Carrying on a centuries-old Orthodox tradition of religious processions in times of suffering and need, the relics of St. Filofteia of Argeş, known as the “Protectress of Romania,” were carried in procession throughout Argeş County on Wednesday, April 22, with prayers to end the coronavirus pandemic.
Her miraculous relics are treasured at the Archdiocesan Cathedral in Argeş in south-central Romania. They were last carried in procession during a drought in 1947, 73 years ago.
“The truck carrying the relics drove by the central churches and hospitals in the municipalities and cities to invoke the mediation of the Lord, that Argeş County and Romania would be saved from the coronavirus,” officials from the Archdiocese of Argeş said.
Before the procession began, His Eminence Archbishop Calinic of Argeş read a special prayer for the ending of the pandemic and a prayer to the holy Martyr Filofteia. The Archbishop especially pointed out that St. Filofteia always listens to the prayers of the faithful.
Diocesan archives show that the great saint’s relics have often been carried in procession throughout the county and southern Romania in times of drought, famine, and infectious diseases, reports the Archdiocese of Argeş.
The archives also record the thanks of many believers who received healing and relief from troubling circumstances.
The day before, a procession was held at Sihăstria Monastery with the holy habitation’s wonderworking icon of the Mother of God.
The wonderworking Madonna Dudu Icon of the Mother of God and the relics of St. Nephon of Constantinople were carried in procession through the streets of Craiova in southwestern Romania on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation.
Translated by Orthochristian
Photo courtesy of The Archdiocese of Argeş.
