Saint George the Pilgrim’s sainthood was locally proclaimed Friday, August 17, during a ceremony held at Văratec Monastery, where the Saint’s holy relics are enshrined.
The Lay-ascetic George Lazar ‘the Pilgrim’ (†1916) was glorified by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church during its working session on October 5, 2017.
An additional local proclamation of canonization took place Saturday, June 23, at Piatra Neamt, the city where the saint spent over 20 years.
The unceasing Prayer of Jesus was dwelling in his heart.
-Fr Dumitru Staniloae about St George the Pilgrim
The Divine Liturgy and the canonization ceremony celebrated on the Saint’s first feast day were headed by Metropolitan Teofan of Moldova and Bukovina.
Concelebrants included Archbishop Pimen of Suceava and Radauti, Archbishop Ioachim of Roman and Bacau, Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe, Assistant Bishop Calinic of Botosani, and Assistant Bishop Damaschin of Dorna.
The assistant bishop to the Suceava Archdiocese, His Grace Bishop Damaschin read out the synodal tomos on the canonization of Saint George the Pilgrim.
Saint George the Pilgrim
Saint George was born in 1864 in Susag, Alba County. After living 14 years in marriage, with the approval of his wife, he went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Places taking with him the Holy Gospel and the Psalter.
Suffering many temptations from demons, he decided to strengthen his patience and humility by walking barefoot and bareheaded for the rest of his life.
In 1895 he returned to Romania, settling in to a small chamber in the tower bell of St John Church in Piatra Neamt.
He slept only for three hours every night. During the day, he walked barefoot and bareheaded on the streets of the city, incessantly whispering psalms.
The Saint passed away to the Lord on the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos in 1916, when Romania was entering WWI.
Photos by Doxologia.ro
