Botoșani, Botoșani County, Romania, April 24, 2026
Photo: doxologia.ro
Hundreds of faithful gathered Wednesday evening in Botoșani, Romania, for a procession carrying the relics of St. Cleopa of Sihăstria, held in connection with the feast day of the local St. George’s Church.
The events began with the Vespers service combined with the Litia. Then the procession through the city center was led by His Eminence Metropolitan Teofan of Moldova and Bukovina and auxiliary bishops Nichifor of Botoșani of the Archdiocese of Iași and Nectarie of Bogdania of the Archdiocese of Chișinău, reports the Basilica News Agency.
Photo: basilica.ro
St. George’s Church has organized processions with relics of various saints in recent years for its patronal feast. This year, the relics of St. Cleopa were brought, given that he was a native of Botoșani County.
St. Cleopa is among 16 martyrs, confessors and ascetics of the 20th century who were canonized by the Romanian Synod in 2024. He is perhaps the most beloved Romanian elder of the period of communist persecution and is the most well-known in the English-speaking Orthodox world. His relics, along with those of his spiritual father St. Paisie Olaru, were uncovered in April 2025.
Bp. Nichifor described the procession as an extension of the feast day’s joy and the witness of faith that must be carried beyond the church courtyard. He concluded that St. George doesn’t belong to just one time or place, but is close to all who honor him and confess the true faith.
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