His Beatitude Archbishop George of New Justiniana and All Cyprus led the liturgy for the feast of St. Demetrius the Great Martyr at the Patriarchal Cathedral’s outdoor altar in Bucharest. During his sermon, Archbishop George reflected on St. Demetrius’s sacrifice, drawing a parallel to the ongoing hardships of the Cypriot Orthodox people.
“The Romanian people live in a free country, and thankfully, moments where you are called to risk your life are rare or nonexistent,” he began. “Regrettably, this is not the case for my country, Cyprus, or my compatriots.”
“Over 50 years ago, a neighbouring nation of a different religion—Turkey—attacked us, occupying 37% of our land. Six thousand people lost their lives, 2,000 remain missing, and 520 churches have been converted into mosques, warehouses, barns, or simply left to ruin,” the Archbishop continued.
“We Must Follow the Example of St. Demetrius
Archbishop George spoke of how Christians in the occupied territories were forcibly driven from their homes and forbidden to return.
“Our only ‘crime’ is our geographical location. Cyprus sits at the crossroads of three great continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa, a region prized for trade routes and military bases to control the area. Although we live in the 21st century, and the world emphasizes human rights, securing our freedom still demands sacrifices, even at the cost of our lives. This is why we must look to St. Demetrius, who defended his city’s freedom. We must be ready to lay down our lives if necessary, for it is an act of respect toward God, who created us in His image and likeness. Knowing God is also knowing freedom.”
“I urge you all to pray fervently to the Good Lord to strengthen us in this trial. May St. Demetrius, who protected his city, do the same for us,” concluded His Beatitude.
Archbishop George visited Bucharest for celebrations dedicated to St. Demetrius the New, bringing with him the revered relic of St. Lazarus. Thousands of faithful participated in the pilgrimage in the capital city of Romania.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene
