Romanians in Italy

The “gilded jewel” Romanian Church in Olbia to build oratory, playground, and parish house

The Romanian Parish of Olbia plans to build an oratory and playground, an access road, a parking area, and a parish house near the wooden church, which the local press has described as a “gilded jewel.” These projects can begin following the concession of an additional 6,000 square meters, provided free of charge by the…

Aug 23, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

How the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy grew to nearly 500 communities in just 16 years

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, which is celebrating its sixteenth anniversary, consists of 478 pastoral-missionary units, 278 of which are parishes. These communities are served by 310 priests and 25 deacons, and 62 parishes own their places of worship. The establishment of the diocese was approved in the last synodal session presided over by…

May 15, 2024Aurelian 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

Exterior lighting of Romanian Church in Olbia fascinates Sardinia press: “a true fairytale marvel”

Last week, the local press wrote about the charming appearance of the new Romanian Orthodox Church in Olbia, a town on the Italian island of Sardinia. The newly installed exterior lighting highlights the holy place. “The original church in the San Nicola neighbourhood, already beautiful during the day, illuminated like this gives the whole neighbourhood…

Aug 17, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Over 100,000 Romanian children were baptized in Italy after bishop Siluan’s enthronement

Italy hosts the largest community of Romanians outside Romania. The first Romanian parish appeared on the peninsula in 1940. Still, it was not until May 8, 2008, that Orthodox Romanians in Italy had their own bishop, in the person of His Grace Bishop Siluan Şpan. Marking the 13th anniversary of Bishop Siluan’s enthronement, Assistant Bishop…

May 18, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

To preserve our identity, we must translate our values into the language of the country in which we live: Romanian priest in Italy

In an interview offered for the Communication Department of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, father Gheorghe Verzea, a parish priest in Padua since 2000, talked about the risk of losing the Romanian identity in the Italian communities. Be smart The priest believes that “we should have the intelligence to learn from older emigrations.” “For…

Apr 6, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu