The Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO) convened its annual session in Bucharest this week, with the opening ceremony held Tuesday at the Palace of the Parliament.
“We encourage you to continue working together to promote justice, peace, and human dignity, in order to bear witness, through word and deed, to the merciful love of the Heavenly Father,” urged the Patriarch of Romania in a message for the inaugural ceremony.
Representing the Patriarch at the event was protosyncellus Augustin Coman, Patriarchal Counselor and Coordinator of the External Relations Department of the Patriarchal Administration.
Delegations from several European countries are participating in the session, alongside politicians, representatives of public institutions, academics, and members of the Orthodox Churches.
The event was formally opened by IAO President and Romanian MP Ioan Vulpescu, who emphasized the significance of the occasion for Romania.
“Romania is a founding member of this organization, alongside Greece, and holds the presidency for the first time since 1923. We are also pleased to have representatives from the Republic of Moldova, who support our efforts to promote Christian values. This year’s theme addresses artificial intelligence and how it can be used constructively,” Vulpescu said.
The Romanian MP also noted that 2025 is a landmark year for the Orthodox Church, marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, the 140th anniversary of the recognition of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s autocephaly, and the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Romanian Patriarchate—“essential milestones for both Romania and the Christian world.”
The IAO’s annual session runs through Friday and marks the Assembly’s 32nd edition. Last year’s session was held in Palermo, Sicily.
For more pictures, please visit our Photo gallery section.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene
Follow our WhatsApp channel!
