Soviet repression

Metropolitan Antonie reflects on Soviet-era ‘deportation’ of Romanian Orthodox Church from Bessarabia

“Those of us who belong to the Metropolis of Bessarabia know the injustice that was done to our institution. It was deported just as so many of our fellow countrymen were deported,” Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia said in an interview with TVR Moldova. Against this historical background, the official recognition of the re-established Metropolis of…

Jul 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Conference in Bălți examines 1946–1947 Soviet Famine and preserving historical memory

A conference entitled “The Famine of 1946–1947 — Historical Research and Memorial Testimonies” was held in Bălți at the NordTec Hall of Alecu Russo State University. The event brought together researchers, representatives of public institutions and members of civil society concerned with preserving the memory of one of the most tragic chapters in the history…

Apr 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Putna monastery holds memorial service for victims of Soviet-era Fântâna Albă massacre: They died facing the homeland

The monastic community of Putna Monastery held a memorial service on Wednesday in remembrance of the thousands of Northern Bukovinians massacred by Soviet forces at Fântâna Albă as they attempted to cross peacefully into Romania, seeking refuge in their motherland following the occupation of Northern Bukovina. “A tragedy, a sorrow, a sacrifice about which, for…

Apr 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Foreign Minister says Fântâna Albă victims ‘deserve remembrance’ on 85th anniversary of Massacre

Romania’s Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu said on Wednesday that the victims of the Fântâna Albă massacre “deserve remembrance,” marking 85 years since the tragedy. In a message posted on social media, the minister stressed that the events of April 1, 1941, remain an open wound in the collective conscience: “Not all wounds heal with the…

Apr 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Hundreds Commemorate Victims of Fântâna Albă Massacre in Ukraine’s Chernivtsi Region

Hundreds of Romanians from northern Bukovina gathered on Wednesday to commemorate the victims of the Fântâna Albă massacre at the site of the tragedy in Ukraine’s Chernivtsi region. The memorial service took place in the Varnița forest, where a monument stands in memory of the thousands of Romanians who, on April 1, 1941, following the…

Apr 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romania marks 85 years since Fântâna Albă Massacre, known as ‘Romanian Katyn’

Wednesday, 1 April, marks 85 years since the Fântâna Albă massacre, an event often referred to as the “Romanian Katyn”. In April 1941, Northern Bukovina was part of the Soviet Union following the ultimatum issued to the Kingdom of Romania in June 1940. The predominantly Romanian population was subjected to a campaign of arrests and…

Apr 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Antonie leads memorial in Bălți for Stalinist deportation victims

Bishop Antonie of Bălți officiated a memorial service on Thursday in honor of the victims of Stalinist deportations. The commemorative event took place at a symbolic location in the city of Bălți – the train station from which thousands of people were deported to Siberia and Kazakhstan. Dozens of candles were lit near the Monument…

Jun 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

140 years since the birth of Father John the Stranger, a key figure in the Burning Bush hesychast movement

One hundred forty years have passed since the birth of Father John the Stranger, a priest who introduced the Jesus Prayer to the Bucharest-based Burning Bush hesychast movement, as he had learned it from the elders of Optina Monastery. “John the Stranger” is the name by which Father Ioann Kulygin, born on February 24, 1885,…

Feb 24, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu