Romanian faithful and hierarchs from the diaspora gathered on Saturday for the annual pilgrimage to the former Kufstein prison in Austria, where the Holy Transylvanian Martyrs — monk Bessarion Sarai, priests John of Galeș and Moses Măcinic of Sibiel, and layman Oprea Nicholas — were once imprisoned for their Orthodox faith.
The pilgrims included Romanian Orthodox communities from Austria and Germany, joined by Metropolitan Serafim of Germany, Central and Northern Europe, Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe, and Bishop Sofian of Brașov, assistant bishop to the Archdiocese of Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg.
The hierarchs celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the church near the former fortress prison, followed by a lecture from theologian and historian Mircea Gheorghe Abrudan, who spoke about the sacrifice and witness of the Transylvanian Martyrs.
Afterwards, the clergy conducted a memorial service within the walls of the former fortress, honouring the memory of those who suffered for their faith.
“May God, through the prayers of the Holy Transylvanian Martyrs, grant us also the wisdom and strength to be witnesses of His love and of the faith in the Resurrection through our entire life,”
said Assistant Bishop Sofian in a message shared on Facebook.
The pilgrimage gathered participants from Romanian parishes across Austria and southern Germany, continuing a tradition of remembrance and faith at one of the most symbolic sites of Orthodox martyrdom in Central Europe.
Photo: Facebook / Episcop Sofian Brașoveanul
