The Synaxis of All Orthodox Saints of the Iberian Peninsula was celebrated for the first time on Sunday at the Dormition of the Theotokos Romanian Parish in Zaragoza, Spain.
The Divine Liturgy and the proclamation ceremony were led by His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe.
Concelebrants included Bishop Nestor of Korsun (Moscow Patriarchate), and Bishop Timotei of Spain and Portugal (Romanian Patriarchate).
The initiative to add such a feast was made by the Assembly of Orthodox Hierarchs of Spain and Portugal, which met in Madrid in April.
During the assembly’s session, the hierarchs approved of the menologion, or collection of saints’ lives, of the saints who shone forth in the Iberian Peninsula in the pre-schism West, compiled by Archpriest Andrei Kordochkin.
It was decided to celebrate the new feast on the Sunday before the National Day of Spain, which is celebrated annually on October 12.
The new Feast of All Saints Who Shone Forth in the Iberian Peninsula was celebrated for the first time this year on October 7 in Zaragoza.
The Iberian Peninsula is located in southwest Europe. It currently includes the states of Spain, Portugal, Andorra, part of France, and Gibraltar, a territory of Great Britain.
On Sunday, October 7, the Dormition of the Theotokos Romanian Orthodox Parish in Zaragoza celebrated their 15th anniversary.
For his constant efforts, the rector of the parish, Rev. Aurel Nae, was awarded the highest distinction of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Spain and Portugal.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the faithful all had the opportunity to venerate an icon and relics of St. Vincent of Spain, who was martyred in Zaragoza in the early 4th century during the persecutions of Diocletian.
Photos: Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Spain and Portugal
