Faithful in Romania will have their first chance to venerate the right hand of St Basil the Great, on display at the Diocesan Cathedral of Alexandria from August 28 to September 2.
The reliquary containing the holy relic will be brought by Bishop Nicodemus of Skopelos, Auxiliary Bishop of the Metropolis of Chalkida, Istiaia and Northern Sporades of the Orthodox Church of Greece.
The visit coincides with the patronal feast of St. Alexander Diocesan Cathedral in Alexandria and the 30th anniversary of the Diocese of Alexandria and Teleorman.
On 1 September, Bishop Nicodemus will concelebrate the Divine Liturgy at the cathedral with Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina and Bishop Sebastian of Slatina and Romanați.
The right hand of St Basil the Great
According to information published by the Apostoliki Diakonia of the Church of Greece, the right hand of St Basil the Great comes from the treasury of the Metropolis of Nicomedia and was recovered in 1921 during the evacuation of the Orthodox Christian population from Asia Minor.
The holy relic was first transported aboard the military vessel Kilkis before being transferred to the warship Averof.
In October 1922, the reliquary was entrusted to the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, together with other sacred treasures from the Metropolis of Nicomedia and the Monastery of St Panteleimon.
According to synodal records, the saint’s right hand is preserved in a silver reliquary dating from 1849, the year engraved on the casket.
The holy relic is currently kept in the Chapel of the Holy Synod Hall in Athens.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene
