Aurelian Iftimiu

Tens of thousands attend funeral of Georgian Patriarch Ilia II

The funeral of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia took place on Sunday at 12:30 local time, drawing tens of thousands of mourners. The burial service was officiated by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, concelebrating with Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku (Mujiri), Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne of the Georgian Orthodox Church, together…

Mar 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel holds Trisagion for Georgian Patriarch Ilia II on day of funeral

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church officiated a Trisagion service on Sunday at the Chapel of the Great Martyr George within the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest, in memory of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia. The Patriarch of Romania offered prayers for the repose of the soul of the Primate of the Georgian…

Mar 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Thousands pay tribute to Patriarch Ilia II in Tbilisi Cathedral

Thousands of Georgians are paying their final respects to Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia at his coffin in the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) in Tbilisi. The transfer of the patriarch’s coffin from the Patriarchal Residence drew large crowds in a solemn procession through the streets of Tbilisi. According to Orthodoxia News Agency, senior state officials…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Georgian Church calls for faith, repentance and unity after Patriarch Ilia II’s passing

The Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church has called on the people of Georgia to embrace repentance, unity, and spiritual renewal following the passing of Patriarch Ilia II. “Today, our love for the Patriarch must be shown by following his long-standing exhortations; first of all, by confessing our sins before God and one another,…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Greek TV to produce series on St Philothei of Athens, a protectress of women deprived of freedom

Mega Channel in Greece is preparing a television series on the life of Saint Philothei of Athens, commemorated annually on 19 February in the Orthodox calendar. The saint was born in 16th-century Athens as Revoula, the result of her mother’s prayers after being unable to have children. Although she did not wish to marry, she…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Teofil urges Christians to be messengers of peace amid wars

His Grace Bishop Teofil of Trotuș, assistant bishop of the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău, called on Wednesday for Christians to become messengers of peace in a world troubled by wars and conflict. He celebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at the Deleni Skete. In his homily, the bishop said that many minds are…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Basilica News Agency publishes English booklet on newly canonised Romanian Women Saints

The Basilica News Agency has published in English the digital booklet “Synaxis of the Holy Romanian Women”, dedicated to the women saints whose canonisation was proclaimed on 6 February at the Patriarchal Cathedral. The publication is prefaced by excerpts from an address delivered by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania on the first day of…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Macarie baptises Greenland youth inspired by Romanian Saint Cleopas

His Grace Bishop Macarie Drăgoi of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe baptised a young Greenlander on Thursday, who received the name of Saint Cleopas (Ilie) of Sihăstria. The bishop noted that the young man had been influenced by the writings of the Romanian saint and wished to bear his name. “Accompanied from Scandinavia…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Ilia II remembered for contributions to Georgian church music and culture

A lesser-known aspect of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia is his significant contribution to Georgian church hymnography, alongside his long tenure as a pastor and spiritual leader. The Patriarch of Georgia reposed on Tuesday evening at the age of 93, after dedicating more than half his life to patriarchal service. His legacy to the Georgian…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

St Nikolai Velimirović commemorated in Michigan as Metropolitan highlights meaning of the Cross

Saint Nikolai Velimirović was commemorated on Sunday at the Protection of the Mother of God Monastery, where he is honoured as the third patron saint, alongside the Mother of God and John Jacob of Neamț. His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the two Americas celebrated the Divine Liturgy and spoke about following Christ and taking up…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Church representative says Israel situation stable despite attacks, urges caution over misinformation

Archimandrite Ioan Meiu, representative of the Romanian Patriarchate at the Holy Places, said the situation in Israel remains largely unchanged despite ongoing attacks and restrictions, warning that online reports often exaggerate the reality on the ground. “The situation in the Holy Land is almost the same as when the war began. Airspace is closed to…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu