Veliko Tarnovo, Veliko Tarnovo Province, Bulgaria, September 12, 2023
Photo: basilica.ro
The Orthodox faithful of Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, received a great gift on Sunday.
For 155 years (1238-1393), the relics of St. Paraskeva, one of the most beloved saints in the Balkans, lay in the Nativity of the Mother of God Cathedral in the Bulgarian city. However, they have remained in the cathedral in Iași, Romania, since 1641, working countless miracles.
But now, Veliko Tarnovo has gotten a “piece” of St. Paraskeva back from Romania. Five times a year, the garments adorning her relics are changed, and the old set is donated to a church that has requested them. There is a long list of churches that have made a request, and this time, it was the cathedral in Veliko Tarnovo’s turn.
His Eminence Metropolitan Grigorie of Veliko Tarnovo of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church welcomed the Romanian delegation with national honors, reports the Basilica News Agency.
“It has been some time since we built a church dedicated to the Holy Venerable Paraskeva, and now, through the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, we have received as a gift a garment of the saint that will permanently remain in our cathedral,” said Met. Grigorie.
“We thank His Beatitude for this priceless gift and we’re grateful to the Romanian Orthodox Church for keeping the holy relics and for welcoming us with joy when we come on pilgrimage,” he added.
The ceremony of handing over the relics-garments began with the changing of the flags of the two nations, and continued with a Te Deum.
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