Bucharest, October 30, 2023
Photo: basilica.ro
More than 40 Romanian hierarchs from throughout the country and the Romanian Church’s diaspora dioceses came together to celebrate Bucharest’s patron saint last week.
They were joined by Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veria of the Greek Orthodox Church and Metropolitan Naum of Ruse of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church for the feast of St. Demetrius the New on October 26-27.
Every year, a week-long pilgrimage is held in honor of the saint, with processions and festive hierarchical celebrations. Met. Panteleimon brought relics of St. Demetrios the Myrrh-Gusher and the Panagia Sumela Icon from Greece for the pilgrimage this year.
Photo: basilica.ro
More than 60,000 people had come to venerate the relics of St. Demetrius as of his feast day on Friday, though more came to venerate by the time the pilgrimage ended on Sunday.
His feast day began with the All-Night Vigil at the Patriarchal Cathedral on Thursday evening. The service was led by the Patriarchal Vicar Bishop Paisie of Sinaia. Watch the Vigil service:
In his homily during the Vigil, Bp. Paisie spoke about the many miracles of St. Demetrius and how his relics have saved the people of Bucharest and Romania during earthquakes, plagues, revolutions, wars, fires, and much more
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated the next morning by a total of 44 hierarchs. Watch the Divine Liturgy:
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