Ecumenical Patriarch presides over Akathist Hymn at Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Akathist Hymn service at the Basilica of Our Lady of Loreto in Italy on Monday, October 26, 2026, during a visit highlighting the shared veneration of the Virgin Mary in the Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions.

The historic basilica houses sections of masonry traditionally believed to have originated from the Virgin Mary’s home in Nazareth, which have been preserved at the shrine since the 13th century.

The Ecumenical Patriarch visited Loreto at the invitation of Roman Catholic Archbishop Fabio Dal Cin, who oversees the Marian shrine.

During the Orthodox service, Patriarch Bartholomew blessed a reproduction of a Byzantine icon of the Theotokos, specially created to be permanently housed in the basilica, where an Orthodox Divine Liturgy is celebrated once a month.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Patriarch’s delegation, Bishops Athenagoras of Thermae and Dionysios of Kotyaion, auxiliary bishops of the Metropolitan of Italy, Roman Catholic bishops from neighboring dioceses, the Mayor of Loreto, local officials and numerous faithful.

Archbishop Fabio Dal Cin warmly welcomed the Ecumenical Patriarch, who…