The Week in Pictures: May 18 – 24, 2026

An eventful week in the Orthodox world, marked by moments of faith and tradition: the patronal feast of the Patriarchal Cathedral, Heroes’ Day, the procession with the Honourable Belt of the Mother of God in Belgrade, and other religious events captured in our photo feature for the period May 18–24, 2026.

Archbishop Ioachim attended the anniversary of the “Vasile Alecsandri” University, marking 65 years of state higher education in Bacău, on May 21, 2026. Photo credit: Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău
Elder Ephraim of Vatopaidi leaving Mount Athos with the reliquary containing the Honourable Belt of the Mother of God on May 20, 2026. Photo credit: Orthodoxia News Agency
In Bacău, Romania, a march and memorial service for heroes took place on National Heroes’ Day, May 20, 2026. Photo credit: Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău
Deacons censing during the Vigil service for the Ascension of the Lord and Sts Constantine and Helen at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, Romania, on May 20, 2026. Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” – Proverbs 22:6. Photo credit: “Domnița Bălașa” Church of the Brâncoveanu Foundations
A child praying at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, Romania, on May 20, 2026. Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene
Bishop Samuel of Bistrița was welcomed by the faithful at the historic patronal feast of Dobric Monastery, Romania, on May 21, 2026. Photo credit: Facebook / Dobric Monastery
Young people in traditional attire at the historic patronal feast of Dobric Monastery, Romania, on May 21, 2026. Photo credit: Metropolis of Cluj / Darius Echim
Children under umbrellas at the historic patronal feast of the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, Romania, on May 21, 2026. Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene
Inauguration of a Queen Marie statue in Jucu, Romania. Photo credit: Metropolis of Cluj / Fr Marius Focșanu
Procession with the icon of St Nicholas at “St Elisabeth” Monastery in Minsk, Belarus, on May 22, 2026. Photo credit: Facebook / St Elisabeth Monastery in Minsk
The consecration of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopal Cathedral in Madrid, Spain, on May 23, 2026. Photo credit: Diocese of Spain and Portugal
Bucharest sky bathed in the warm light of sunset. Photo credit: Mother Veronica Prună
Young acolytes at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Tbilisi, Georgia. Photo credit: Facebook / Holy Trinity Cathedral
An epigonation embroidered with the representation of Romanian St Blandina of Iași at the local proclamation of her canonization. Photo credit: Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău
Worshippers of all ages honoured the Belt of the Mother of God at St Sava Cathedral in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 24, 2026. Photo credit: Instagram / hramsvetogsave
Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia holding the reliquary containing the Honourable Belt of the Mother of God. Photo credit: Instagram / Patriarch Porfirije
A ray of light falls upon a baptismal font. Photo credit: Oana Blaga
Service at a Military Church under the protection of St John the New of Suceava, Romania. Photo credit: Second Lieutenant Radu Gabriel
Caring for tomato crops at St Neagoe Basarab Skete in Vlădești, Romania. Photo credit: St Neagoe Basarab Skete
Thousands of faithful took part in the procession with the Honourable Belt of the Mother of God in Belgrade, Serbia. Photo credit: Instagram / Patriarch Porfirije
A semantron competition at Olari Church in Bucharest, Romania, on May 24, 2026. Photo credit: Artemie Ixari
Romania’s National Cathedral seen from Bucharest’s Carol Park. Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Archdeacon Nicolae Iftimiu
Deacon Aurel-Nicolae Nicula was ordained a priest for “St John the Baptist” – Dristor Parish in Bucharest, Romania, on May 24, 2026. Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene

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