Archbishop Atanasie Enthroned as First Romanian Orthodox Bishop in the UK
In a historic ceremony marked by royal and patriarchal blessings, Archbishop Atanasie assumes leadership of over 1.4 million Romanian Orthodox faithful in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
London, UK—Archbishop Atanasie was enthroned on May 10, 2025, as the first Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The landmark event took place at the newly consecrated “Holy Great Martyr George” Cathedral in Enfield, established in a refurbished historic church.
The Divine Liturgy was followed by the formal enthronement ceremony. Bishop Siluan of Italy read the official Tome of Enthronement, after which Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe conferred the episcopal insignia and offered words of spiritual counsel and support.
Patriarch Daniel of Romania, through his official delegate Archbishop Nifon, offered warm congratulations, highlighting the weighty pastoral responsibility now entrusted to Archbishop Atanasie. Patriarch Daniel described the enthronement as the beginning of “a new stage in your service to the Church of Christ,” and pledged his prayers and support.
The ceremony drew international attention, with messages of goodwill from both church and state. His Majesty King Charles III, through the Lord Chamberlain, sent a personal message expressing his deep affection for the Romanian people and his regret for being unable to attend. The King noted the event as a milestone in UK–Romanian relations.
Romania’s Ambassador to the UK, Laura Popescu, expressed her confidence in Archbishop Atanasie’s ability to strengthen the Romanian community. State Secretary for Religious Affairs, Ciprian Olinici, emphasized the symbolic importance of this role in guiding the largest Romanian diaspora community—now numbering over 1.4 million.
In his remarks, Archbishop Atanasie spoke with humility and gratitude. “I feel overwhelmed by a deep sense of humility... The gift of this new ministry comes with great responsibility, yet it is accompanied by overwhelming grace,” he said. He emphasized his desire to serve the faithful—especially the youth, the elderly, and the lonely—with compassion and dedication.
The enthronement was attended by Orthodox hierarchs from multiple jurisdictions, Roman Catholic and Protestant representatives, British and Romanian officials, and numerous faithful. It marks a major milestone in the spiritual life of the Romanian diaspora in the United Kingdom.
