The relics of St. Demetrius the New, Protector of Bucharest, were carried in an impressive procession on the streets of Bucharest on Friday evening, on the eve of the first celebration of the Feast of the Translation of the Relics of St. Demetrius the New to Romania’s capital city.
This feast was recently introduced into the Romanian Orthodox Church calendar, and it is commemorated on July 13. This year marks 250 years since the saint’s relics were brought to Romania’s capital.
The procession was preceded by the All-night Vigil service, officiated by His Grace Timotei of Prahova, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, along with abbots from the monasteries in the archdiocese.
Upon returning from the procession, the relics were welcomed at the outdoor altar near the Patriarchal Cathedral by Patriarch Daniel, hierarchs of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, and His Eminence Metropolitan Naum of Ruse, the Bulgarian diocese where St. Demetrius lived.
“The presence of the relics of Saint Demetrius the New in the midst of Bucharest for two and a half centuries testifies to the grace and blessing that God bestows, through His saints, upon those who pray to Him with faith, visibly showing God’s love for His faithful people. It is also a concrete proof of the faithful’s love for God, Who is Wonderful in His saints (Psalm 67:36),” said His Beatitude.
“For two and a half centuries, the relics of Saint Demetrius the New have been a shield, a source of joy and peace, comfort, and blessing for the inhabitants of Bucharest and all the faithful who sought him in their prayers, with the saint’s miracles stemming from merciful love for people in suffering,” the Patriarch of Romania further reminded.
“We congratulate all those who contributed to the successful organization of this celebration, which brings together parishes and monasteries, clergy and laity, church servants, gendarmes, and particularly the guiding gendarmes.”
“Additionally, we congratulate all those who participated in this evening’s procession on the Feast of the Translation of the Relics of Saint Demetrius the New to Bucharest. We pray to God to grant everyone, through the prayers of Saint Demetrius the New, health and happiness, peace and joy, help in their families and activities, with many blessed years, to grow in faith and Christian love, in holiness and good deeds, for the glory of the Most Holy Trinity, for the joy of the saints, and for the attainment of salvation!” concluded Patriarch Daniel.
The jubilee ceremonies on the Patriarchate Hill, marking 250 years since the Translation of the Relics of St. Demetrius the New to Bucharest, continued on Saturday with the Divine Liturgy, celebrated at the outdoor altar by Patriarch Daniel, together with Metropolitan Naum of Ruse and other Romanian hierarchs.
Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu
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