With the blessing of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of Romania, the relics of Saints Constantine and Helen from the Patriarchal Cathedral were brought today, 27 November 2013, in a pilgrimage to the Archdiocese of Lower Danube. They are carried to Galați by His Eminence Calinic, Archbishop of Argeș and Muscel, the delegate of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The relics of Saints Constantine and Helen departed to Galați from the Patriarchal Residence, in the presence of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, His Eminence Petru, Metropolitan of Bessarabia and Exarch of the Lands, and His Eminence Archbishop Calinic of Argeș and Muscel.
Upon the departure of the delegation, the Patriarch of Romania said that the relics are carried to Galati in order to strengthen the faith and piety of the faithful pilgrims over there and sent his blessings: “As a sign of appreciation and blessing to the missionary work, we want to offer to the faithful pilgrims in Galați who come to the Feast of Saint Andrew these relics to be venerated and bring strength to their faith, piety and Orthodox confession. We pray that the Good Lord grant you the joy of the missionary and transmit on our behalf paternal blessings and our appreciation for all the missionary work that is accomplished in that eastern part of our country and continues the apostolic ministry begun by Saint Andrew the Apostle, the Apostle of the Romanians and Protector of Romania”.
The relics of Saints Constantine and Helen will be carried on the streets of Galați in the “Travelers on the path of the saints” procession, together with a copy with of the icon of the Mother of God – Prodromița from the Archdiocesan Cathedral of Galați and the shrines with fragments of the relics of Saint Apostle Andrew and of Saints Nicholas, Athanasius and Basil the Great. The procession is dedicated to Saints Constantine and Helen and Saint Andrew the Apostle, Protector of Galați.
