Right hand of St. John the Russian reunited with his relics after more than 100 years (+VIDEO)

New Prokopion, Evia, Greece, May 28, 2024

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It was announced earlier this month that a portion of the right hand of St. John the Russian would be reunited with the full body of the saint during the annual pilgrimage held in his honor in Evia, Greece, at the end of May.

Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Chalkida of the Orthodox Church of Greece noted that the right hand has long been separated from the rest of the relics, replaced by a golden replica. “But the astonishing news is that at this year’s feast of the saint, we’ll have his hand returned,” the hierarch said, reports newsbomb.gr.

The bishop explained that it had come to his attention that a portion of the right hand had been preserved and protected by a devout family, and through their spiritual father, he encouraged them to give the precious relics to be placed with the fullness of St. John’s relics in the church built in his honor in New Prokopion, Evia.

Photo: newsbomb.gr Photo: newsbomb.gr     

St. Panteleimon’s Monastery on Mt. Athos is also home to another portion of St. John’s right hand.

This year’s festivities, centered on the commemoration of St. John on Sunday evening and Monday, May 26-27, also marked the 100th anniversary of the transfer of his relics from Cappadocia to Evia. More than a thousand pilgrims began arriving to venerate the saint as early as May 19.

And on Sunday afternoon, before the start of the solemn Vespers, the precious right hand was received by Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens, stirring the faithful to great emotion.

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“The relic of St. John the Russian represents the future of all human bodies. The human body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. This body will be resurrected at the second coming. The body of St. John the Russian foreshadows immortality,” the Archbishop said.

That evening, an all-night vigil was held until the early hours of Monday morning. On Monday morning, Metropolitan Georgios of Karpenisi presided over the Orthros service, and Metropolitan Nikandros of Eirenoupolis led the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.

Photo: newsbomb.gr Photo: newsbomb.gr     

Following the service, a procession with the holy relics of St. John was held through the streets of Neo Prokopion. In the city square, a prayer service for the health of all pilgrims was held.

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5/28/2024

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The relics were brought by Elder Nektarios (Moulatsiotis), abbot of the Monastery of Sts. Augustine of Hippo and Seraphim of Sarov in the Metropolis of Phokis.

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