Romania to host relics of St George from Mount Athos for first time

The relics of Saint Great Martyr George, which will be brought to Romania from Athos. Photo: Basilica

From April 22 to 28, 2026, Romania will host the relics of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victory-Bearer, which are being brought from Athos for the veneration of the faithful, Basilica.ro reports.

The shrine in question is the honorable head of St George, which will be brought from Xenophontos Monastery on the Holy Mountain of Athos to Pantocrator Monastery in Teleorman County. This is the first time this holy relic will be present on Romanian soil.

Archimandrite Alexios, abbot of Xenophontos Monastery on Athos, called on the faithful to welcome the shrine with prayer and reverence, stressing that turning to St George brings spiritual joy and blessing.

According to him, a portion of the saint’s relics – his hand – had previously been brought to Romania, but now the faithful will also be able to venerate the honorable head of the Great Martyr.

Pantocrator Monastery is expected to remain open around the clock during the relics’ stay so that all who wish may come and pray.

The bringing of the relics is timed to coincide with the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women and the monastery’s traditional annual pilgrimage, which draws thousands of faithful from across the country.

The shrine will be accompanied by a delegation from Xenophontos Monastery led by Archimandrite Alexios. During the days of the relics’ stay, services are scheduled to be held, including an all-night vigil and the Divine Liturgy with the participation of Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veria, Naousa, and Kampania.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Romanian and Serbian Orthodox faithful in Serbia held a joint cross procession.

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