Covering both Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches worldwide
Week of 26 April – 2 May 2026
1. Top Stories of the Week
Georgian Orthodox Church Selects Triprosopon for Patriarchal Election
On 28 April, the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church convened in a crucial session and selected the triprosopon — the three candidates — for the vacant Patriarchal Throne. In a secret ballot, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, the Locum Tenens, received a commanding 20 votes, while Metropolitan Job (Akiashvili) of Ruisi and Urbnisi and Metropolitan Gregory (Berbichashvili) of Poti and Khobi each received 7 votes. The three candidates will now proceed to the expanded Church Assembly (comprising all bishops, clergy delegates, and laity), where the new Patriarch-Catholicos will be elected by an absolute majority. This assembly is expected to convene by 17 May. Metropolitan Shio is the clear front-runner based on his overwhelming support in the preliminary synodal ballot.
The election has become intensely politicised. On 29 April, Georgian opposition leader and former mayor of Tbilisi Gigi Ugulava publicly referred to Shio as an “exarch,” implying external (Russian) management of the Church. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze responded harshly, accusing the opposition of attacking Georgia’s national identity and claiming that “foreign clients” are behind the opposition’s negative attitude toward the Georgian Orthodox Church. The Speaker of Parliament echoed these sentiments. Metropolitan Antonios of Vani and Baghdati sought to calm tensions in a social media post, stating: “What external force, and in what way, could influence such a procedure? It is absolutely impossible.” He dismissed fears of external interference, emphasising the transparency of the voting process. (Orthodox Times, Pravda Georgia, Jam News)
Ukrainian Appeals Court Overturns Expert Assessment Against the UOC
In a significant legal development on 30 April, the Kyiv Court of Appeal declared illegal and annulled the expert assessment by the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (SSUESS) that had concluded the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) maintained an institutional connection with the Russian Orthodox Church posing a national security threat. The court found procedural violations — specifically, that the UOC’s application to exclude certain members of the expert group was not duly considered. As the appeals court ruling takes immediate effect, the liquidation process against the UOC has effectively stalled. The UOC side cautioned that the ruling was “not a reason for joy,” noting that further legal manoeuvres by the state remain possible. The ruling represents a reversal in what had appeared to be an inexorable legal process toward the church’s dissolution, though the broader 2024 law banning religious organisations managed from an aggressor country remains in force. (Pravda Greece, Pravda Italy)
Patriarch John X of Antioch Visits Ecumenical Patriarchate
Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East paid a fraternal visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate on 28–30 April, personally conveying his Paschal greetings to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. John X had been in southeastern Turkey as part of his pastoral visit to the newly established Diocese of Tarsus, Adana, and Alexandretta, and extended his journey to Constantinople at the Ecumenical Patriarch’s earlier invitation. On 28 April (Tuesday), Bartholomew received John X at the Phanar with warmth and brotherly love; an official meeting followed at the Patriarchal Residence, concluded by a dinner. On 29 April (Wednesday), the two Primates visited the Holy Monastery of the Life-Giving Spring at Balıklı, where John X served a Trisagion at the tomb of the late Patriarch Demetrios I. The Antiochian delegation also visited Chalcedon, venerating at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and being received by the local clergy and faithful. John X departed Constantinople on 30 April. (Orthodox Times, SyriacPress, Basilica.ro)
Today, Orthodox.News published an analysis providing background information on the evolution of relations between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Patriarchate of Antioch since the beginning of the 21st century: https://orthodox.news/analysis/2026-05-02-relations-between-the-ecumenical-patriarchate-and-the-patriarchate-of-antioch/
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Condemns Caucasus Muslim Board’s Justification of Church Demolitions
