{"id":525031,"date":"2025-05-01T12:57:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T09:57:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=525031"},"modified":"2025-05-01T12:57:02","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T09:57:02","slug":"patriarch-daniel-hails-saint-helena-as-first-pilgrim-to-holy-land","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/patriarch-daniel-hails-saint-helena-as-first-pilgrim-to-holy-land\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriarch Daniel hails Saint Helena as first pilgrim to Holy Land, who left an invaluable spiritual heritage"},"content":{"rendered":"

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church welcomed the relics of Saint Helena on Wednesday at the Patriarchal Cathedral, brought on pilgrimage from Venice. Empress Helena was \u201cthe first Christian pilgrim to the Holy Land\u201d and \u201cleft us a spiritual legacy of inestimable value,\u201d said the Patriarch of Romania.<\/strong><\/p>\n

His Beatitude emphasized that Romania is the second Orthodox country to receive the relics in the last eight centuries and recalled that their final destination in Romania is Pantocrator Monastery in Teleorman County, where they will remain for veneration until May 8, together with a relic of Saint Mary Magdalene the Myrrhbearer, which belongs to the monastery\u2019s collection of holy treasures.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a great joy for us, the Romanian people, that on this day, April 30, the holy relics are stopping for several hours at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, which is precisely under the protection of the Holy Emperors Constantine and Helena. This offers us the opportunity to venerate them with devotion and to receive the blessing of this great saint, who is honoured as Equal to the Apostles,\u201d said Patriarch Daniel.<\/p>\n

She laid the foundation for the tradition of pilgrimage<\/h2>\n
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The Patriarch of Romania, the Bishop of Alexandria and Teleorman, the Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia and the Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova of the Archdiocese of Bucharest welcomed on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Patriarchal Cathedral, the relics of Empress Helena brought from Venice. Photo: Basilica.ro \/ Mircea Florescu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Speaking about the spiritual legacy of Saint Helena, His Beatitude said:
\n\u201cThrough her example of faith, devotion, and generosity\u2014having helped many of the poor\u2014she represents Christian rulers, church builders, and benefactors of the people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThrough her pilgrimage to the Holy Places to discover the Holy Cross, she became the first Christian pilgrim to the Holy Land, highlighting the importance of seeking out and venerating the sacred places and objects related to the life of the Lord Christ and the lives of the saints,\u201d the Patriarch of Romania further emphasised.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy discovering the Holy Cross, Saint Helena offered us a tangible symbol of Christ\u2019s victory over sin and death, and by founding churches at the Holy Sites, she laid the foundation for a tradition of pilgrimage that continues to this day.\u201d<\/p>\n

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St. Helena was “the first Christian pilgrim to the Holy Land” and “left us a spiritual legacy of inestimable value,” the Patriarch of Romania said on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. The saint and her son, St. Constantine the Great, are the patron saints of the Patriarchal Cathedral. Photo: Basilica.ro \/ Mircea Florescu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

His Beatitude offered a historical overview of the saint\u2019s life and encouraged the faithful to pray to her for the good of the Church and of the country and to follow her example of faith and generosity.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Holy Empress Helena was 75 years old when she went to the Holy Places, and she lived five more years before passing to the Lord. During those five years, she built three or four churches and helped many Christian communities in the Holy Land,\u201d Patriarch Daniel recalled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are greatly blessed that, for the first time in this cathedral\u2014built between 1656 and 1658 and dedicated to the Holy Emperors Constantine and Helena\u2014her relics have now arrived.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gratitude for the initiative and involvement<\/h2>\n
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An assembly of hierarchs and clergy welcomed the relics of Saint Helena brought on pilgrimage from Venice on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. After their stop at the Patriarchal Cathedral, they will arrive at the Pantocrator Monastery in Teleorman County. Photo: Basilica.ro \/ Mircea Florescu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Patriarch Daniel expressed his gratitude to Bishop Galaction of Alexandria and Teleorman for initiating the pilgrimage, to all those present for their participation, to the Romanian Gendarmerie, and to everyone involved in organising the event.<\/p>\n

The delegation that welcomed the holy relics also included His Grace Bishop Galaction, Bishop of Alexandria and Teleorman\u2014the diocese that initiated the pilgrimage with the relics of the saint\u2014His Grace Bishop Paisie of Sinaia, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop, and His Grace Bishop Timotei of Prahova, Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bucharest.<\/p>\n

The hierarchs were joined by the clergy of the Patriarchal Cathedral, as well as priests from the Patriarchal Administration and the Diocesan Center of Bucharest.<\/p>\n