Abbot Prodromos of Great Lavra Monastery of Mount Athos, and Hegumen Athanasios of the Romanian Prodromos Skete, will attend the patronal feast of the National Cathedral’s Chapel that will take place next week, on the feast of the Prodromitissa (Forerunneress) Icon of the Mother of God.
A replica of the Wonderworking Prodromitissa Icon of the Mother of God from Mount Athos is enshrined in the Chapel of the Romanian People’s Salvation Cathedral.
The icon was miraculously painted in Iasi in 1863 and then brought to the Holy Mount Athos, being enshrined in the Romanian Skete dedicated to St John the Forerunner.
This year’s celebrations will begin Wednesday, July 11, at 17.00 p.m. with a Byzantine music concert held by the Tronos Byzantine Choir of the Patriarchal Cathedral, directed by Archdeacon Mihail Buca.
At 18.15 the Akathist Hymn to the Prodromitissa Mother of God will be read, following which the holy icon of the Theotokos will be carried in procession.
The all-night vigil will start at 19.00.
Thursday morning the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by His Grace Bishop Varlaam of Ploiesti, the Romanian Patriarch’s assistant bishop and the secretary of the Holy Synod.
The celebrations will conclude with the service of the supplicatory canon (paraklesis) to the Prodromitissa Icon of the Mother of God that will be officiated Thursday evening at 19.00 p.m.
A delegation of the Romanian Patriarchate attended last year’s celebrations in honour of the Prodromitissa Mother of God held at the Athonite Prodromos Skete.
On that occasion, the abbot of the Great Lavra, Elder Prodromos Lavriotes, was awarded the St John Chrysostom Order of the Romanian Patriarchate.
Photo courtesy of the Basilica.ro Archive
