Bucharest, October 28, 2019
Photo: basilica.ro
Thousands of pious Orthodox Christians from Romania and abroad traveled to Bucharest over the weekend to celebrate the feast of St. Demetrius the New, the patron saint and protector of Bucharest and one of the most beloved saints in Romania.
The relics of St. Demetrius, along with those of the newly-glorified St. Dionysius (Erhan) of Cetatea Alba and Ismail, and St. Philothea, the protectress of Romania, were carried in procession throughout the streets of Bucharest on Friday, in the annual “Way of the Saints” Procession, ending at the Patriarchal Cathedral, where the hierarchs and faithful were greeted by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania.
Photo: basilica.ro
The tradition of processing with St. Demetrius’ relics dates to the 19th century.
Photo: basilica.ro
St. Demetrius’ feast was celebrated on Sunday, October 27 on the square in front of the Patriarchal Cathedral, with thousands waiting in line for hours to venerate his relics and those of Sts. Dionysius and Philothea.
Photo: basilica.ro
The hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the feast was celebrated by Pat. Daniel with a number of hierarchs from the Romanian Church, as well as Metropolitan Naum of Ruse of the Bulgarian Church and Bishop Qais of Erzurum of the Antiochian Church, and representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Metropolis of Chişinău. Met. Naum and Bp. Qais also participated in the feast last year.
In his homily, Pat. Daniel urged for humility, courage, and hope, as exemplified by the three saints whose relics were present at the feast.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Dionysius (Erhan) was officially proclaimed a saint of the Church, with the Synodal tomos of his canonization being read out.
Photo: basilica.ro
Pat. Daniel thanked all the faithful pilgrims who came to celebrate the saints and made the celebration truly beautiful:
We thank you, beloved pilgrims, because without you the patronal feast could not have been beautiful. A church, however beautiful it may be, if it has no faithful during the service is not sufficiently beautiful. The beauty of the service is given by the multitude of luminous faces of the believers who are present praying and express their communion with the Holy Trinity and with all the saints of God. We wish you all good health and salvation, peace and joy and much help from God in your families and activities unto the glory of the Most Holy Trinity and for our salvation.
At last year’s feast of St. Demetrius, Pat. Daniel spoke of his life and his connection to Bucharest, noting that he was a simple monk who lived in fasting, prayer, simplicity, and great discernment in the 13th century, during the Second Bulgarian Empire.
Being a herder of cattle, the saint “reached spiritual perfection having the joy to live in solitude rather than among other people.” He was little known during his lifetime, but his glory spread after he reposed. His relics were later moved to Bucharest, where they remain to this day.
St. Demetrios the Myrrh-Gusher of Thessaloniki was also festively celebrated on Saturday.
