For the first time in history, the relics of St. Gregory Palamas have left Thessaloniki and arrived in Iași on Saturday night. A Greek delegation led by Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki brought the relics, welcomed at Iași International Airport by Metropolitan Teofan of Moldova and Bukovina, clergy, and local officials.
The relics were placed for veneration beside those of Saint Paraskeva in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași, where a thanksgiving service was held. Metropolitan Teofan called the event “a historic blessing” and described St. Gregory as “a great defender of the true faith and an ascetic of Mount Athos” who “profoundly influenced Romanian monastic life.”
Metropolitan Philotheos expressed gratitude for the invitation and admiration for the Romanian faithful, noting the “moving sight” of pilgrims waiting for hours to venerate Saint Paraskeva. He highlighted the event as “the first time the relics of St. Gregory Palamas leave Thessaloniki to bless another local Church.”
Metropolitan of Thessaloniki: A moving witness of faith
Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki thanked for the invitation to take part in the Feast of Saint Paraskeva of Iași, calling it “a proof of the love in Christ shared by sister Churches in His name.”
“We thank you for granting us the blessing and opportunity to venerate the relics of Saint Paraskeva and to be part of this great miracle of pilgrimage, alongside all the faithful who come to honor her,” he added.
He continued: “It is a deeply moving sight — to see the long line of pilgrims waiting throughout the night, in difficult weather, for many hours, just to venerate the relics of Saint Paraskeva. This demonstrates the faith of the people who turn to the saints, seeking divine grace from those who are the friends and household of God.”
“We are also grateful that you have given us the opportunity to bring here, for the first time, a relic of Saint Gregory Palamas — the protector of Thessaloniki together with the Great Martyr Saint Demetrius.”
“It is the first time in the history of the Church, and of the Church of Thessaloniki in particular, that the relics of Saint Gregory Palamas leave the city to bless the local Church here in Iași,” Metropolitan Philotheos underlined.
Source/Photo credit: Doxologia.ro / Fr. Silviu Cluci
