For many years, the celebration titled "Iasi Feasts" is dedicated
to the purpose of promotion the spiritual, economical, social and cultural
aspects of this Moldavian city. Each year, between 8-15th of
October, the actions organized by local authorities attract a number becoming
greater and greater of tourists and pilgrims. The major event is the
celebration of Saint Parascheva, the official protector saint of the city
and of the entire Moldavia (14th of October). Saint Parascheva
relics were brought here at 13 June 1641 by Vasile Lupu Prince of
Moldavia. The religious celebration is organized by Moldavian and Bukovian
Metropolitan Church with the help of Holy Priest Daniel, the Patriarch of
Romanian Orthodox Church (elected on 12 September 2007).
During a week Iasi is the capital of Orthodox pilgrimage,
an "Orthodox Mecca" , a centre of spirituality and a place where
people confess their Christian beliefs at the Saint Parascheva relics,
placed in a silver coffin inside the Metropolitan Cathedral. People of
all social categories, from Romania or from other countries, are coming
here with piety, faith and love, for praying at Saint Parascheva and other
saints. On this occasion, every year, there are brought saints' relics from
Greece or other Christian places. In this way arrived here in 1996 the relics
of St. Andrew , the Romania's Apostle, St. Gheorghe, St. Ioan Casian,
St. Dimitrie, and in 2006 the relics of St. Nectarie from Eghina. A very special
moment is the pilgrimage called "Saints Road" when over 100
priests and religious hierarchs are walking on Iasi main streets, near the
Saints relics.
In 2006, during the religious procession and service that took place in
front of the Church of Saint Nicolas there was seen a splendid rainbow in
the sky, a shinning arch, a sort of holy ray coming from Heaven. The God's Eye
embraced all people with peace, love, understanding, hope and faith.
Iasi city is animated everywhere by all kind of activities and moments : Folk
Artisans Exhibition, organized for the first time in 2000 by Ethnographic
Museum of Moldavia, Wine Festival, Antiquities Exhibition, which is
placed on Lapusneanu street, other exhibitions, conferences, concerts with
religious music, vocal or symphonic, folk concerts in open air, sporting
contests etc. All these are part of the large programme created especially
for this annually event. The most beautiful part for pilgrims and locals is
the unique fireworks show set for the night of 14th of October.
To be part of one of the most important pilgrimage of Christian world
means to be in the centre of the Holy Grace, prayers,
faith and communion with saints.
Copyright Camelia Cristofor - Iasi, Romania, 2007
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