One of the most anticipated moments for the Romania Church is the arrival of the relics of Saint George in Romania this Wednesday from Mount Athos. Archimandrite Serafim Baciu, administrative vicar of the Diocese of Alexandria and Teleorman, emphasized that Saint George remains “a model of faith and witness for young people.”
Speaking to Basilica.ro, the archimandrite urged pilgrims to approach the event with prayer and reverence.
“We encourage all pilgrims and lovers of the saints to come during these days and offer humble prayers before the reliquary containing the honourable skull of Saint George, who is a swift helper and healer.”
“We also ask all those who venerate the relics to show patience, decency and respect, so that the entire pilgrimage may be marked besides all by humble prayer,” he added.
The cleric noted that the pilgrimage held on the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women at Pantocrator Monastery has become an 11-year tradition, attracting thousands of pilgrims from across the country who come to venerate both the monastery’s relics and others brought from across the Christian world.
This year, the relics of Saint George were chosen because his feast day falls close to the Myrrh-bearing Women Sunday, the third Sunday after Holy Pascha.
Archimandrite Serafim Baciu underlined the historic nature of the moment, as this is the first time the saint’s honourable skull is being brought to Romania.
“This moment, when the relics of Saint George are brought precisely on the occasion of his feast, is an added joy for all those who have him as their protector.”
He also stressed the relevance of the saint’s example today. “He is not a model of the past; he is a model we still need today. We still need faith and dignity. It is a timeless example.”
“You will receive joy so long as you turn to Saint George with love,” said Archimandrite Alexios, Abbot of Xenophontos Monastery on Mount Athos.
The Athonite abbot highlighted the significance of the forthcoming bringing of the honourable skull of the Holy Great Martyr George the Trophy-bearer to Pantocrator Monastery in Teleorman County, southern Romania, between April 22 and 28.
The message was delivered in the katholikon of the Athonite monastery dedicated to Saint George, where both the honourable skull and a portion of his hand are preserved. “These holy relics, filled with grace, convey joy and blessing to those who venerate them,” he said.
Archimandrite Alexios of Xenophontos recalled that “the hand has already visited your homeland, and now the honourable skull will also come to you.” The moment, he added, offers Romanians an opportunity “to venerate and receive the grace and blessing of Saint George.”
The abbot of Xenophontos Monastery encouraged the faithful to pray fervently to Saint George: “Pray to him with faith and devotion, bringing the petitions of your hearts.”
At the conclusion of his message, Archimandrite Alexios expressed his wish to be present in Romania, bringing together with the monastic brotherhood “the Athonite blessing, and above all the grace of the Holy Great Martyr George.”
Pilgrimage at Pantocrator Monastery
The head of the Holy Great Martyr George the Trophy-bearer will be brought to Romania for the first time, to Pantocrator Monastery in Teleorman County.
The monastery will remain open continuously to allow all pilgrims access to venerate the holy relic.
The event will take place on the occasion of the monastery’s patronal feast, celebrated on the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women.
Photo: Facebook / Pantocrator Monastery, Source: Basilica.ro
