italy was published in Italian on the official website of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy following the passing of Pope Francis, who reposed on Monday, April 21, at 07:35 (Rome time) in Vatican City after a period of illness. In his message, Bishop Siluan expressed both sorrow…

Apr 21, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Siluan of Italy turns 55

On Wednesday, His Grace Bishop Siluan of Italy marks his 55th birthday. Born on March 5, 1970, in Gura Râului, Sibiu County, he was the fourth of six children in a priest’s family. Theological Studies and Early Ministry Between 1989 and 1993, he studied at the Andrei Șaguna Faculty of Theology in Sibiu, followed by…

Mar 5, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian officials discuss Orthodox pastoral care and Christian solidarity in Italy

The President of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, MP Ionuț Vulpescu, and Romania’s Ambassador to the Holy See, His Excellency George Bologan, were received on Monday by Bishop Siluan at the headquarters of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy. During their meeting with Bishop Siluan, the discussion emphasized and appreciated the spiritual and social assistance…

Feb 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

UK’s Romanian Orthodox Archbishop-elect bids farewell to Italy after 17 years of ministry

His Grace Atanasie, recently elected as the first Archbishop of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, bid farewell to the Romanian Orthodox community in Italy on Sunday after 17 years of ministry. The archbishop-elect celebrated his final Divine Liturgy at the Eparchial Center in Rome, where he urged the faithful to…

Feb 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

4,750 baptisms and expanding parishes: Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy thrives in 2024

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy concluded 2024 with an intensive pastoral effort, reflected in the remarkable number of religious services conducted across its 295 parishes. Over the year, the diocese recorded 4,750 baptisms, 167 conversions or re-conversions to Orthodoxy, 1,171 weddings, and 393 funerals. These figures underscore both the vibrancy of the Romanian Orthodox…

Feb 13, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy gains official status in Italy

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy is officially being recognized as a religion in Italy. Alfredo Mantovano, Undersecretary of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, and Bishop Siluan signed the agreement on Monday at the Government State Office in Rome. The proposed law will now be presented to the Italian Parliament for approval. Key…

Jan 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

UK’s Romanian Archbishop-elect officiates Vespers in Italian at St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica

On Monday, the newly elected Archbishop Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland officiated the Vespers service in Italian at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, where the tomb of St. Paul the Apostle is located. Numerous Romanian clerics from the Lazio region were part of the clergy assembly. At the…

Jan 23, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox community in Faenza receives historic church as a Christmas gift

This Christmas brought a remarkable gift to Romanians in Faenza, Italy: the Roman Catholic Diocese of Faenza-Modigliana donated the historic San Rocco Church to the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy for use by the local Romanian parish. The donation agreement was signed on December 18 by His Grace Bishop Siluan of Italy and Monsignor Mario…

Dec 31, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox community in Viareggio secures parish complex after a decade of use

The Orthodox community in Viareggio has successfully acquired the parish complex, where it has been active for the past ten years. Since April, the parish of the Prophet Isaiah received approval for a grant from the Department for Romanians Abroad to fund the purchase of the worship complex it has been using, which meets its…

Nov 20, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Construction of Orthodox Church for Romanians in Legnago, Italy, progresses rapidly

Work on the Romanian Orthodox Church in Legnago, Italy, has advanced swiftly since Bishop Siluan of Italy blessed the foundation in July. Although the parish was established in 2011, the approximately 600 Romanians in the area have not had their own place of worship. Since August 1, construction has focused on the structural walls, the…

Oct 3, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Ambassador visits Cagliari parish during official visit to Sardinia

Her Excellency Gabriela Dancău, the Romanian Ambassador to the Republic of Italy, visited the Sardinia region on September 23-24 to mark the establishment of Romania’s Consular Agency in Cagliari. During the visit, Ambassador Gabriela Dancău visited the “Hieromartyr Anthimos the Iberian” Parish and assured the community members of the support of the Romanian Embassy in…

Sep 27, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu