International

Metropolitan Shio, locum tenens: Patriarch Ilia was an epochal figure; great loss for Orthodox Church worldwide

“Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II has fallen asleep in the Lord. He was a man of an epoch, and his passing is an immeasurable loss for the entire world Orthodox Church,” said Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku (Mujiri), Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne. He created a whole epoch According to the website…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Georgian Ambassador mourns Patriarch Ilia II, praises humility and ‘quiet strength’

The Ambassador of Georgia to Romania, Tamar Beruchashvili, said the late Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia was “a spiritual shepherd in the truest sense,” guiding his people with humility, wisdom and quiet strength through times of trial and change. Speaking to Basilica.ro after news of the patriarch’s death, she described it as “an immense loss…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Georgia to bury Patriarch Ilia II on March 22 at Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi

His Beatitude Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia will be laid to rest on Sunday, 22 March, at the Sioni Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Tbilisi, the Georgian Orthodox Church announced. The decision was presented by Metropolitan Jobi of Urbnisi and Ruisi, who described the late patriarch as “an epochal figure” with immeasurable…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel expresses deep sorrow after repose of Georgian Patriarch Ilia II

His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, issued a message of condolence on Tuesday evening following the passing of His Beatitude Ilia II, Patriarch of Georgia. The Primate of the Romanian Church refers to Patriarch Ilia II as “a venerable personality of contemporary Orthodoxy and a steadfast confessor of the faith, who shepherded…

Mar 17, 2026Ștefana Totorcea

1,000 Greek pupils chant hymns to Virgin Mary at Thessaloniki Cathedral service (video)

Around 1,000 pupils from 37 schools at all levels of education in Thessaloniki chanted hymns to the Virgin Mary at the city’s Hagia Sophia Church. The pupils, together with the choir of the Hellenic Army Officers’ School and the Eirmos Byzantine Children’s Choir of the Metropolis of Thessaloniki, provided the liturgical responses on Friday, 13…

Mar 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Church of Greece urges families to support priestly vocations

The Church of Greece has called on families—especially wives—to support with love and understanding those who feel called to serve as ministers of the Church. The appeal was made by the Permanent Holy Synod of the Church of Greece in a pastoral message issued ahead of the Week of Priestly Vocations. In the encyclical letter,…

Mar 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Relics of Saint Gregory Palamas carried in procession through the streets of Thessaloniki

The relics of Gregory Palamas were carried in procession through the streets of Thessaloniki on the second Sunday of Great Lent, which in the Orthodox Church is dedicated to the saint who defended hesychast spirituality. The religious procession took place on Sunday at the Metropolitan Cathedral in the historic Greek city, where the relics of…

Mar 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Orthodox bishops in Germany adopt new guidelines on handling abuse cases

Orthodox bishops in Germany have adopted new guidelines and procedural rules for handling cases of abuse and sexual harassment within the framework of the Conference of Orthodox Bishops in Germany (OBKD). According to a press release, the canonical Orthodox bishops in Germany held a working session on 7 March at the diocesan centre of the…

Mar 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian priest in Dubai urges calm as Middle East tensions raise concerns among diaspora

Father Alexandru Cristian Truşcan, parish priest of the Romanian community in Dubai, has issued a message of reassurance and caution amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, saying the community is closely monitoring developments. “We are following the evolution of the situation responsibly,” the priest told Basilica.ro. Amid recent geopolitical tensions in the region…

Mar 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian pilgrims evacuated from Israel with Church assistance amid security crisis

Romanian pilgrims in Israel have been assisted by the Representation of the Romanian Patriarchate to the Holy Places in leaving the conflict area safely. According to Archimandrite Ioan Meiu, the evacuation was carried out through the only currently safe route available — the border crossing into Egypt. “Romanian bus drivers and guides based in Israel…

Mar 4, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate representation assists pilgrims in Israel as airspace closes amid security tensions

The Romanian Patriarchate’s Representation to the Holy Places is providing assistance to Romanian pilgrims currently in Israel, amid heightened security tensions and the temporary closure of the country’s airspace. The situation deteriorated on Friday morning, when air raid sirens were activated and several rockets launched from Iran were intercepted by defense systems, according to Agerpres.…

Mar 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu