{"id":534320,"date":"2025-07-15T14:57:48","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T11:57:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=534320"},"modified":"2025-07-15T14:59:54","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T11:59:54","slug":"saint-john-chrysostom-relic-bucharest-patriarchal-cathedral-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/saint-john-chrysostom-relic-bucharest-patriarchal-cathedral-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Saint John Chrysostom\u2019s relic brought to Bucharest: Not only an opportunity for veneration, Patriarch Daniel says"},"content":{"rendered":"

The honourable skull of Saint John Chrysostom was brought to the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest from Mount Athos at midday on Friday, marking the summer feast of Saint Demetrius the New<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe presence of Saint John Chrysostom\u2019s relics in Romania is not only an opportunity for veneration and prayer, but also a call to a deeper listening to the Word of God,\u201d said Patriarch Daniel during the welcoming ceremony at the Patriarchal Cathedral.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs Saint John Chrysostom was worthy to receive direct inspiration from the Holy Apostle Paul in interpreting Scripture, so we too are called to open our hearts to hear the voice of God in our lives,\u201d His Beatitude added.<\/p>\n

The relic was brought from Vatopedi Monastery by a delegation led by Archimandrite Ephraim Koutsou.<\/p>\n

In his remarks at the cathedral, the Abbot of Vatopedi highlighted that Saint John Chrysostom was not only a missionary but also a great ascetic, \u201ca man of obedience who submitted himself to a spiritual father and dedicated himself to prayer and obedience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Archimandrite Ephraim of Vatopedi also shared a miracle he witnessed, where a person arrived on crutches to venerate the relic of Saint John Chrysostom\u2019s skull and left healed.<\/p>\n

“An Act of Great Spiritual Significance”<\/h2>\n

Patriarch Daniel emphasised that bringing these holy relics to Bucharest, to be honoured alongside the relics of Saint Demetrius the New, represents “an act of great spiritual significance.”<\/p>\n

\u201cAs in the 5th century, Saint Proclus brought the relics of Saint John Chrysostom from Comana to Constantinople for the reconciliation and blessing of the Imperial Capital, so today these holy relics come to bring blessing upon our Capital and the entire country,\u201d Patriarch Daniel noted.<\/p>\n

His Beatitude added that this year marks 251 years since the relics of Saint Demetrius the New were brought to Bucharest in 1774, giving this year\u2019s reception of Saint John Chrysostom\u2019s relics “a truly special meaning.”<\/p>\n

\u201cThese two great saints, though living in different times, unite in their shared prayer for the Romanian people, for the Greek people, and for all of Orthodoxy.\u201d<\/p>\n

During a ceremony following the reception, Abbot Ephraim was awarded the Patriarchal Cross.<\/p>\n

The honourable skull of Saint John Chrysostom has been placed for public veneration inside the Patriarchal Cathedral, beside the relics of Saint Demetrius the New.<\/p>\n

The relic will remain in Bucharest until Wednesday, July 16.<\/p>\n

For more photos, visit the Photo Gallery section.<\/a><\/p>\n