Following the earlier confirmation that two Armenian churches in Stepanakert (the Holy Mother of God Cathedral and St. Hakob Church) were destroyed, the Caucasus Muslim Board issued a statement on 28 April characterising these churches as “illegal buildings” erected during the “occupation period” and claiming that Azerbaijani citizens themselves had demanded their demolition. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin responded on 30 April–1 May with a strongly worded condemnation, calling the labelling of churches as “illegal constructions” unacceptable and their destruction “a blatant violation of international principles for the protection of religious and cultural heritage” amounting to cultural genocide. The statement called on international religious and human rights organisations to take effective steps to halt Azerbaijan’s deliberate policy of destroying Armenian Christian heritage. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government stated it was gathering information but stopped short of making the issue “a subject of international discussions at the state level” — a stance criticised by diaspora organisations and church authorities. (Eurasia Review, PanARMENIAN.Net, EADaily)
ROCOR Council of Bishops Opens in Germany
The Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) — its supreme governing authority — opened on 29 April at the Convent of the Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth in Buchendorf (near Munich), Germany. Sessions are scheduled through 5 May. After the opening liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas delivered opening remarks, and Metropolitan Mark was elected co-chairman. Bishop Theodosius of Manhattan and Bishop Job of Stuttgart were elected Secretaries, assisted by Archpriest Serafim Gan. Bishop Michael of Boston and Bishop Peter of Seattle became members of the Counting Commission. Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada, Bishop Theodosius, and Bishop Spyridon of Toronto were tasked with drafting the Council’s epistle. The Council coincides with the centennial of the German Diocese of ROCOR, and an international academic conference, “Legacy and Calling,” devoted to the history of ROCOR in Germany, will follow on 6–8 May in Munich. (Pokrov Truth, ROCOR Studies)
2. Eastern Orthodox News
Ecumenical Patriarchate
Patriarch Bartholomew to Address Greek Parliament on 5 May. The Conference of Parliamentary Committee Chairs unanimously approved an official invitation for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to address the Plenary Session of the Hellenic Parliament on Monday, 5 May 2026. Parliament President Nikitas Kaklamanis extended the invitation, which Bartholomew accepted. This marks the second time the Ecumenical Patriarch addresses the Greek Parliament — 27 years after his first address on 24 May 1999 under the presidency of Apostolos Kaklamanis. The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, was also invited to address the Parliament during the same period. (Orthodox Times, Athens Times)
Bartholomew to Visit Arsakeion Schools for 190th Anniversary. On 8 May, the Ecumenical Patriarch will visit the Arsakeia High Schools complex in Psychiko, Athens, to honour the 190th anniversary of the founding of the Society for the Promotion of Education and Learning, coinciding with the completion of 35 years of his Patriarchal ministry. (Orthodox Times)
Hellenic Red Cross to Honour Bartholomew. The Hellenic Red Cross will bestow its Highest Honorary Distinction — the Golden Cross with golden laurel branch — on the Ecumenical Patriarch on Friday, 8 May at 19:00, at the Amphitheater of the Ionian Center in Nea Ionia, in recognition of his philanthropic, social, and humanitarian contributions. (Orthodox Times)
Reception of Patriarch John X of Antioch. See Top Stories above for full details of the 28–30 April visit.
Patriarchate of Alexandria
Ecumenical Patriarchate Delegation Visits Romania. On 30 April, Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, accompanied by Archimandrite Aetios Nikiforos (Grand Ecclesiarch and Director of the Patriarchal Office), visited Patriarch Daniel of Romania at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest. The two hierarchs discussed matters of common interest and referred to several anniversary events scheduled for 2026 within the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Patriarch Daniel highlighted the longstanding relations of friendship between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. (Orthodox Times, Basilica.ro)
Patriarch Theodore II’s Upcoming Zambia Visit. The Patriarch of Alexandria will visit Zambia from 21 to 26 May as part of his pastoral tours across the African dioceses. The programme includes an official meeting with the President of Zambia and the celebration of the Opening of the Doors of a new church at the newly established Missionary Center in Chirundu, in the Zambezi River region. (Orthodox Times)
Patriarchate of Antioch
Visit to Ecumenical Patriarchate. See Top Stories above.
