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The Pantocrator Monastery is preparing for the patron saint: Four days of prayer in honor of Saint Mary Magdalenetranslated

July 2, 2026 · 1 min read

The Pantocrator Monastery in Drăgănești-Vlașca, Teleorman county, is preparing for the patron saint, in honor of the Holy Mironosița Maria Magdalena. The event will take place between July 19-22.

The liturgical events will begin on Sunday, July 19, when, from 08:30, the reliquary with the relics of the saint and the Icon of the Mother of God "Portărița", brought from the Iviron Monastery in the Holy Mount Athos, will be placed for worship. From 09:00, the Savior's Akathist will be celebrated, then, from 09:30, the Holy Bishop's Liturgy. On the same day, from 17:00, the Great Vespers will be celebrated together with the Litany.

On Monday, July 20, the feast of the Holy Prophet Elijah, the program will continue with the Akathist of the saint, from 09:00, and the Holy Liturgy, starting at 09:30.

On Tuesday, July 21, the faithful will participate in the Holy Liturgy, from 8:30 a.m., and from 8:00 p.m., the Vigil service will be held in honor of Saint Mary Magdalene.

The central moment of the patronage will take place on Wednesday, July 22, when the patron saint of the monastery will be honored. The program will start at 09:00, with the Akathist of St. Mary Magdalene, followed from 09:30 by the Holy Bishop's Liturgy.

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Source: Агентство Basilica (română) · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (9) 🌐 Show original

Samuel Mitchell

Seeing that Portărița icon travel all the way from Athos for this feast makes me think of how real the Church is—not just in books, but moving between monasteries like that.

Ruth Thomas

It's especially meaningful since our own church brought St. Nicholas' icon from St. John Climacus Monastery in Florida last year—saw the sisters' hands cradling it when they arrived. Makes you realize holiness isn't just in the painting but in the journey.

Alexander Wright

That's true—our parish got St. John's icon from Valamo last year, and the sisters carried it through customs clutching it like a baby. Makes the 'journey' feel real, not just a nice idea.

Πέτρος Λαμπρόπουλος

Sunt din Patra si mă thinkesc if o să vină și omeni din Patra la estă sărbață? Mănăstirea Iviron din Athos is so important to us.

Photini Miller

That reliquary case Ruth mentioned—she said her church carried relics like a baby in their arms. I wonder if Pantocrator's sisters do the same with the Magdalene relics, or if they just hold the icon case the same way they did when bringing it from Iviron.

Larisa Tudor

As Ruth also said, the Iviron monastery brings its icon like a child in its arms. I would like to know if at Pantocrator they will do the same with the relics of Saint Mary Magdalene, as happened when they brought the icon from Athos.

Екатерина Иванова

Our church in St. Petersburg also received an icon of St. Seraphim of Valaam, and when they were transporting it through the airport, the sock cover already had such a smooth area, as if it had been held in hands for a long time. Do you think the Pantocrator has the same smooth case from transportation from Athos?

Stephen Walker

Our lot once brought an icon of the Mother of God from Iviron through Heathrow and the customs lady asked if it was “valuable.” We just said “yes, very” and she waved us through. Did the sisters at your place have any funny stories about getting it home?

Thomas Hall

That’s a beautiful memory, Ruth. Our parish did something similar a few years back with the Iveron icon from Hawaii—watching the guys from the monastery set it down so gently on the table after the long drive really stuck with me. Did the sisters stay for the whole Liturgy or just the welcome?