His Beatitude Archbishop George of New Justiniana and All Cyprus participated on Thursday in the ceremony welcoming the relics of Saint Lazarus at the Patriarchal Cathedral, alongside His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania.
“We have come to receive the blessing of the Romanian saints: Saint Andrew the First-Called Apostle, Saint Demetrius the New, the Protector of Bucharest, Saint Paraskeva, and Saint John Jacob the New Chozebite,” said Archbishop George.
“I have visited Romania before and was deeply impressed by the devotion of the Romanian people. Both myself and the accompanying delegation must say, such a devout religious procession we have never seen before,” His Beatitude added.
The Blessings of Cypriot Saints
“Coming from Cyprus, a land that has faced many challenges, with few believers but a rich history, we bring the blessings of our saints, the founders of our Church—Saints Barnabas, Paul, and Mark, as well as Saint Spyridon, Bishop of Trimythous, Saint Epiphanius, Saint John the Merciful, and many other saints,” stated the Archbishop of Cyprus.
In particular, Archbishop George highlighted, “We bring the blessings of Saint Lazarus, the righteous, raised from the dead on the fourth day by Christ, his dear friend, along with his holy relics, for the blessing and sanctification of the faithful Romanian people.”
Relics of Saint Lazarus, in Bucharest
His Beatitude also spoke about the long Christian history of Cyprus and the time Saint Lazarus, the friend of the Lord and the first Bishop of Kition (modern-day Larnaca), spent there.
“Those who have visited Cyprus have surely prayed at the Church of Saint Lazarus in Larnaca, where his second tomb lies, after the one in Bethany. You were likely not only impressed by the Byzantine architecture but also by the realization that the relics of the one for whom Christ wept are sanctifying that place,” he said.
“Your Beatitude, we again thank you for the joy you have given us by allowing us to be here in the wonderful country you shepherd. We look forward to the joy of concelebrating together, in different languages, but with one heart, to glorify the Holy Trinity,” concluded Archbishop George.
The Cypriot delegation, attending the feast of Saint Demetrius the New in Bucharest, also included Metropolitan Nektarios of Kition, Saint Lazarus’s current successor in the episcopal sea.
The pilgrimage dedicated to Saint Demetrius began on Sunday morning, already attracting thousands of faithful who have venerated his holy relics. The number of pilgrims is expected to increase significantly with the arrival of Saint Lazarus’ relics.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu
