The Feast Day of Saint Andrew the First-Called, Patron Saint of Romania and of the National Cathedral, was celebrated last Sunday with a spiritual programme at the new Patriarchal Cathedral.
The celebration began with the services of Midnight Office, Matins, and the Hours, followed by the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Auxiliary Bishops Varlaam of Ploiești, Paisie of Sinaia, and Timotei of Prahova.
On this occasion, Patriarch Daniel of Romania delivered the homily, speaking about the mission of Saint Andrew in ancient Scythia Minor (modern-day Dobruja) and emphasising that the Apostolic faith he brought to the ancestors of the Romanian people has remained unchanged to this day.
“The consecration of the site for the new Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest took place on 29 November 2007, the eve of the Feast of Saint Andrew. And in 2011, when the venerable head of Saint Andrew was brought in pilgrimage to Bucharest for the feast of Saint Demetrius the New, the foundation of the new Cathedral was circled as a sign of blessing for the beginning of its construction.”
“In the Centennial Year of Greater Romania, 2018, the right hand of Saint Andrew was brought to Bucharest by Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras for the consecration of the Altar of the National Cathedral. At that time, we said: the head of Saint Andrew inspired the Cathedral, and his hand helped us to build it and consecrate its Altar. For this reason, we rejoice especially whenever we commemorate Saint Andrew and whenever we see the National Cathedral under his protection,” the Patriarch told the thousands of faithful present.
Pilgrimage and Devotion
Also on Sunday, the reliquary containing the relics of Saint Andrew and its baldachin were placed outside for veneration, in the open porch of the National Cathedral, where the mosaic icon of the Apostle is located.
Thousands of worshippers attending the autumn patronal feast of the National Cathedral — also known as the Romanian People’s Salvation Cathedral — prayed in an atmosphere of deep devotion and communal unity.
The Cathedral’s other patronal feast is the Ascension of the Lord.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu
Source: basilica.ro
