Thousands of pilgrims are expected to come to Bucharest this week to attend the religious ceremonies organized to celebrate Saint Dimitrie the New, the protector of Bucharest.

This is one of the largest pilgrimages in Romania. Romanians celebrate Saint Dimitrie on October 27 but the pilgrimage goes on during the entire week.

Several religious manifestations are to be organized this week, until Sunday, October 29. This year, a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, led by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, will bring to Bucharest a fragment of the Holy Relics of the Saint Seraphim of Sarov.

A fragment of the Holy Cross, as well as the icons and the Holy Relics will be deposited for worship in the new canopy installed on the Patriarchy Hill in downtown Bucharest. The Patriarchal Cathedral is located there, being the center of the Saint Dimitrie the New pilgrimage.

Those who don’t want to participate in the religious ceremonies organized this week at the Patriarchal Cathedral are advised to avoid the area, which will be overcrowded with pilgrims who come to pray at the relics. Several traffic restrictions will also be in place this week.

The pilgrimage in Bucharest happens just days after the largest pilgrimage in Romania, the one in Iasi, which brings together tens of thousands of people who come to pray at Saint Parascheva’s relics.

Irina Marica, irina.marica@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Basilica.ro)