Religion, conspiracy theories, and political activism blend in an online network built around Călin Georgescu, where hundreds of people are called to collective prayers, fasting, and mobilization for support rallies for the former presidential candidate.
These are groups organized on WhatsApp, Telegram, and other social platforms, where users are constantly mobilized to support Georgescu, including at the court hearings he has in the courts of Bucharest.
An investigation conducted by RISE Project shows how these online communities function as true "spiritual commands," where faith is transformed into a tool for political mobilization.
According to the investigation, one of the most active groups is called "CG Post and Prayer" and was created in June 2025. The group gathers several hundred people, both from Romania and the diaspora, and members are encouraged to fast, participate in collective prayer sessions, and attend protests in support of Georgescu.
Prayers for the "elected president"
RISE reporters gained access, with the help of insiders, to the messages distributed on these channels. The content combines religious themes, conspiracy messages, anti-Western and pro-Russian stances, as well as explicit calls for political support.
Group members are called to prayer daily at fixed times. One of the administrators constantly conveys the same message:
"Dear people with living souls and awakened consciences. It is time to unite in prayer. Lord help, receive, and bless our endeavor."
At certain times, priests join the group in audio and lead collective prayers dedicated to Georgescu. There are even special prayer texts for the former presidential candidate and his supporters.
One of the group's administrators, identified by RISE as Iulian Crăciun, a former employee of Giurgiu Penitentiary, describes the community as a "spiritual command" supporting Georgescu in the fight against "diabolical forces."
The same Crăciun frequently distributes radical messages against the "sect from Brussels," "Soros globalists," and the political class, which he calls "diabolical."
Administrators and connection with the Georgescu family
RISE claims that among the group administrators appears a user identified as "CG," associated with a phone number previously used by Călin Georgescu and later by his wife, Cristela Georgescu, and the companies controlled by her.
Another administrator is Alina Turturea, described as a former graphic and video materials manager in Georgescu's 2024 presidential campaign. She also manages several Telegram channels dedicated to the politician.
According to the investigation, Turturea is also involved in mobilizing people for "spontaneous" protests organized in front of the courts where Georgescu is being tried for Legionary propaganda and attempted coup.
RISE notes that access to some Telegram channels is granted only after verifications by administrators to detect individuals "from the system" who "wish harm to Mr. President."
Protests and religious rituals
The investigation starts from a protest by miners in Victory Square in March 2026, where several people close to Georgescu's group knelt and began shouting "There is a God!"
One of the participants, Attila Szocs, later appears in a "faith camp" organized at Caraiman Monastery, alongside Cezar Cătălin Avrămuță, known as "Stegarul Dac." The two urged people to fast and pray for the "elected president."
"I advise all of you to come as close to this country as possible, to come close to each other as Mr. President Călin Georgescu teaches us," says Szocs in a recording quoted by RISE.
Connection with Mount Athos and AUR
The investigation also follows the connections between these groups and a hermitage on Mount Athos - "The Entry of the Mother of God into the Church," led by monk Pimen Vlad. The website associated with the hermitage published several texts favorable to Georgescu during the electoral campaign and later to AUR leaders.
In those articles, Georgescu was portrayed as a "nation-loving" politician, and the annulment of elections was described as a "coup."
Moreover, RISE shows that AUR promoted in Parliament a legislative project whereby Schitul Lacul, part of this hermitage, would receive one million euros annually from the state budget.
The project passed the Senate and is now in the Chamber of Deputies, which is the decision-making body.
On the hermitage's YouTube channel, interviews with George Simion, Dan Dungaciu, Mihail Neamțu, Claudiu Târziu, and other AUR representatives were published, promoting themes such as opposition to "globalism," criticism of the European Union, and the idea that Romania is spiritually led by God.
"A divinely inspired leader"
RISE also spoke with Mark Juergensmeyer, emeritus professor at the University of California and specialist in religious radicalization. He says that the phenomenon observed in Romania is part of an international trend.
"All religions work the same way, in that they offer models for divine warfare and divinely inspired political leadership," the professor states.
He warns that such movements tend to retain a "hard core" of supporters even when political leaders lose their credibility. "A truly megalomaniac leader will go as far as his supporters allow him," Juergensmeyer further states.
Read the full article POLITICAL ALTAR: Who spreads prayers for Călin Georgescu on riseproject.ro