Relic of St. Anna’s Hand to Visit Holy Cross Monastery

WAYNE, WV — Holy Cross Monastery will welcome the relic of the hand of Righteous Anna, the Ancestor of God, for a special visitation from Mt. Athos on Sept. 4-5.

Public veneration will begin Friday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m., with the monastery opening its doors to visitors seeking to pray before the relic. A moleben and akathist will be served at 6:30 p.m., while public veneration will continue until 8:30 p.m.

The following morning, Saturday, Sept. 5, Matins, the First Hour, and the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 7 a.m. according to the monastery’s regular schedule. The monastery has invited all who wish to attend to come and venerate the relic during the special visitation.

Righteous Anna, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos, is honored by the Church as the Ancestor of God. The relic’s visit from Mt. Athos will give the faithful in West Virginia and beyond an opportunity to venerate the saint’s hand and participate in the special services scheduled for the occasion.

Previously, the UOJ reported that relics of St. Anne were to be brought to Romania for the first time.