This year’s pilgrimage marking the feast of St Demetrius the New, Protector of Bucharest (27 October), organised by the Romanian Patriarchate and the Archdiocese of Bucharest, will be enriched by the presence of the reliquary containing the holy relics of St Elizabeth of Pasărea, which will be brought to Bucharest on Saturday, 24 October 2026.
The pilgrimage will take place from 18 to 28 October 2026, according to the following programme.
Between 18 and 23 October 2026, the faithful will be able to venerate the holy relics of St Demetrius the New, Protector of Bucharest; Great Martyr Demetrius the Myrrh-Gusher; Sts Constantine and Helen, Equal to the Apostles; and St Nectarios inside the historic Patriarchal Cathedral, as restoration work on the paintings is under way in its porch.
During this period, the relics will be accessible for veneration daily between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm.
As the holy relics will be displayed for veneration only inside the historic Patriarchal Cathedral from 18 to 23 October 2026, when fewer pilgrims are expected, families with young children are encouraged to visit during these days to avoid the crowds anticipated towards the end of the patronal celebrations.
The Way of the Saints procession – Saturday, 24 October
On Saturday, 24 October 2026, beginning at 12:00 noon, the Way of the Saints procession will take place, carrying the holy relics of St Demetrius the New, Protector of Bucharest; St Demetrius the Myrrh-Gusher, the Great Martyr; St Nectarios; Sts Constantine and Helen; and St Elizabeth of Pasărea.
The procession will follow two routes:
The first procession group will depart from the Patriarchal Cathedral, carrying the relics of St Demetrius the New and St Demetrius the Myrrh-Gusher.
Route: Patriarchal Cathedral – Patriarhiei Street – Regina Maria Boulevard – foot of Patriarchate Hill (Unirii Square).
The second procession group will depart from the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Spyridon the New, carrying the relics of St Nectarios, Sts Constantine and Helen, and St Elizabeth of Pasărea.
Route: Bibescu Vodă Street – foot of Patriarchate Hill (Unirii Square).
Both procession groups will meet at the foot of Patriarchate Hill and proceed together uphill towards the Patriarchal Cathedral.
At 12:45 pm, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel will welcome the reliquaries at the Patriarchal Cathedral’s outdoor altar and deliver a blessing address.
The holy relics will then be placed for veneration in the Baldachin of the Saints on the Patriarchate’s Hill, where pilgrims can pay their respects.
Liturgical programme: 18–28 October 2026
Sunday, 18 October 2026
9:30 am–12:00 noon: Divine Liturgy at the outdoor altar.
4:00–6:30 pm: Paraklesis to the Mother of God in the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Monday, 19 October 2026
9:00–10:30 am: Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral.
4:00–6:30 pm: Vespers and the Paraklesis to St Demetrius the New in the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Tuesday, 20 October 2026
9:00–10:30 am: Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral.
4:00–6:30 pm: Vespers and the Paraklesis to St Demetrius the New in the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Wednesday, 21 October 2026
9:00–10:30 am: Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral.
4:00–6:30 pm: Vespers and the Paraklesis to St Demetrius the New in the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Thursday, 22 October 2026
9:00–10:30 am: Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral.
4:00–6:30 pm: Vespers and the Paraklesis to St Demetrius the New in the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Friday, 23 October 2026
9:00–10:30 am: Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral.
4:00–6:30 pm: Vespers and the Paraklesis to St Demetrius the New in the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Saturday, 24 October 2026
9:00–10:30 am: Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral.
12:00 noon–1:30 pm: Way of the Saints procession.
5:00–9:00 pm: Vigil service in honour of St Elizabeth of Pasărea in the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Sunday, 25 October 2026
9:30 am–12:30 pm: Divine Liturgy at the outdoor altar.
5:00–9:30 pm: Vigil service in honour of St Demetrius the Myrrh-Gusher at the outdoor altar.
Monday, 26 October 2026
9:30 am–12:00 noon: Divine Liturgy at the outdoor altar.
12:00 noon–1:00 pm: Proclamation of the Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Military Martyrs.
5:00–9:00 pm: Vigil service in honour of St Demetrius the New, Protector of Bucharest, at the outdoor altar.
Tuesday, 27 October 2026
9:30 am–12:30 pm: Hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, together with hierarchs of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church and a gathering of priests and deacons, at the outdoor altar.
5:00–9:30 pm: Vigil service in honour of St Hyacinth, Metropolitan of Wallachia, and St Theophano Basarab, at the outdoor altar.
Wednesday, 28 October 2026
9:30 am–12:30 pm: Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral.
4:00–6:30 pm: Vespers and the Paraklesis to St Demetrius the New in the Patriarchal Cathedral.
The holy relics will be returned to their places inside the Patriarchal Cathedral after the final pilgrim has completed their veneration.
Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate
