The first week of Lent is important for all Christian Orthodox and culminates with an icon procession on the Sunday of Orthodoxy. Please see below our selection of photos taken in the week of March 18–24, 2024.
It snowed with big flakes at Sihla Monastery, Romania, on the first day of Lent, March 18, 2024. Photo credit: DoxologiaHis Grace Varlaam of Ploiești, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop, read the first part of the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, Romania, on March 18, 2024. Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela EneAn elderly woman walks home after attending the Great Canon service at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest on March 18, 2024. Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela EneInterior painting at the Church of Saint Demetrius in Bacău, Romania. Photo credit: Archdiocese of Roman and BacăuEvery staircase symbolizes lifting oneself – either spiritually or physically. Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Hierodeacon Nicolae IftimiuA 360-degree view of the Patriarchal Ensemble in Bucharest, Romania. Photo credit: George IonițăSpring is making its presence felt in Iași, Romania. Photo credit: Doxologia / Fr. Silviu CluciHis Grace Paisie of Sinaia, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop, read the second part of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, Romania. Photo credit: Ziarul Lumina / Luigi IvanciuHis Grace Timotei of Prahova, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, read the Great Canon at the Patriarchal Cathedral on March 20, 2024. Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Mircea FlorescuFather Calinic, the spiritual guide of Pasărea Monastery, near Bucharest, read the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. Photo credit: Gabriel DrumeaThe hierarchs of the Metropolis of Cluj visited the construction site of the “Saint Christopher” Paediatric Palliative Care Centre in Sânnicoară, Cluj county, Romania, on March 22, 2024. Photo credit: Metropolis of Cluj / Ionuț ChifaHis Grace Benedict of Bistrița celebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at the “Holy Emperors Constantine and Helen” Church in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, on March 22, 2024. Photo credit: Metropolis of Cluj / Ionuț ChifaThe relics of St. Demetrius the New were taken to the Church of the Icon in Bucharest, the first place in our country where the saint’s image was painted, on March 23, 2024. The event was part of the historic pilgrimage organized in the Archdiocese of Bucharest with the saint’s relics 250 years after their arrival to Romania. Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela EneThe March for Life in the Sascut Deanery, Romania, on March 22, 2024. Photo credit: Archdiocese of Roman and BacăuRomania’s National Cathedral, or the Cathedral of the People’s Salvation in Bucharest, seen at sunset. Photo credit: Adumitroaie IustinianVeronica holds the icon of her patron saint on the Sundayof Orthodoxy, March 24, 2024. Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela EneProcession with icons on the Sunday of Orthodoxy in Tirana, Albania, on March 24, 2024. Photo credit: Autocephalous Church of AlbaniaThe face of an acolyte seen in candlelight at the Munich Romanian Church Centre. Photo credit: Facebook / Centrul Bisericesc MünchenHis Grace Galaction blessed the icons at Pantocrator Monastery, Romania, on March 24, 2024. Photo credit: Facebook / Mănăstirea PantocratorSunday of Orthodoxy at the Archdiocesan Cathedral in Galaţi, Romania, on March 24, 2024. Photo credit: Archdiocese of Lower DanubeProcession with icons at Nera Monastery, Romania, on the Sunday of Orthodoxy. Photo credit: Instagram / Nera PlantThe Sunday of Orthodoxy in Jerusalem. Photo credit: Jerusalem Patriarchate101-year-old priest in prayer at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest on March 24, 2024. Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela EneSunrise at Cernica Monastery near Bucharest, Romania. Photo credit: Facebook / Mănăstirea CernicaHis Grace Iustin blessed the icons brought for the procession organized in the Sunday of Orthodoxy at the “Holy Trinity” Diocesan Cathedral in Baia Mare, Romania, on March 24, 2024. Photo credit: Diocese of Maramureș and SătmarFaithful holding icons of the Mother of God during the Vespers united with Litya religious services officiated before the Feast of the Annunciation at the Archdiocesan Cathedral in Roman on March 24, 2024. Photo credit: Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău
Do you want to be featured in our weekly selection of photos?
We would gladly include one of your photos depicting Orthodox life in our weekly selection. All you have to do is send the picture(s) you have taken to our email address [foto @ basilica.ro] along with a short description. Please mention WIP (Week in Pictures) in the email subject line. Please note that every WIP article will include photos taken in the previous week.
On Wednesday, 3 June 2026, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church convened for a working session in the “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch…
As part of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s Commemorative Year of Holy Women in the Calendar, Basilica.ro continues its Digital Matericon series, a monthly project dedicated to presenting the lives and spiritual legacy of women saints…
The local proclamation of the canonisation of St Philothea of Pasărea and St Elizabeth of Pasărea will take place on 5 June 2026. To mark the occasion, an extensive liturgical programme will be held at…
Orthodox Christians are observing a fast-free week, during which there is no fasting on Wednesday or Friday, before the beginning of the Fast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. This year, the fast will…
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…