The “Way of the Saints” procession took place on Thursday through the streets of the Romanian capital. Pilgrims were greeted by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel at the outdoor Altar of the Patriarchal Cathedral, where he emphasised the spiritual meaning of the pilgrimage.
The procession began from two points. The first group departed from the Patriarchal Cathedral, carrying the relics of Saint Demetrius the New and Saint Demetrius the Myrrh-Gusher, following the route: Patriarchal Cathedral – Patriarhiei Street – Queen Maria Boulevard – the foot of Patriarchate Hill (Union Square).
The second column set out from the Metropolitan Cathedral of “Saint Spyridon,” carrying the relics of Saint Nectarios, Saint John Jacob of Neamț, and Saints Constantine and Helen, following the route: Bibescu Vodă Street – the foot of Patriarchate Hill (Union Square).
Both processions met at the base of Patriarchate Hill, and the pilgrims accompanied the reliquaries containing the holy relics up to the esplanade of the Patriarchal Cathedral.
At the outdoor altar, Patriarch Daniel was joined by His Eminence Archbishop Nifon of Târgoviște, honorary Metropolitan and Patriarchal Exarch, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia, and His Grace Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova, from the Archdiocese of Bucharest.
Pilgrim on the Road to the Kingdom of Heaven
In his address to the pilgrims, Patriarch Daniel recalled that, alongside the relics of Saint Demetrius the New, the relics of Saint John Jacob the New Chozebite were also placed for veneration this year—gifts from Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem to the National Cathedral in 2018.
“Every Christian is a pilgrim on the road to the Kingdom of Heaven, and our encounter with the holy relics of these two great saints strengthens our faith and inspires us to live our lives in the love of Christ,” the Patriarch said.
He added that Saint Demetrius the New and Saint John Jacob the Chozebite of Neamț are for us great witnesses of the true faith and examples of unceasing prayer. His Beatitude also presented key moments from the life of Saint John Jacob the New Chozebite, who was canonised by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church in 1992.
Continuity of Holiness in the Romanian People
The Patriarch of Romania emphasised that the presence of a fragment of Saint John Jacob’s relics at the historic Patriarchal Cathedral, alongside those of Saint Demetrius the New, Protector of Bucharest, is a great spiritual joy for all believers.
“This encounter between two great Romanian saints—one from the 13th century and one from the 20th—shows the continuity of holiness in the Romanian people and strengthens us in faith,” he said.
“Saint John Jacob the Chozebite is a shining model for our times, a spiritual father and confessor of the 20th century who chose the path of asceticism and unceasing prayer. His life teaches us that, regardless of the times we live in or the trials we face, the calling to holiness remains the same,” Patriarch Daniel added.
Preserving Christian Identity—A Sacred Duty
Patriarch Daniel further underlined that the life of Saint John Jacob teaches us that preserving our Christian and Romanian identity is a sacred duty, especially in times when many of our compatriots live far from their homeland.
“He himself was always a pilgrim—far from his native land, but never far from Christ or from love for his people. Through his unceasing prayers and ascetic struggle in the Chozeba cave, he united earth with heaven, the Holy Land with Romania, and the past with the present and future in the light of Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).”
“Keeping in mind the example of these two great saints—Saint Dimitrie the New and Saint John Jacob of Neamț—before whose holy relics we bow in these blessed days, let us follow their humility, prayer, and merciful love, so that each of us may rejoice in their help and protection,” the Patriarch concluded.
He also reminded the pilgrims of the upcoming major events: the visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the consecration of the National Cathedral, and the feast of Saint Dimitrie the New.
Feast Program
The holy relics carried in the procession were placed in the Saints’ baldachin near the Patriarchal Cathedral, where they will remain until October 29, when the last pilgrim has venerated them.
The Divine Liturgy for the Feast will be celebrated at the outdoor altar of the Patriarchal Cathedral by His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, together with hierarchs of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church and an assembly of priests and deacons.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu
