The Very Rev. Archimandrite Serafim Baciu, administrative vicar of the Diocese of Alexandria and Teleorman, on Monday called on believers to prepare spiritually for the arrival of the relics of Saint George, describing the martyr as “a model of faith and witness for young people.”
The honourable skull of Saint George the Trophy-Bearer will be brought to Romania for the first time and displayed at Pantocrator Monastery in Teleorman County, southern Romania, from April 22 to April 28.
Speaking to Basilica.ro, the archimandrite urged pilgrims to approach the event with prayer and reverence.
“We encourage all pilgrims and lovers of the saints to come during these days and offer humble prayers before the reliquary containing the honourable skull of Saint George, who is a swift helper and healer.”
“We also ask all those who venerate the relics to show patience, decency and respect, so that the entire pilgrimage may be marked besides all by humble prayer,” he added.
A growing pilgrimage tradition
The cleric noted that the pilgrimage held on the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women at Pantocrator Monastery has become an 11-year tradition, attracting thousands of pilgrims from across the country who come to venerate both the monastery’s relics and others brought from across the Christian world.
This year, the relics of Saint George were chosen because his feast day falls close to the Myrrh-bearing Women Sunday, the third Sunday after Holy Pascha.
Archimandrite Serafim Baciu underlined the historic nature of the moment, as this is the first time the saint’s honourable skull is being brought to Romania.
“This moment, when the relics of Saint George are brought precisely on the occasion of his feast, is an added joy for all those who have him as their protector.”
He also stressed the relevance of the saint’s example today. “He is not a model of the past; he is a model we still need today. We still need faith and dignity. It is a timeless example.”
Schedule of the relics’ arrival
On Wednesday, around 11:00 a.m., the delegation bringing the relics is expected to arrive in Romania, with the reliquary reaching Pantocrator Monastery at approximately 2:30 p.m., in the presence of Bishop Galaction of Alexandria and Teleorman and Archimandrite Alexios, abbot of Xenophontos Monastery.
The relics will then be placed for veneration in the monastery’s main church. During the night of April 22–23, a vigil service in honour of Saint George will be officiated by Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland.
On Thursday, the Akathist Hymn to Saint George will be served at 8:00 a.m., followed by the Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.
Read more: Mount Athos abbot invites faithful to venerate relics of Saint George during Romania pilgrimage
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene
