Relics of St. Gregory the Teacher brought out of Romanian monastery for first-time ever for anti-pandemic procession

Ilfov County, Romania, June 24, 2020

Photo: basilica.ro Photo: basilica.ro     

An historical event was held on Saturday, as the relics of St. Gregory Dascălul (“the Teacher”) were brought out of the Căldărușani Monastery for the first-time ever to be carried in a procession for the cessation of the coronavirus pandemic and thanksgiving for the blessings received from God, reports the Basilica News Agency.

Photo: basilica.ro Photo: basilica.ro     

The wonderworking icon of the Mother of God from Căldărușani Monastery and the relics of the Great Martyr Artemius were also carried in the “Traveling with the Saints to Christ” pilgrimage that covered 100 miles and 17 localities. The procession was organized by Căldărușani and Sitaru Monasteries together with the Deanery of Ilfov Nord outside of Bucharest.

Protopresbyter Cristian Burcea explained: “The people are going through a period of trial this year. With God’s help, today we are carrying out this historical procession, in the hope that, through the intercession of the Holy Hierarch Gregory the Teacher, the people will be delivered from this disease.”

Photo: basilica.ro Photo: basilica.ro     

At each locality, the procession made short stops for prayer for deliverance from the pandemic and for fruitful rains. Prayers were also read for students who began their exams on St. Gregory’s feast day on Monday.

“It’s no coincidence that St. Gregory received the title of ‘Teacher.’ He was the founder of theological schools and, when he passed to the Lord, the only fortune discovered in his cell were his books, which he left with a will to young people who wanted to learn from books,” Fr. Cristian explained.

Photo: basilica.ro Photo: basilica.ro     

Archimandrite Lavrentie Gâță, the abbot of Căldărușani Monastery, noted that this is the first time St. Gregory’s relics have left the monastery since his repose in the 19th century. The wonderworking icon of the Mother of God was previously brought out in procession 15 years ago when there was a terrible drought. It began to rain a few hours after the procession ended, the abbot noted.

On April 22, the relics of St. Filofteia of Argeş, known as the “Protectress of Romania,” were carried in procession throughout Argeş County for the first time in 73 years.

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6/24/2020

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