Romanian Orthodox Archbishop Varsanufie of Râmnic officiated the Divine Liturgy in Ude, Georgia – Hieromartyr Anthimus the Georgian’s native town. The saint was one of the Romanian hierarch’s predecessors on the throne of Râmnic.
St Anthimus, who is honored by both Romanians and Georgians, is celebrated in Georgia on June 26. On this day this year, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the monastery of the saint’s native town, Ude.
The Archbishop of Râmnic was joined in concelebration by Metropolitan Teodor of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti and Metropolitan Sabbas of Khoni and Samtredia.
In his homily, Archbishop Varsanufie spoke of St Anthimus the Georgian.
“The strong faith he received in his native village helped him adorn his life with the virtues gained through long patience and deep humility, always cultivating gratitude towards God, his ancestors, and his benefactors,” the Romanian hierarch said.
HE Răzvan Rotundu, Ambassador of Romania to Georgia, by numerous local faithful and by the Ude Children’s Choir also attended the event.
His Eminence Varsanufie of Râmnic gifted the Ude Monastery, protected by the saint, with an icon representing their spiritual patron.
The celebrations dedicated to the Georgia-born holy hierarch continued at the Ude Cultural Center with children’s groups performing local folk songs and dances.
On the same day, the hierarchs and the foreign guests visited “St Nina” Monastery, dating back to St Anthimus the Georgian’s time and surrounded by the old local community cemetery.
Romanians celebrate Hieromartyr Anthimus the Georgian on September 27.
Photo source: Archdiocese of Râmnic
Source: basilica.ro
