His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church Monday presided over the Divine Liturgy at the outdoor altar of the Patriarchal Cathedral on the feast of the Holy Emperors Constantine and Helen, the Cathedrals’ patron saints.
Many believers attended the service on the Patriarchate’s Hill, having the opportunity to venerate the relics of Sts Constantine and Helen.
Concelebrants for the Divine Liturgy included His Eminence Archbishop Calinic of Arges and Muscel, the patriarchal auxiliary bishops Varlaam of Ploiesti and Ieronim of Sinaia, as well ans His Grace Timotei of Prahova, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest.
In his homily, the Romanian Patriarch recalled the profitable activity of the Holy Emperors for Christ’s Church.
His Beatitude offered St Helen as ‘an example of instructing mother’.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the patriarch awarded the winners of the ‘Union: Freedom and Unity’ Competition organized by the Romanian Patriarchate.
Founded in the 17th century by the Wallachian Ruler Prince Serban Cantacuzino, the Patriarchal Cathedral received in 2002 particles of the holy relics of Sts Constantine and Helen from the Kykkos Monastery in Cyprus, which are now placed for veneration inside the church.
Photography courtesy of Mihnea Păduraru, Mircea Popa / ZL
