International

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop John of Albania concelebrate in historic Cappadocia church

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and His Beatitude Archbishop John of Albania concelebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the Church of Saint Theodore Tyron in the town of Malakope (Derinkuyu), near an underground city once inhabited by Cappadocian Christians. “Coming here and celebrating the Mystery of the Church through the Divine Eucharist, we…

May 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian monastic cell dedicated to Saints Athanasius and Cyril under construction on Mount Athos

A Romanian monastic cell dedicated to Saints Athanasius and Cyril is being built on Mount Athos. The monastic settlement is located within the Romanian Lakkoskete, which belongs to Saint Paul Monastery. The new cell is being constructed on land donated by the Lakkoskete, in a deep valley surrounded by chestnut forests, a setting suited for…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

New Georgian Patriarch Shio III calls for Church to embrace those ‘outside its walls’

“We must open wide the doors of the Church to everyone. We must also embrace our spiritual children who are outside the walls of the Church and who, like the prodigal son, perhaps do not dare to come to us,” said Patriarch Shio III of Georgia on Tuesday during his enthronement ceremony. The service took…

May 13, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bulgaria allocates €62.5 million for restoration of rural churches and monasteries

The Bulgarian state will invest €62.5 million in restoring churches and monasteries in the country’s rural areas. The announcement was made by Bulgaria’s Minister of Agriculture Ivan Hristanov at the Eleshnitsa Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary, located near the village of Eleshnitsa in the Sofia region. The funds are intended to support the protection…

May 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

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