International

Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku elected 142nd Patriarch of Georgia

His Eminence Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku was elected Patriarch of Georgia on Monday, becoming the 142nd primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church. According to Georgian media, His Eminence received 22 of 39 votes. The other two candidates — Metropolitan Iobi of Urbnisi and Ruisi received 9 votes, while Metropolitan Grigol of Poti and…

May 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch to journalists: Good is the news, and good news stands at the centre of the Christian life

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople said last week during a visit to the Athens headquarters of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation that, contrary to a common journalistic view, “good itself is the news”. “According to a journalistic opinion which we personally do not share, news does not hide in goodness, and goodness does not constitute…

May 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian ambassador to Cyprus highlights Orthodox ties during farewell visit to Archbishop George

Romanian Ambassador Dan Mihalache paid a visit on Saturday to Archbishop George of New Justiniana and All Cyprus, highlighting the close relations between the sister Orthodox Churches of Romania and Cyprus. The meeting took place in the context of the Romanian diplomat concluding his mandate in Cyprus after five years in office. In a message…

May 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel awards “Faith and Communion” Order to Patriarch Theophilos III

Archimandrite Ioan Meiu, Representative of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the Holy Places and Superior of the Romanian Establishments in Jerusalem, Jericho and Jordan, met on Thursday with Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem. On this occasion, the Representative of the Romanian Patriarchate presented the Patriarch of Jerusalem with the “Faith and Communion” Order, awarded by…

May 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint Irene honoured as patron of Santorini in first official island celebration

Saint Irene the Great Martyr is being celebrated for the first time on Tuesday as the patron saint of Santorini. The decision followed a request by the Metropolis of Thera, Amorgos and Nisioi and was approved by the Municipal Council of Thera. Presidential Decree no. 81/2025 establishes 5 May as an official local holiday in…

May 5, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew encourages promotion of Romanian cultural values during meeting with ICR Istanbul Director

Dragoș Tiberiu Niță, Director of the Romanian Cultural Institute Dimitrie Cantemir Istanbul, met on Wednesday with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople. In a post on his personal Facebook page, Dragoș Tiberiu Niță said the Ecumenical Patriarch encouraged him to continue “promoting Romanian cultural and spiritual values in an international context.” He added…

Apr 30, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew receives Patriarch John X of Antioch at the Phanar

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople received on Tuesday His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Phanar district of Constantinople. The visit took place as Patriarch John X wished to convey his Paschal greetings personally to the Ecumenical Patriarch, following an invitation from Patriarch Bartholomew. The Primate…

Apr 30, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina received in Thessaloniki by Metropolitan Philotheos during pilgrimage

Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina, accompanied by 60 pilgrims from his metropolia, was received on Monday afternoon by Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki. The meeting took place at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Gregory Palamas, where Metropolitan Philotheos welcomed the visitors, expressing his joy at the visit of “Romanian brethren of the same faith.” Also…

Apr 29, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Bishop consecrates chapel at Lakkoskete on Mount Athos

His Grace Bishop Iustin of Maramureș and Sătmar consecrated on Sunday the chapel of the Meeting of the Lord Cell at Lakkoskete on Mount Athos. Joining the service were clergy accompanying the hierarch on his Athonite pilgrimage, together with the skete’s monastic brotherhood. “The main reason for our pilgrimage, that of the delegation of the…

Apr 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Middle East patriarchs renew appeal 13 years after Aleppo bishops’ abduction

Patriarch John X of Antioch and Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II issued a new joint appeal on Wednesday over the 2013 abduction of two Aleppo bishops, calling the unresolved case “an affront of deceit” and renewing a plea for truth and Christian solidarity in the Middle East. The statement referred to the kidnapping of Metropolitan Paul…

Apr 22, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Jerusalem Patriarch says Resurrection is ‘living reality’, urges Christians to remain in Holy Land

“The event of the Resurrection is not merely a remembrance of something belonging to the past, but subsists as a living and active reality, grounded in the mystical power of the Cross,” Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem said in his Easter message this year. “In the sacrifice of the Cross and the victory of the…

Apr 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu