The Week in Pictures: March 16 – 22, 2026

Please see below our selection of photographs taken between March 16 and 22, 2026, a period marked by the repose of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia.

Fresco of Christ Pantocrator at the chapel of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, on March 18, 2026. Photo credit: Metropolis of Cluj / Darius Echim
Auxiliary Bishop Teofil of Trotuș anoints the faithful at “Saint John Jacob of Khozeva” Skete in Comănești, Romania, on March 20, 2026. Photo credit: Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău
Funeral procession with the body of Patriarch Ilia II in the courtyard of the “Holy Trinity” Cathedral in Tbilisi, Georgia, on March 18, 2026. Photo credit: Civil.ge / Nini Gabritchidze
His Eminence Calinic, Archbishop of Argeș and Muscel, offered an icon to the police commander in Pitești, Romania, during the inauguration of the new law enforcement headquarters on March 20, 2026. Photo credit: Archdiocese of Argeș and Muscel
The delegation of the Romanian Patriarchate, led by Metropolitan Ioan of Banat, at the funeral of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia, on March 21, 2026. Photo credit: Basilica.ro
Romanian Orthodox Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe baptised a native young man in Greenland, who received the name of St. Cleopa of Sihăstria, on March 19, 2026. Photo credit: Diocese of Northern Europe
Thousands of Georgians paid their last respects to Patriarch Ilia II. Photo credit: Civil.ge / Nini Gabritchidze
The Youth Walking Pilgrimage from Iclod to Nicula Monastery, Romania, on March 21, 2026. Photo credit: Metropolis of Cluj
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I paid his last respects to Patriarch Ilia II. Photo credit: Ecumenical Patriarchate / Nikos Papachristou
Grieving Georgians welcomed, flowers in hand, the procession carrying the body of the reposed Georgian Patriarch on March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Patriarchate of Georgia
Bârsana Monastery in Maramureș, Romania, on the fourth Sunday of Great Lent, March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Diocese of Maramureș and Sătmar
The funeral of Patriarch Ilia II was held on March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Georgian Patriarchate
Blessing of the faithful at the Archiepiscopal Cathedral in Suceava, Romania, on March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Sabin Simota
Heralds of spring at Putna Monastery, Romania. Photo credit: Sabin Simota
A monastic tonsure service at Diaconești Monastery, Romania, on March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău
The Patriarch of Serbia blessed an infant at the Church of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius in Belgrade, Serbia, on March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Serbian Patriarchate
The Patriarch of Bulgaria visited the “Saint Gabriel Urgebadze” Monastery in Georgia on March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Bulgarian Patriarchate
Acolyte lighting the vigil lamp before the icon of the Mother of God at the “Holy Trinity” Cathedral in Tbilisi, Georgia, on March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Archdeacon Nicolae Iftimiu
The Archdiocesan Cathedral in Roman, Romania, at the beginning of spring, on March 22, 2026. Photo credit: Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău

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