Bucharest, October 25, 2023
Photo: basilica.ro
The Romanian Orthodox Church held its annual Way of the Saints procession in honor of St. Demetrius the New, the patron saint of Bucharest and one of the most beloved Romanian saints, yesterday.
Every year, there is a week-long celebration in honor of St. Demetrius, with pilgrims coming to the Patriarchal Cathedral to venerate his holy relics. His actual feast will be marked on Thursday.
Yesterday, thousands of Orthodox pilgrims processed through the streets of the capital with the relics of St. Demetrius and other saints, reports the Basilica News Agency.
Traditionally, relics are brought from other Orthodox countries especially for the celebration. This year’s “guest” is St. Demetrios the Myrrh-Gusher, as well as the Panagia Sumela Icon.
The right hand of St. Demetrios the Myrrh-Gusher. Photo: basilica.ro
Two separate processions—one with the full relics of St. Demetrius the New and particles of the relics of St. Nektarios of Aegina, the other with relics of Sts. Constantine and Helen—met at the base of the hill of the Romanian Patriarchate, with the Greek delegation led by Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veria that brought the right hand of St. Demetrios and the wonderworking icon of the Theotokos, and together they moved up the hill to the cathedral.
The video below shows extended scenes from the procession:
The relics were received at the outdoor altar by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania.
The Romanian primate offered prayers for all the pilgrims and that “God might shower His mercy upon all people who are in war today, who are suffering and in trouble.”
“All the saints of God call us to work together with God's grace, through prayer and repentance, through humility and merciful love, in order to achieve the sanctification of our lives and the likeness of the holy and merciful God,” he said, encouraging his flock.
Panagia Sumela Icon. Photo: basilica.ro
He also thanked Met. Panteleimon for bringing the spiritual treasures from Greece. The hierarch was also present at the Romanian pilgrimage last year, having brought relics of St. Gregory Palamas.
“We humbly pray that the grace of the Most Holy Mother of God and her miraculous Panagia Sumela Icon might strengthen you all, grant you strength and assistance, bless you, and always cover the pious and faithful Romainan people with her Holy Protection!” the Greek hierarch said.
The sacred relics were then placed for veneration on the Patriarchate Hill, where they will remain until the pilgrimage ends on Sunday, October 29.
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