The joy of this year’s pilgrimage for the feast day of Saint Demetrius the New, Protector of Bucharest (October 27), organized by the Romanian Patriarchate and the Archdiocese of Bucharest, will be significantly enhanced by the arrival of the relics of Saint Lazarus from Cyprus. The pilgrimage will take place from October 20 to October 28, 2024, with the following schedule:
From October 20-23, 2024, believers will have the opportunity to venerate the holy relics of Saint Demetrius the New, Saint Demetrius the Myrrh-Gusher, Saints Constantine and Helen, and Saint Nectarios. On Sunday, October 20, at 7:00 a.m., these relics will be placed on the porch of the Patriarchal Cathedral.
On Thursday, October 24, 2024, at noon, the traditional The Way of the Saints procession will take place, with two columns departing:
– The first column will leave the Patriarchal Cathedral, carrying the relics of Saint Demetrius the New, Saint Demetrius the Myrrh-Gusher, and Saint Nectarios. The route will follow Patriarchate Street, Queen Marie Boulevard, and the base of Patriarchal Hill (Union Square).
– The second column will depart from the New “Saint Spyridon” Metropolitan Cathedral with the relics of Saints Constantine and Helen, following Bibescu Vodă Street to the base of Patriarchal Hill.
Both columns will meet at the base of Patriarchal Hill, where they will join the delegation from Cyprus carrying the relics of Saint Lazarus. Together, they will proceed in a solemn procession to the Patriarchal Cathedral.
At 12:45 p.m., His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, along with His Beatitude Archbishop George of Cyprus, will officially welcome the relics of Saint Lazarus at the outdoor altar.
At 1:15 p.m., the relics of Saint Lazarus will be placed in the canopy on Patriarchal Hill alongside the relics of Saint Demetrius the New, Saint Demetrius the Myrrh-Gusher, Saints Constantine and Helen, and Saint Nectarios for veneration.
The liturgical program for the pilgrimage period, October 20-28, 2024, is as follows:
Sunday, October 20, 2024
– 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
– 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Vespers with Artoklasia and the Paraklesis of the Theotokos at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Monday, October 21, 2024
– 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
– 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Vespers and the Paraklesis of Saint Demetrius the New at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
– 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
– 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Vigil in honour of Saint Nectarios at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
– 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
– 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Vigil in honour of Saints Constantine and Helen at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Thursday, October 24, 2024
– 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
– 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. – The Way of the Saints procession.
– 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – Vigil in honour of Saint Lazarus at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Friday, October 25, 2024
– 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
– 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – The Sacrament of the Holy Unction.
– 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – Vigil in honour of Saint Demetrius the Myrrh-Gusher at the outdoor altar.
Saturday, October 26, 2024
– 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Divine Liturgy at the outdoor altar.
– 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Distribution of antidoron near the outdoor altar.
– 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Vigil in honour of Saint Demetrius the New at the outdoor altar.
Sunday, October 27, 2024
– 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Hierarchal Divine Liturgy celebrated at the outdoor altar by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel and His Beatitude Archbishop George, alongside Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veria, Naoussa and Kampania, the members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, priests and deacons.
– 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Distribution of antidoron near the outdoor altar.
– 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – Vigil in honour of Saint Hyacinth, Metropolitan of Wallachia, and Saint Theophano Basarab at the outdoor altar.
Monday, October 28, 2024
– 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
– 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Vespers and Paraklesis of Saint Demetrius the New at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
After the last pilgrim will have venerated the relics, they will be returned to the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate
Photo: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu
