On 24 October 2012, the Way of the Saints procession took place organised as every year on the Joy Hill, with the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. This year, the relics of Saint Hierarch Nectarie from Egina accompanied the relics of Saint Dimitrios the New and of Saints Constantine and Helen within the traditional procession. All the priests of the deaneries of Bucharest and of Ilfov county, as well as hundreds of faithful attended the event.
Procession at the Patriarchal Cathedral
Two processions simultaneously started at 11.30 hours. The procession of the shrine of Saint Pious Dimitrios the New left from the Patriarchal Cathedral and followed the Queen Mary Ave, up to the foot of the Joy Hill. The priests of Deaneries I and II Capital, of Deanery Ilfov North, and monks from the Monasteries of Cernica, Plumbuita and Darvari, accompanied the procession from the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Procession from Saint Spiridon the New Metropolitan Cathedral
The procession of the shrine of the relics of Saints Emperors Constantine and Helen left from Saint Spiridon the New Metropolitan Cathedral and took the Serban Voda and Bibescu Voda Streets up to the foot of the Joy Hill. The priests of Deanery III Capital and the priests of charity of the Archdiocese of Bucharest participated in the procession on the itinerary established.
The two processions joined at the foot of the Joy Hill, around 12.15 hours, for meeting the relics of Saint Hierarch Nectarie of Egina, brought by His Eminence Efrem, Metropolitan of Ydra, Spetses and Egina.
After their meeting, the new procession formed climbed the Joy Hill up to the podium in the yard of the Patriarchal Cathedral.
During the Procession, the troparions of Saint Nectarie from Egina and of Saint Pious Dimitrios the New and of Saint Emperors Constantine and Helen were sung.
Polichronion Service for Meeting the Holy Relics
At 12.30 hours, the relics of Saint Hierarch Nectarie, of Saint Dimitrios the New and of Saints Emperors Constantine and Helen, the clergy and pilgrims were met by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel.
On this occasion, the polichronion service was celebrated for receiving the holy relics of Saint Nectarie from Egina. To end with the religious service, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel delivered the welcome speech followed by the answer of His Eminence Efrem, Metropolitan of Ydra, Spetses and Egina.
The Holy Relics Laid to be Worshipped
Then, the shrines of the relics of Saint Hierarch Nectarine, of Saint Pious Dimitrios the New and of Saints Emperors Constantine and Helen were laid under the canopy specially arranged on the esplanade of the Patriarchal Cathedral to be worshipped.
