“Through his power and presence, Saint Demetrius the New has strengthened the history of the Church of this nation, its rulers, hierarchs, clergy, monastics and the multitude of faithful, who continually find comfort and help by praying before his holy relics,” Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia said on Sunday evening, July 12, at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
The hierarch celebrated the all-night vigil marking the beginning of the feast of the Translation of the Relics of St Demetrius the New to Bucharest.
“His prayer and intercession before the throne of the Most Holy Trinity have protected us from many dangers. St Demetrius the New, who has been celebrated without interruption for more than 250 years on the historic Metropolitan Hill in the capital, protects through his prayers the city of Bucharest, the entire country and its faithful people,” the Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop recalled.
“Who has not rejoiced in the help and consolation of St Demetrius the New? Who has not experienced the power of his prayers in times of trial and temptation? A great treasure was given to the Romanian people through his grace-bearing relics, which watch over the highest and most important hill of Romania’s capital.”
A spiritual pillar for the Church and the people
The bishop stressed that the presence of St Demetrius the New had strengthened the Romanian Orthodox Church throughout its history, including its rulers, hierarchs, clergy, monastics and faithful, who had continually found comfort and assistance by praying before his relics.
“His prayer and intercession before the throne of the Most Holy Trinity have protected us from many dangers,” Bishop Paisie said.
“He fed the people in times of famine, brought rain during drought, restored peace in times of war, healed the sick, delivered us during epidemics, and comforted, encouraged and strengthened in faith all those who approached his holy relics with faith and reverence.”
The all-night vigil at the Patriarchal Cathedral concluded with a procession carrying the saint’s relics around the holy place.
About St Demetrius the New
St Demetrius the New is known as the Protector of Bucharest. His relics were brought to the city in 1774, while the feast commemorating their arrival, celebrated on 13 July, was established in 2024 to mark the 250th anniversary of the historic event.
The saint’s other feast is his principal commemoration on 27 October.
This year’s celebrations continued at the Patriarchal Cathedral on Monday, 13 July 2026, with the Divine Liturgy and a memorial service for the founders, both celebrated by Bishop Paisie of Sinaia.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu
