Big Ekumenische Celebration: Cross relic in Vienna!

Big Ekumenische Celebration: Cross relic in Vienna!

Wien, Österreich - The cross relic von Heiligenkreuz Abbey will be revered on March 22nd and 23rd in the Vienna Greek Orthodox Trinity Cathedral, an important ecumenical event under the motto "Ecumenism in the Substances of the Cross". This happens on the occasion of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea and falls together with the Holy Year of Hope 2025. The transfer of the relic, which begins on March 22nd at 4:30 p.m. with a Latin choir prayer in the Bernardi chapel, symbolizes the close relationships between the Cistercian Order and the Greek Orthodox Church in Austria, such as the information service "Pro Oriente ”reports.

The cross reliquary itself has a long and venerable story. It comes from Duke Leopold V, who brought a piece of the Holy Cross from Jerusalem in 1182 and donated it to the monastery. This impressive relic, which is considered the largest north of the Alps, is often worshiped by believers who pilgrimage to the Heiligenkreuz Abbey, such as "https://www.stift-heiligenkreuz.org/geschichte-und-spiritualitaet/die-kreuzreliquie/" target = "_ blank"> Stift-heiligenkreuz . On Sunday, March 23, the relic will remain in the cathedral until morning, where the orthodox believers celebrate the "Sunday of the cross worship", which further underlines the importance of this relic.

festivities and services

The way to the Trinity Cathedral is committed with a procession of the Heiligenkreuzer monks and the Greek Orthodox community under the direction of Metropoliti Arsenios (Kardamakis). An Orthodox Vespers takes place at 5 p.m., followed by an ecumenical cross -globe at 6:30 p.m., which is celebrated with Gregorian and Byzantine chants. The relic itself is a symbol of the community of beliefs and the collaboration between the churches, since similar celebrations have already taken place in the past, as in 2016, kathpress.at .