spiritual renewal

Only after you believe God can help you can you begin the journey of renewal, Bishop Iachint says

“Only after you believe that God can help you can you take the first step on the path of renewal and salvation,” His Grace Iachint of the Pacific, Assistant Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, said on Sunday at St Mary Romanian Orthodox Parish in Wellington, New Zealand. Reflecting on…

Aug 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

At first New Zealand liturgy, Bishop Iachint calls Transfiguration a path to spiritual renewal

“To see Christ in the light of His divinity, we too must ascend a Mount Tabor,” Assistant Bishop Iachint of the Pacific of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand said on Thursday at his first Divine Liturgy celebrated in New Zealand. Addressing the faithful of the Romanian Orthodox Parish of the Dormition…

Aug 7, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Benedict urges faithful to leave behind ‘the noise of the outside world’ during Dormition Fast

“Let us set aside, for a time, the noise of the outside world, give shape to the power of communion, and bear witness to the joy of our Orthodox faith,” Bishop Benedict of Sălaj said in a message at the beginning of the Dormition Fast. “We are all called—priests, monastics, and faithful alike—to add greater…

Aug 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox Dormition Fast begins with prayer, fasting and spiritual renewal

The Dormition Fast begins on Friday for Orthodox Christians observing the revised calendar and concludes on 14 August, the eve of the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God. During these two weeks, the faithful are called to fasting, prayer and spiritual purification. Typically, the fasting period starts on 1 August. However, according…

Jul 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Paisie of Sinaia: St John the Baptist teaches us to make room for Christ

“Saint John the Baptist teaches us to make room for Christ in our lives,” Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia said on Wednesday at the Chapel of Romania’s National Cathedral. His Grace highlighted the unique mission of St John the Baptist in the history of salvation and the enduring relevance of his message. “The birth…

Jun 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: St John the Baptist is a protector of families and childless couples

“St John the Baptist is a guardian and protector of families, and a helper of those who have no children,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said on Wednesday, on the feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Forerunner. His Beatitude recalled that the birth of St John was the fruit of the persevering prayers of…

Jun 26, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Bishop in Northern Europe issues seven Lenten guidelines for spiritual renewal

His Grace Bishop Macarie Drăgoi of Northern Europe has offered seven pastoral guidelines for spiritual renewal during Great Lent, urging the faithful to turn the fasting season into a time of reconciliation with God and neighbour, and of concrete solidarity with those who suffer. Ascetic struggle during Lent The bishop called believers to embrace ascetic…

Feb 27, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Nicolae urges balance between fasting and daily responsibilities ahead of Great Lent

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas has called on the faithful, as Great Lent approaches, to maintain “a balance between the effort of fasting and the fulfilment of daily responsibilities.” In his pastoral message marking the beginning of Great Lent, the Metropolitan stressed that this fasting season is not…

Feb 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel says God prefers a humble sinner to an arrogant righteous man, at start of Orthodox Triodion season

Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Daniel said on Sunday that, in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, the decisive criterion before God is not outward correctness, but humility of heart, stressing that “God prefers a humble sinner to an arrogant righteous man.” The Patriarch explained the meaning of the Gospel reading for the 33rd…

Feb 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Time is a life between ‘Passing’ and ‘Coming’: Banat Metropolitan reflects on youth in God’s Kingdom

Metropolitan Ioan of Banat told worshippers gathered at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Timisoara on New Year’s Eve that time is like a life lived between two verbs: “to pass” — which denotes biological ageing and the sombre perception of years slipping away — and “to come”, a verb referring to the way a person responds…

Jan 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Bishop in Ireland and Iceland urges inner renewal in first Christmas pastoral letter

Bishop Nectarie of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Ireland and Iceland underscored the need for inner change and the rediscovery of spiritual purity in the face of contemporary challenges in his first Christmas pastoral letter since his enthronement. “Our renewal begins today — a perpetual today — for before the Lord there is no yesterday,…

Dec 24, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu