Patriarch Daniel hails relics of St Helena Equal-to-the-Apostles in Romania

The Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Daniel, solemnly received the relics of Saint Helena on Wednesday at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest. The relics were brought on pilgrimage from Venice, according to Basilica. Patriarch Daniel emphasized that Empress Helena was “the first Christian pilgrim to the Holy Land” and “left us a spiritual legacy of immeasurable value.”

He noted that Romania is the second Orthodox country in the past eight centuries to receive these relics. Their final destination in Romania is the Pantocrator Monastery in Teleorman County, where they will remain for veneration until May 8, alongside a relic of Saint Mary Magdalene the Myrrh-Bearer from the monastery’s collection of sacred items.

“It is a great joy for us, the Romanian people, that on this day, April 30, the holy relics are stopping for several hours at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, which is precisely under the protection of the Holy Emperors Constantine and Helena. This offers us the opportunity to venerate them with devotion and to receive the blessing of this great saint, who is honoured as Equal to the Apostles,” said Patriarch Daniel.

Speaking about the spiritual legacy of Saint Helena, the Patriarch noted: “Through her example of faith, devotion, and generosity – having helped many of the poor – she represents Christian rulers, church builders, and benefactors of the people.”

“Through her pilgrimage to the Holy Places to discover the Holy Cross, she became the first Christian pilgrim to the Holy Land, highlighting the importance of seeking out and venerating the sacred places and objects related to the life of the Lord Christ and the lives of the saints,” the Romanian Patriarch added.

“The Holy Empress Helena was 75 years old when she went to the Holy Places, and she lived five more years before passing to the Lord. During those five years, she built three or four churches and helped many Christian communities in the Holy Land,” Patriarch Daniel recalled.

The relics of Saint Helena are accompanied in Romania by Don Gianmatteo Caputo, representative of the Patriarchate of Venice for cultural heritage and religious buildings. After the ceremony at the Patriarchal Cathedral, a short event was held at the Patriarchal Residence, where Patriarch Daniel awarded Don Gianmatteo Caputo the Order of Saints Constantine and Helena.

The pilgrimage with the saint’s relics, brought from Venice, was organized in connection with the patronal feast of Pantocrator Monastery in the Diocese of Alexandria and Teleorman, as well as the Jubilee Year of the Romanian Patriarchate.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Romanian Church had discovered the relics of two newly glorified saints.