Patriarch Daniel, about the pilgrimage to Florii: “It is a blessing for the city and a symbol of friendship with Christ”

The Flower Pilgrimage is a blessing for the city and a symbol of people’s friendship with Christ, the patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, told the thousands of believers present on the Mitropoliie Hill on Saturday evening.

“This pilgrimage of Flowers is, as I said before, a procession in communion and a gathering in motion. A lot of parishes and monasteries gather and go in procession, forming an icon of the church communion of those who have fasted for 40 days and are preparing for the last period of the Holy Easter fast, the Week of the Holy Passions. (…) Pilgrimage is a blessing for the city and a symbol of people’s friendship with Christ. With Christ, because Lazarus is Christ’s friend and all who love Christ are Christ’s friends”, said Patriarch Daniel, in his teaching address to the participants in the Pilgrimage of Flowers, according to Agerpres.

Lazarus’ Saturday is a harbinger of Easter, but also a confession of Christ, the conqueror of death, the Patriarch pointed out.

“Because he raised Lazarus from the dead on the fourth day after death, when his body had already decayed, it shows us that the Savior Jesus Christ came to make the resurrection of Lazarus the hope of the resurrection of all people at the end of the ages. This resurrection of Lazarus hastened or accelerated the conflict between Christ the Lord and the scribes and Pharisees. Then they decided that he must die together with him and Lazarus, because the people are going astray, the Romans will occupy the country and the nation, and it is better that one man die for the whole people. This scheming of the scribes and Pharisees therefore accelerated especially after many people came to Jerusalem and Bethany (…) to see Lazarus who rose from the dead on the fourth day. This is why the Saturday of Lazarus is a prototype or prophetic icon of the public resurrection and for this reason in the apolis of any service for those who are asleep in the Lord, Saint Lazarus who rose from the dead on the fourth day is mentioned”, said Patriarch Daniel.

He recalled that the “flowers of faith and the lights of virtues” acquired during the Holy Easter Fast are symbolized by the palm branches carried by the participants in the pilgrimage and wished them “a lot of help from God”.

“The date palm is very beautiful, it reminds us of the Holy Land, but also the Romanian willow, humble and bearer of light, is also a symbol of those who fasted, prayed and shows our desire to flourish in the virtues of faith. (…) We thank all the believers participating in this pilgrimage. We pray to Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Mother of God and all the saints to bless you, to give you health and salvation, peace and joy and much help from God in the climb to the Resurrection, to the glorious celebration of the Holy Easter, after tomorrow we celebrate the Entry to the Lord in Jerusalem, or the Feast of Flowers”, concluded Patriarch Daniel.

The Archdiocese of Bucharest organized, on Saturday, the Pilgrimage of Flowers, which was attended by thousands of pilgrims – hierarchs, priests, monks, monks and lay believers from the Capital and Ilfov county -, led by the bishop-vicar of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, Timotei The Prahovean.

The pilgrimage started at the Radu Vodă Monastery and took place on the following route: Mărăşeşti Boulevard – Dimitrie Cantemir Boulevard – Unirii Square (East and North sides) – Saint Anton’s Church – Curtea Veche (first stop) – Unirii Square (West side) – Brancoveneasc Cross (second stop) – Colina Bucuriei and ended at the Patriarchal Cathedral.

Prior to the start of the pilgrimage, at the Radu Vodă Monastery, PS Timotei consecrated the willow and fennel branches, which were then offered to the faithful, and at the Patriarchal Cathedral, where the pilgrims were greeted by the Blessed Father Daniel, who consecrated the icon of the feast of “The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem”, said the blessing prayer of the pilgrims.

The Lord’s entry into Jerusalem, celebrated on April 28

Orthodox and Greek Catholic believers celebrate, on Sunday, the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem – the Flowers.

According to Church tradition, Jesus Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem is the only moment in His earthly life in which He accepted to be hailed as King. This time, he prepares his own entrance, according to the prophecies of the Old Testament, so that he will be recognized according to the law as the Messiah, the Savior of the world. The people welcome Jesus with palm and olive branches, shouting: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord’. Through these words, people felt that God himself had come into the world to bring its salvation. Entering Jerusalem as King, Jesus anticipates His imminent victory over death, as well as the victory of all humanity that He carried within Himself.

On Florii, people go to church to consecrate willow branches that they put on windows, doors or gates. In some parts of the country, the inhabitants of the villages burn themselves with willow branches across the middle. The belief says that this ritual protects them from diseases and makes them more robust. It also defends the house from evil and protects it from unpleasant events.

The willow branches that are distributed in the church on Palm Sunday symbolize the palm branches with which the crowds in Jerusalem greeted Jesus.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the last week of Easter Lent, called Passion Week, in which Christians prepare to welcome the great celebration of the Resurrection of the Savior Jesus Christ.

Publisher: CLB