Following his earlier pastoral visit to southeastern Turkey (21–24 April), during which the new Diocese of Tarsus, Adana, and Alexandretta was formally announced, Patriarch John X continued northward to Constantinople. The visit to the Phanar on 28–30 April strengthened the already warm bilateral relations between the two ancient patriarchates.
Patriarchate of Moscow
Analysis: Moscow Patriarchate “Acts As If the USSR Still Existed.” An opinion piece published on 29 April by Eurasia Review analysed significant personnel challenges within the Department for External Church Relations (DECR) of the Moscow Patriarchate — the church’s foreign policy arm. The article argued that the DECR has failed to adapt to the post-Soviet reality, maintaining a mindset that “we must live as if the collapse of the USSR never occurred.” The piece noted that the department “in its current form faces either abolition or comprehensive reform” because “its diplomatic apparatus proved professionally incapable of navigating the post-Soviet era effectively.” The article also reported that the Higher School of Economics has created a new master’s programme, “Religious Diplomacy in the Modern World,” with its first students to be admitted in 2026 — potentially signalling a recognition that the church’s external relations apparatus requires new blood and new approaches. Patriarch Kirill was described as weakened by “failures in Ukraine and elsewhere” and potentially unable to resist restructuring pressures. (Eurasia Review)
Church of Georgia
Triprosopon Selected; Election Expected by 17 May. See Top Stories above for full details. The political atmosphere surrounding the election remains charged, with the ruling Georgian Dream party and opposition forces offering competing narratives about external influence over the process.
Serbian Orthodox Church
Exhibition on Saint Sava Theological School Opens in Belgrade. From 29 April to 10 May, the crypt of the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade hosts the exhibition “The Saint Sava Theological School: From Foundation to Renewal,” curated by Deacon Budimir Kokotović. The exhibition traces the history of Serbia’s most important theological educational institution from its founding to its contemporary renewal. (Orthodox Times)
Romanian Orthodox Church
Ecumenical Patriarchate Delegation Received. On 30 April, Patriarch Daniel of Romania received Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and Archimandrite Aetios Nikiforos at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest. The visit focused on bilateral relations and upcoming anniversary events within the Ecumenical Patriarchate. (Basilica.ro)
Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada Marks 10th Anniversary. The diocese will celebrate the tenth anniversary of its establishment with a series of liturgical and cultural events from 8–10 May at the Cathedral of Saint George the Great Martyr and Saints Epictetus and Astion in Saint-Hubert, Québec. The programme includes vespers (8 May), a Divine Liturgy and Te Deum followed by a symposium on “Holiness in Contemporary Life: The Asceticism of Holiness — Cross and Resurrection in Family and Monastic Life” (9 May), and a festive liturgy with anniversary agape (10 May). The diocese was officially founded following the Archdiocesan Congress in Hamilton, Ontario, on 1–3 July 2016. (Basilica.ro)
Bulgarian Orthodox Church
Patriarch Daniel Attends Opening of 52nd National Assembly. On 30 April, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria attended the inaugural session of the newly elected 52nd National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, accompanied by Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod. Their presence underscored the close institutional relationship between the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the state during major national events. The new parliament opened amid significant power shifts, with six parliamentary groups forming a new political landscape. (Orthodox Times, BTA)
Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU)
No major new developments this week beyond the court ruling affecting the UOC (see Top Stories). The broader legal framework — the 2024 law banning religious organisations managed from an aggressor country — remains in force, but the invalidation of the SSUESS expert assessment has thrown the practical implementation process into uncertainty.
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR)
Council of Bishops Opens in Munich. See Top Stories above for full details. The Council will continue through 5 May, followed by the “Legacy and Calling” academic conference (6–8 May) marking the German Diocese’s centennial.
3. Oriental Orthodox News
Coptic Orthodox Church
Pope Tawadros II Continues International Tour. Following the historic visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople (25–27 April, covered in last week’s edition), Pope Tawadros II continued his multi-country pastoral tour. After visiting St. Mark and St. Paul Coptic churches in Istanbul and the Egyptian Consulate (26 April), the papal delegation departed Turkey for Austria, continuing a tour that also includes Italy and Croatia. On the pastoral level, Pope Tawadros participates in the Conference of Bishops of the Diaspora Dioceses and holds meetings with youth from several European dioceses. Accompanying His Holiness are Metropolitan Daniel of Maadi, Metropolitan Thomas of Qusiyyah and Mir, Bishop Angaelos of London, Monk Fr. Emmanuel El-Muharraqy (Director of the Papal Office), and Fr. Mark Assad. The overall tour lasts more than two weeks. (Coptic Orthodox Church, SyriacPress, MECC)
Armenian Apostolic Church
Mother See Condemns Caucasus Muslim Board Statement. See Top Stories above. The statement of 30 April–1 May represents the most formal institutional response to Azerbaijan’s justification for church demolitions.
Church–State Crisis Deepens; Lazarev Club Meeting. On 28 April, the Seventh meeting of the International Russian-Armenian Lazarev Club was held in Moscow. Archbishop Ezras, head of the Russian and Novo-Nakhichevan Diocese, blessed the participants. Russian and Armenian participants unanimously condemned the “unprecedented persecution” of the Armenian Apostolic Church by the Armenian authorities. The ongoing dispute centres on the termination of the church’s pastoral access to prisons (in apparent violation of Armenian law, specifically Articles 10 and 17 of the laws governing church–state relations) and the broader targeting of church property and influence. The Armenian government’s refusal to strongly condemn the destruction of churches in Karabakh has further inflamed the church–state rift. (Pravda Armenia, Pravda Armenia)
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Monk Returns from Breakaway Group. Aba Newaye Selassie Aklilu, one of the monks who had been ordained by what the church calls the “law breaker group” (the breakaway synod that has challenged the legitimate Holy Synod), returned to the Mother Church after hearing the call of repentance by the Holy Synod. He presented all clerical vestments he had received from the breakaway group. The World Council of Churches has continued to express solidarity with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in its efforts to maintain unity and has called upon Ethiopian political leaders to support the church’s internal reconciliation processes. (Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Patriarchate)
Syriac Orthodox Church
No significant new developments were reported during the week under review. Patriarch Aphrem II’s earlier visit to Catholicos Karekin II at Etchmiadzin (20 April) remains the most recent high-profile event.
4. Orthodox Churches in the Diaspora & Mission Fields
Great Britain: Over 250 Baptised Through “Discover Orthodoxy” Programme
In a continuation of the conversion wave sweeping through Western Orthodox communities, the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain reported that approximately 250 individuals were received into the Orthodox Church through its Archdiocesan “Discover Orthodoxy” programme during the Paschal season. The key service took place on Saturday of Lazarus (4 April), led by Archbishop Nikitas. In Hertfordshire alone, 75 newly illumined faithful were received; similar services took place in Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cambridge, and London. Participants came from an extremely diverse range of backgrounds — the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Africa, Latin America, Asia, and across the Commonwealth and Europe. The catechetical course had been meeting weekly on Zoom since September 2025, and a new programme for the newly illumined is set to begin in May 2026. Over 600 had registered for the most recent “Discover Orthodoxy” course. (Orthodox Times, Christian Today, Premier Christian News)
United States: Ongoing Conversion Surge and Ideological Concerns
The ongoing surge of converts — particularly young conservative men — into American Orthodox parishes continues to generate both celebration and concern. Metropolitan Saba (Antiochian Archdiocese) stressed the need for converts’ ongoing guidance and “long-term rootedness in Orthodoxy,” particularly given that many converts are “psychologically, emotionally, or socially wounded.” The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops’ Vice Chairman presented a detailed report “On Converts to Orthodoxy” addressing the phenomenon. Clergy and scholars have warned that some converts hold views “adjacent to fascism” and that the “Orthodoxy as masculinity” narrative is “blatantly misaligned with the Church’s theology and history.” The Assembly has tasked its Theological Education Committee with creating “common and agreed content for catechesis” to address these challenges. (Orthodox Observer, Assembly of Bishops)
Africa: Patriarch Theodore II’s Upcoming Zambia Visit
The Patriarch of Alexandria’s planned visit to Zambia (21–26 May) will include the consecration of a new church at the Chirundu Missionary Center and an audience with the Zambian President. See Patriarchate of Alexandria section above.
5. Ecumenical and Inter-Orthodox Relations
Patriarch John X at the Phanar: Antioch–Constantinople Relations Strengthened
The fraternal visit of Patriarch John X to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (28–30 April) carried significant ecumenical weight. The visit — described in warm terms by both sides — reflects the continued healing of the rift that had existed between the two patriarchates over jurisdictional issues in Qatar. The two Primates prayed together at the Balıklı Monastery and at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Chalcedon, demonstrating visible unity. See Top Stories for full details and our analysis for background information on the evolution of relations.
Ecumenical Patriarchate Delegation to Romania
Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon’s visit to Patriarch Daniel of Romania on 30 April focused on inter-Orthodox cooperation and upcoming Ecumenical Patriarchate anniversaries. The visit signals continued diplomatic engagement by the Phanar with autocephalous churches.
Pope Tawadros II’s Ecumenical Tour
Pope Tawadros II’s ongoing pastoral and ecumenical tour through Turkey, Austria, Italy, and Croatia represents one of the most ambitious international journeys by a Coptic Pope in recent years. Following the historic joint presence with Bartholomew at the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy on 26 April (the first such visit), the continuation to Austria and other European countries underscores the Coptic Church’s commitment to inter-church relations at the highest level. The Conference of Bishops of the Diaspora Dioceses, in which Tawadros participates during the tour, also has an ecumenical dimension.
Catholic–Orthodox Relations Under Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV continues to prioritise relations with both Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches. Following the landmark joint visit with Patriarch Bartholomew to Nicaea in November 2025 (marking the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council), the two leaders affirmed their commitment to “persevere in the effort to reestablish full visible communion.” They also expressed a “shared desire to continue exploring a possible solution for celebrating together the Feast of Feasts every year.” These ongoing developments form the backdrop for Orthodox–Catholic relations in 2026. (GOARCH, Catholic Herald)
6. Trends, Emergent Issues & Debates
The Conversion Wave: Growth, Diversity, and Danger
The week’s news underscores the continuing global Orthodox conversion trend. In Great Britain alone, over 250 were received in the Paschal season through a single programme; in the United States, parishes continue to report doubled or tripled catechumenate numbers; in Finland, over 200 were baptised; mass baptisms have also been reported in Korea (13 in a single service on Lazarus Saturday). However, alongside celebration comes institutional anxiety. The debate over ideological infiltration — particularly far-right and nationalist ideologies being cloaked in Orthodox aesthetics — is now being addressed at the highest levels, with the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops mandating standardised catechetical content. The challenge lies in maintaining both openness to genuine seekers and vigilance against those who would instrumentalise the faith.
Georgian Patriarchal Election: Church Governance Meets Geopolitics
The selection of the triprosopon on 28 April has moved the Georgian Church’s succession process to its final phase, but it has also brought the election squarely into the political arena. Three distinct forces are at play: the ruling Georgian Dream party (which has backed Shio’s candidacy and accused the opposition of “attacking national identity”); the opposition (which frames Shio as a Russian proxy); and the Russian intelligence apparatus (which, according to earlier SVR accusations, has sought to influence the outcome). The Georgian Church’s internal dynamics are further complicated by the fact that Shio, as Locum Tenens, has effectively been exercising patriarchal authority since Ilia II’s passing. The outcome will shape Georgian church–state relations for decades.
