Suceava holds first procession with relics of Sts. Menas and Matrona
The Romanian Orthodox parish of St. Menas organized its first procession, "In the Footsteps of the Holy Healers," with the relics of St. Menas and Blessed Matrona the Blind.
On the evening of November 9, 2026, Romanian Orthodox faithful in Suceava, Romania, took part in a procession carrying the relics of St. Menas and Blessed Matrona the Blind. The procession, titled "In the Footsteps of the Holy Healers," was held for the first time, Basilica reports.
The event was organized by the Parish of the Holy Great Martyr Menas in Suceava's Obcini neighborhood to mark its patronal feast. Bishop Damaschin of Dorna, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți, also participated.
The procession began at the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at Suceava's New Hospital. From there, the faithful walked through the city streets to the Church of St. Menas. Alongside the relics, participants carried an icon of the Mother of God, "Seeking the Lost," brought from Darvari Skete in Bucharest. According to the report, several hundred people joined the procession.
A particularly significant moment was the first-ever transfer of a portion of Blessed Matrona the Blind's relics outside the Bucharest monastery where they are kept.
Fr. Ciprian Blaga of St. Menas Parish encouraged the faithful to take home "something of the light of this evening." He emphasized that sincere prayer never goes unnoticed by God.
The relics of Blessed Matrona and the icon will remain at the church for veneration until Wednesday, alongside the relics of the church's patron saint.
As the UOJ previously reported, Blessed Matrona of Moscow was born blind and became known for her gift of spiritual insight. The Church commemorates the Holy Great Martyr Menas on November 11.
