Suceava, Romania, June 24, 2026
Photo: basilica.ro
Some 20,000 faithful gathered Sunday evening in Suceava, Romania, for the Path of the Saint procession marking the feast of the Translation of the Relics of St. John the New.
The procession, organized by the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți, commemorates the historic transfer of St. John’s relics from Cetatea Albă to Suceava, then the capital of Moldova under Prince Alexandru the Good, reports the Basilica News Agency.
Additional thousands lined the route at eleven stops where litanies were served.
Four hierarchs led the procession: His Eminence Archbishop Calinic of Suceava and Rădăuți and Their Graces Bishop Andrei of Covasna and Harghita, Bishop Nectarie of Bogdania, and Bishop Damaschin of Dornei. They were joined by clergy from the diocesan center, deanery representatives, and abbots and abbesses from Bucovinan monasteries.
Photo: basilica.ro
The procession opened behind a specially adorned icon of the saint, flanked by the national flag and the Archdiocese’s banner, carried by young people in traditional Romanian dress. Seminary students in sticharions followed, bearing crosses, fans, lanterns, and processional banners.
Volunteers from the Archdiocese’s youth centers, from the Orthodox Christian Students’ Association (ASCOR) Suceava branch, and from the Suceava Orthodox Youth Association (ATOS) also took part, alongside representatives of the local Polish and Ukrainian communities in their own traditional dress.
Students from the St. Stephen the Great National Military College in Câmpulung Moldovenesc and the Petru Rareș Gendarmerie Non-Commissioned Officers’ School in Fălticeni marched with torches, as did military personnel from the Vatra Dornei unit.
Photo: basilica.ro
The Path of the Saint procession has been held annually in Suceava for the past six years. The feast of the Translation of the Relics falls on June 24 and serves as the patronal feast of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți.
Celebrations continued with a Divine Liturgy in the courtyard of the St. John the New Monastery celebrated by Bp. Andrei of Covasna and Harghita. The program also included a memorial service for Moldovan princes, a book launch by Fr. Constantin Necula, and a Vigil service in honor of St. Elisabeth of Pasărea.
Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, and MeWe!
