BBC News
watch One-Minute World News
Languages
Last Updated: Tuesday, 31 July 2007, 12:47 GMT 13:47 UK
Romania mourns Church patriarch
Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Teoctist in 1999
The patriarch's communist-era stance was controversial
The late head of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Teoctist, will be buried on Friday, Church leaders say.

The patriarch died of a heart attack on Monday, aged 92. His death came just hours after a prostate operation.

He had been head of the Church since 1986. In 2000 he asked for forgiveness for concessions the Church had made during communist rule.

The leaders of other Orthodox churches are expected to join many mourners at the funeral.

Patriarch Teoctist was widely praised for hosting the late Pope John Paul II in Romania in 1999 - the pontiff's first visit to an Orthodox country in modern times.

About 87% of Romanians are Orthodox Christians, according to census figures.


SEE ALSO
Country profile: Romania
21 May 07 |  Country profiles

RELATED BBC LINKS

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS
Breakaway region's first poll since 'independence'
Photography from Bangladesh chosen by BBC Buzz
First pointers to the compromises that may be needed

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific