The Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle, the First-Called, Patron Saint of Romania and autumnal patronal feast of the National Cathedral, was celebrated on Sunday through a solemn spiritual program held at the new Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest.
A day of liturgical celebration
The celebration began at dawn with the services of Midnight Office, Matins, and the Hours, followed by the Divine Liturgy, which was officiated by Their Graces the Auxiliary Bishops Varlaam of Ploiești, Paisie of Sinai, and Timotei of Prahova.
On this occasion, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel delivered the homily, speaking about the apostolic mission of Saint Andrew in Dobrogea and emphasising that the faith he entrusted to the ancestors of the Romanian people has been preserved unchanged to this day.
“The consecration of the site for the new Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest took place on November 29, 2007, on the eve of the feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle. And in 2011, when the holy head of Saint Andrew was brought in pilgrimage to Bucharest (October 25–28) for the feast of Saint Demetrius the New, the foundation of the new Cathedral was encircled as a sign of blessing for the beginning of its construction,” Patriarch Daniel recalled.
A historical connection to the National Cathedral
His Beatitude also evoked the 2018 Centennial Year of Greater Romania, when the Holy Altar of the National Cathedral was consecrated, and the right hand of Saint Andrew was brought from Patras by Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras.
“At that time, we said: The head of Saint Andrew envisioned the Cathedral, and his hand helped us raise it and consecrate the Altar. Therefore, we rejoice deeply every time we commemorate Saint Andrew, and each time we see the National Cathedral under his protection,” Patriarch Daniel told the thousands of faithful present.
Veneration and communion
Beginning at 7:00am, the reliquary containing the holy relics of Saint Andrew was placed under the open porch of the National Cathedral, near the mosaic icon of the Apostle, allowing pilgrims to venerate it throughout the day. The relics remained available for veneration until 7:00pm.
Thousands of believers participated in the feast of the Cathedral’s autumn patronage in an atmosphere marked by devotion, prayer, and unity.
The National Cathedral is dedicated to two feasts: Saint Andrew the Apostle and the Ascension of the Lord.
Source & Photographs: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu
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