Bringing the relics of Saint Demetrius the New to Bucharest: Program of the celebrationtranslated

During July 12-13, 2026, at the Patriarchal Cathedral, the celebration of the Bringing of the Relics of Saint Demetrius the New to Bucharest will be celebrated.

The liturgical events will take place according to the following schedule:

Sunday, July 12, 2026

17:00 – Vigil Service, performed by the Most Reverend Father Paisie Sinaitul, Patriarchal Vicar Bishop; 20:00 – Procession around the Cathedral, with the holy relics of Saint Demetrius the New.

Monday, July 13, 2026

09:00 – Holy Liturgy, performed by the Most Reverend Father Paisie Sinait, together with a council of priests and deacons; 11:30 a.m. – The service of the Parastas for the founders and servants of the Cathedral, who have gone to the Lord since 1774 until now.

Bringing the relics to Bucharest In 2026, it will be 252 years since the relics of Saint Demetrius were brought to Bucharest by General Ivan Piotr Saltîkov, who took them from the village of Basarabi, near Ruse, to protect them from the invasion of the Turks during the Russo-Turkish War of 1768-1774.

Saint Demetrius the New is the patron saint of Bucharest, and his feast is one of the most important pilgrimages in Romania.