This Saturday, 20 September 2014, the relics of Saint Martyr Prince Constantine Brancoveanu were brought to the Archiepiscopal Cathedral of the “Ascension of the Lord” of Buzau, by a delegation headed by His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The shrine was met by the clergy and faithful of Buzau with military honour, after they had received in the morning the icon of the Mother of God Hodighitria from Dalhauti Monastery.
Then, the Patriarch of Romania and His Eminence Ciprian, Archbishop of Buzau and Vrancea celebrated the doxology service together with the other hierarchs invited.
His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasised in the sermon delivered the model of the Brancovean Saints of steady sacrificial love for the Church and for the Romanian people.
“Among the martyrs during the Ottoman domination we have some ordinary people as Saint John the Wallachian, a young man who did not want to give up his Christian Orthodox faith, as well as a prince martyr together with his four sons, namely Saint Constantine Brancoveanu beheaded at Constantinople 300 years ago, just on his birthday, 15 August, which was the feast of the Falling Asleep of the Mother of God, of Virgin Mary, too. Thus, Saint Prince Constantine and his four sons, Constantine, Stefan, Radu and Matei and counsellor Ianache are a sacrifice for confessing the faith and dignity of the Romanian people. We learn, from the Brancovean Saints not only the devotion, but also the dignity not to betray one’s own people, the values of faith, and the interest of the nation. Saint Constantine Brancoveanu is, first of all, a great Romanian ruler. In 25 years he developed the country so that she was very respected and he has become a very influential man in a very difficult geographic position, between three antagonist empires, so that he had to move with much wisdom not endanger the country”, His Beatitude said.
His Eminence Ciprian, Archbishop of Buzau and Vrancea thanked for the benefits received.
“The clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese of Buzau and Vrancea, and especially those of Buzau residential city meet you with much emotion and holy joy, thanking you for having made us a great joy bringing the relics of Saint Martyr Prince Constantine Brancoveanu to the Archiepiscopal Cathedral of Buzau to be prayed to and venerated by the Christian faithful of this Eparchy. We are sure that God is with us, that He helps us, and so we thank you with gratitude for the great joy you made us having brought the holy relics here for veneration”, His Eminence said.
To end with, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel offered icons of Saint Constantine Brancoveanu for the Archiepiscopal Palace and for the Brancovean church of the “Falling Asleep of the Mother of God”. His Beatitude has also received one icon of Saint Martyr Sava from Buzau on behalf of His Eminence Ciprian.
Monday, 22 September 2014, the relics of the Brancovean Saints Martyrs will be taken to Brazi Monastery, on the occasion of the consecration of the big church of the monastic settlement.
