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# Holy Cross Welcomes Incorrupt Relics of Gerasimos of Abydos
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/holy-cross-welcomes-relics-of-venerable-gerasimos-of-abydos/
- Published: 2026-10-12T13:06:32.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-12T14:48:46.000Z
- Description: Hellenic College Holy Cross welcomed the relics of Bp. Gerasimos in a historic ceremony honoring his enduring spiritual legacy.
- Author: Tobias Straney
- Tags: #Category: News, Hellenic College Holy Cross, Archbishop Elpidophoros (Lambriniadis), Met. Savas of Pittsburgh, Relics

**BROOKLINE, MA —** Hundreds of faithful gathered at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology on October 10, 2026, for the [historic translation](https://orthodoxobserver.org/historic-translation-of-the-sacred-relic-of-the-venerable-gerasimos-bishop-of-abydos-at-hellenic-college-holy-cross/) of the relics of Gerasimos, Bishop of Abydos. The ceremony, presided over by Abp. Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and joined by Metr. Savas of Pittsburgh, brought the relics from the hierarch’s gravesite into Holy Cross Chapel for public veneration for the first time.

The observance coincided with what would have been Bp. Gerasimos’ 116th birthday, more than 30 years after his repose on June 12, 1995\. Before the ceremony, clergy, former students, and seminarians gathered for a panel discussion recalling his ministry as a Scripture professor, spiritual father, and mentor whose example continues to shape generations of Orthodox Christians.

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/10/Unknown-300-1.jpg)On this topicFragment of St. John the Baptist’s Body Returns to Constantinople After 822 Years](https://uoj.news/news/fragment-of-st-john-the-baptists-body-returns-to-constantinople-after-822-years/)

Following memorial prayers at his gravesite, the relics were transferred to the chapel, where Abp. Elpidophoros and Metr. Savas, assisted by clergy who had known the hierarch, vested them in new hierarchical vestments. A solemn procession followed, culminating in the faithful’s opportunity to venerate the relics.

![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/10/F003A545-62D3-451F-93CB-B0E3AA68BDE9-1.JPG)

![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/10/IMG_1065.JPG)

![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/10/IMG_1058.jpg)

Photos (first two): Aristomenis Papadimitriou/X, (last photo) Orthodox Observer

"The presence of Metropolitan Savas carried particular personal and spiritual significance," the Orthodox Observer reported. "His Eminence was the priest who administered Holy Communion to Bishop Gerasimos shortly before his blessed repose in 1995, and now, more than thirty years later, stood alongside the Archbishop to honor his memory and participate in the translation of his sacred relic."

Abp. Elpidophoros described the event through Christ’s image of a lamp brought into the light, declaring that Bishop Gerasimos’ spiritual legacy had never been extinguished. The observance represents a local recognition of his holiness, not a formal canonization, which remains the prerogative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Following his retirement from the episcopacy in 1977, Bp. Gerasimos lived a simple life in one of the dormitories at the seminary, where he worked as a professor and remained as a source of spiritual wisdom for the students and wider community.

One story of his sanctity was told of a five-year old boy who came with his parents to the Holy Cross Chapel. He excitedly told his mother*:* “Mother, I want to come here for Church, where that elderly pappou is celebrating.” “Why?”asked his mother? “Because during the Liturgy I could see a beautiful light on his head.”

An apolytikion has also been published by the archdiocese:

**Apolytikion – Mode pl. 1**

*God-inspired professor and teacher of the Faith and the spiritual life to the Orthodox who live in America, O grace-filled Gerasimos, we salute you as a Christ-centered, humble hierarch who loved the all-holy Gospel. We pray, implore Christ our Savior to have mercy and to save us all.*

![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/10/IMG_1061.WEBP)

Bp. Gerasimos of Abydos. Photo: acrod.org

Previously, the [UOJ reported](https://uoj.news/news/ecumenical-patriarchate-welcomes-greece-bulgaria-agreement-on-return-of-relics/) that the Ecumenical Patriarchate welcomed the Greece-Bulgaria agreement on the return of relics.