International

Greek community in Romania marks National Day with Te Deum service in Bucharest

The Greek community in Romania marked Greece’s National Day on Sunday with a Te Deum service officiated at the Chapel of the Annunciation in Bucharest. The commemorative events took place at the place of worship on the grounds of the Embassy of Greece in Romania. Attendees included Her Excellency Lili Evangelia Grammatika, Ambassador of the…

Mar 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Tens of thousands attend funeral of Georgian Patriarch Ilia II

The funeral of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia took place on Sunday at 12:30 local time, drawing tens of thousands of mourners. The burial service was officiated by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, concelebrating with Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku (Mujiri), Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne of the Georgian Orthodox Church, together…

Mar 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Thousands pay tribute to Patriarch Ilia II in Tbilisi Cathedral

Thousands of Georgians are paying their final respects to Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia at his coffin in the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) in Tbilisi. The transfer of the patriarch’s coffin from the Patriarchal Residence drew large crowds in a solemn procession through the streets of Tbilisi. According to Orthodoxia News Agency, senior state officials…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Georgian Church calls for faith, repentance and unity after Patriarch Ilia II’s passing

The Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church has called on the people of Georgia to embrace repentance, unity, and spiritual renewal following the passing of Patriarch Ilia II. “Today, our love for the Patriarch must be shown by following his long-standing exhortations; first of all, by confessing our sins before God and one another,…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Ilia II remembered for contributions to Georgian church music and culture

A lesser-known aspect of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia is his significant contribution to Georgian church hymnography, alongside his long tenure as a pastor and spiritual leader. The Patriarch of Georgia reposed on Tuesday evening at the age of 93, after dedicating more than half his life to patriarchal service. His legacy to the Georgian…

Mar 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Church representative says Israel situation stable despite attacks, urges caution over misinformation

Archimandrite Ioan Meiu, representative of the Romanian Patriarchate at the Holy Places, said the situation in Israel remains largely unchanged despite ongoing attacks and restrictions, warning that online reports often exaggerate the reality on the ground. “The situation in the Holy Land is almost the same as when the war began. Airspace is closed to…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Ambassador praises Patriarch Ilia II’s role in strengthening Orthodox ties

His Excellency Răzvan Rotundu, Romania’s ambassador to Georgia, has sent a message of condolence following the passing of Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia, highlighting his remarkable contribution to the life of the Orthodox Church and to inter-Orthodox relations. “May God rest the soul of His Beatitude Ilia, Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia, a distinguished spiritual leader…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

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