How many people attend the largest pilgrimage in Romania?

The largest pilgrimage in Romania ended on Thursday night, October 15. Some 200,000 people from across the country went to the cathedral in Iasi to pray at St. Parascheva’s relics during this year’s pilgrimage, which started on October 9, despite the cold weather and rain. Moreover, another 100,000 people attended the religious events organized near the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iasi, according to Marius Taranu, spokesman for the Bacau Mobile Group of Gendarmes, which took care of the security for this event, cited by local Mediafax. During the pilgrimage, over 700 people needed medical assistance, and 30 pilgrims were transported to the hospital. Four people were fined RON 1,000 for disturbing public order. St. Parascheva’s relics were brought back inside the Metropolitan Cathedral on the night of October 15. Several hundred people attended this religious ceremony. The Saint’s relics were taken out of the cathedral on Friday evening, October 9. After a short religious procession, they were placed outside, in the courtyard of the church. This year, the pilgrims also had the chance to pray at Mary Magdalene’s relics, brought from the Monastery of Simonos Petra from the Mount Athos. The relics were placed in a reliquary that also contained a piece of wood from the Holly Cross. Moreover, the relics of St. John Chrysostom were also brought to the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iasi on Sunday evening, October 11. Saint Parascheva is considered the protector of Moldova and Bucovina and Christians believe in the miraculous powers of the relics. She is celebrated every year on October 14. Largest pilgrimage in Romania brings thousands of people to Iasi Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com (Photo source: Doxologia.ro; Photo by Oana Nechifor)