Ukrainian UOC: Legal Reprieve or Temporary Delay?
The Kyiv Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn the expert assessment that underpinned the UOC’s pending liquidation represents the first significant legal setback for the Ukrainian government’s campaign against the Moscow-linked church since the 2024 ban law was enacted. The ruling’s practical implications are uncertain: the state can commission a new expert assessment or challenge the court’s decision, and the broader legal framework remains intact. The UOC itself cautioned against premature celebration. The situation illustrates the tension between Ukraine’s security imperatives and its rule-of-law commitments — a tension that international observers, including the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, have flagged.
Armenia: The Church Under Siege from Multiple Directions
The Armenian Apostolic Church finds itself under pressure from an extraordinary number of directions simultaneously: the Armenian government’s termination of prison pastoral access (violating its own laws), the destruction of churches in Karabakh by Azerbaijan (now justified through a “legal” discourse by the Caucasus Muslim Board), the fifth consecutive year of the Istanbul ban on Genocide commemorations, the targeting of diaspora church assets through foreign courts, and the weakened international advocacy due to Pashinyan’s refusal to escalate diplomatically. The Lazarev Club meeting in Moscow (28 April) — where Russian and Armenian participants jointly condemned the persecution — adds a geopolitical dimension, with Moscow positioning itself as a defender of the Armenian Church against its own government.
Moscow Patriarchate’s Institutional Crisis
The Eurasia Review analysis of 29 April paints a picture of an institution in structural crisis. The DECR — once the Moscow Patriarchate’s most prestigious department — is described as professionally incapable of navigating the post-Soviet era. The creation of a “Religious Diplomacy” programme at the Higher School of Economics suggests that even state-adjacent institutions recognise the need for reform. Patriarch Kirill’s personal authority has been eroded by the failures of his aggressive ecclesiastical foreign policy (the African Exarchate’s limited traction, the loss of Ukraine, the diplomatic isolation). Whether the Council of Bishops in Munich — theoretically under Moscow’s authority —will address these tensions remains to be seen.
7. New Academic Literature
Fr. Joshua Genig, Fr. Lucas Christensen, and Fr. Patrick O’Grady, The Divine Services of the Orthodox Church: With Commentary (St. Symeon of Thessalonica Press, 2025/2026), 452 pp. — A comprehensive catechetical and liturgical resource combining original translations of liturgical texts with theological explanations, patristic insights, and practical pastoral applications. Covers Vespers, Matins, the Divine Liturgy, the Holy Sacraments, and festal observances. Reviewed in New Liturgical Movement (February 2026) and Orthodox Arts Journal.
Herder Korrespondenz Spezial: “Orthodox — Wohin die Kirchen des Ostens steuern” (Herder Verlag, 2024/2026 edition). — A thematic special issue of the German Catholic journal examining the contemporary significance of the Orthodox churches: their roles in national conflicts, their positioning in ecumenical dialogues, and what Western theology can learn from them. Features icons painted on ammunition boxes, reflecting the tension between military conflict and Orthodox spiritual tradition. Available via NÖK.
Ortodoksia: Special Issue — New Approaches to Liturgy and Patristics (journal.fi/ortodoksia, 2026). — A special issue of the Finnish peer-reviewed journal Ortodoksia, containing both peer-reviewed research articles and conference papers organised around two central areas: liturgy and patristics. Includes articles by Bishop Damaskinos (Olkinuora) of Haapsalu on liturgical archaeologism and by Predrag Dragutinović on Orthodox exegesis. Published in English and Finnish.
This review covers developments from 26 April to 2 May 2026.
This text was generated by Claude (Anthropic), Claude Opus 4.6, on 2 May 2026. It has been edited by Orthodox.News. https://claude.ai