The Lord’s entry into Jerusalem, celebrated in Suceava with a service and procession –

On Palm Sunday, at the “Saint John the New” Monastery in Suceava, the faithful gathered to remember the moment of Jesus Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem, an event that united both the clergy and the people. On the eve of the holiday, a procession dedicated to this important holiday for Christianity took place in the streets of the municipality. The event, organized with the blessing of the Archbishop of Calinic, brought together clergy, county and local officials, together with many believers.

His Holiness Father Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuțil, officiated the Holy Liturgy, surrounded by priests and deacons. The “Holy Great Martyr John the New” and “Dimitrie Suceveanu” choirs embellished the liturgy with their voices. The moment of communion was accompanied by a word of teaching from priest Constantin Ciprian Blaga, who emphasized the significance of the Gospel for that day.

His Holiness Father Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuți

“Between the Saturday of Lazarus and the Sunday of the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem, there is an essential connection. And this reality is valid only in the case of the Orthodox Church. Because the Orthodox Church is the only church that celebrates Lazarus Saturday, marking the spiritual significance of this miracle. Incidentally and the impressive ceremonial Flower of Constantinople, you can imagine what an amazing sight. Endless lines of priests and imperial officials, going to the church carrying, as at Easter, crosses, candles, and palm branches, decorated with flowers, while they sang on their way to the church, the troparion, the common resurrection, before the entrusting your passion, you raised Lazarus from the dead, Christ God.”

The faithful received willow branches and icons, which represent the royal holiday, offered at the reliquary with the relics of the Holy Great Martyr John the New, protector of Bucovina. The day before, during a service at the Nativity Cathedral in Suceava, the Most Reverend Father Damaschino Dornea led the Vespers of Flowers and blessed the branches, which were then distributed to the faithful.
The procession then started towards the Archbishop’s Cathedral in Suceava, the Monastery of St. John the New, accompanied by the icon of the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem. Monks, young people in folk costumes, members of local religious organizations and students were among the participants.

This year’s flower pilgrimage took place in all the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuţi, in all the municipalities of Suceava County. This Flower Pilgrimage, even if it is a smaller one compared to the one that takes place on the eve of the celebration of the Shrine of the Archbishop’s Cathedral of the Monastery of St. John the New in Suceava, is a pilgrimage that invites the faithful to the joy of welcoming and guiding the Savior in His entrance in Jerusalem. The route included stops at two churches and ended at the Monastery of Saint John the New, where Archbishop Calinic offered prayers and spoke about the meaning of the tradition.

Similar processions took place in other deaneries in the area. The faithful were invited to participate in the bishop’s liturgy and the mystery of the Holy Olive on the following day, to receive grace and forgiveness.