Romanians Flock to Venerate Saint Anne’s Relics in Bucharest

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Romanians Flock to Venerate Saint Anne’s Relics in Bucharest

Thousands of people have been queuing in Bucharest to venerate the relics of Saint Anne, who was the Virgin Mary’s mother and Christ’s grandmother

A display of the relics of St Anne, brought to Romania for the first time from Koutloumousiou Monastery on Mount Athos and placed at the New St George Church in Bucharest, is attracting thousands of people who have been queuing to venerate them.

The relics consists of part of St Anne’s foot. According to the Romanian Orthodox Church, they were brought from the Holy Land to Constantinople in the eighth century. Today, several fragments are preserved at monasteries on Mount Athos, including the right foot at Koutloumousiou.

Nicolae (R), Archimandrite of the Cutlumus Orthodox Monastery of Mount Athos, prepares to hand over the relics of Saint Anne to be placed for public worship at Saint George the New Orthodox Church in Bucharest, Romania, 05 September 2026. Photo: EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT

We are particularly happy to welcome the bringing

“We are particularly happy to welcome the bringing of the relics of St Anne, the grandmother of our Lord Jesus Christ and the mother of the Most Holy Mother of God,” Patriarch Daniel, head of the Romanian Orthodox Church, said after receiving the relics at his patriarchal residence. He described the opportunity to venerate them as “a great blessing”.

In the Orthodox calendar, St Anne is celebrated on September 9. She is traditionally regarded as a protector of families, children and motherhood. The relics will remain at the Bucharest church until September 10, with the church open daily from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., or longer if pilgrims are still waiting to enter.

Orthodox believers gather for the arrival of the relics of Saint Anne at Saint George the New Church in Bucharest, Romania, 05 September 2026. Photo: EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT

The pilgrimage is the latest example of the enduring popularity of religious devotion in predominantly Orthodox Romania. According to a survey, more than 26 per cent of Romanians have been on a pilgrimage at least once.

Nicolae (C-L), Archimandrite of the Cutlumus Orthodox Monastery of Mount Athos and Emil Nedelea Caramizaru (C-R), parish priest of the Saint George the New Orthodox Church, together with senior clergymen attend a mass inside the church before placing the relics of Saint Anne for public worship, in Bucharest, Romania, 05 September 2026. Photo: EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT

Among the most popular destinations were the tomb

Among the most popular destinations were the tomb of priest Arsenie Boca at Prislop, monasteries in Molda

The veneration of relics is particularly visible during major religious celebrations, when people queue for hours to pray before the remains of saints.

Orthodox believers worship the relics of Saint Anne inside Saint George the New Orthodox Church in Bucharest, Romania, 05 September 2026. Photo: EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT

Last year, around 250,000 people venerated the relics of St Parascheva in Iași, in eastern Romania, while more than 300,000 attended religious events held during the pilgrimage.

A poll last year found that 85 per cent of Romanians consider themselves religious, while 31 per cent said they attend church at least once a week, illustrating the continuing importance of religion in Romanian society.