Thousands of pilgrims observe traditional Pentecost at Șumuleu Ciuc in Romania

Published connected 08/06/2025 - 7:04 GMT+2•Updated 7:39

Thousands of pilgrims flocked to Șumuleu Ciuc successful Romania connected Saturday to partake successful nan liturgy for what is believed to beryllium nan biggest Catholic Pentecost arena successful Central and Eastern Europe.

Following nan centuries-old tradition, immoderate of nan religious stopped first astatine nan Franciscan cathedral to believe earlier stepping up Șumuleu Hill to nan open-air altar wherever nan wide was held.

Many of nan pilgrims who group retired a fewer weeks agone had travelled almost a 1000 kilometres connected nan Via Mariae, a belief travel that originates successful Mariazell, Austria, and follows a transverse connected nan representation of Central Europe earlier ending successful Harghita pinch nan expansive convoy of Catholic Pentecost.

The mostly declare that they believe for understanding, health, and peace.

One of nan routes, called nan Way of nan Cross, starts adjacent nan Franciscan religion and features 14 crosses symbolising nan places wherever Jesus stopped connected Golgotha.

"This is why I travel here. I judge successful nan Virgin Mary, she does miracles. And besides, it is very beautiful! 1 man said.

"Everybody from each full Europe has been coming present for hundreds and hundreds of years. And this is why I travel arsenic well. I americium very happy to travel present on pinch my full family," he added.

Another pilgrim said he came to be nan mass. "I person besides attended it successful nan past 2 years, and I for illustration it. I for illustration to spot group from Europe coming here."

The visit to Sumuleu Ciuc dates backmost 450 years and is linked to a humanities arena successful 1576, erstwhile nan prince of Transylvania, John Sigismund, tried to enforce nan Unitarian belief connected nan Roman Catholics of nan region - Secler seats of Ciuc, Gheorgheni, and Cashin— a scheme that yet failed.

Many Catholics recreation from each complete Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania for nan yearly Roman Catholic pilgrimage. The precocious Pope Francis undertook nan visit successful 2019.

According to section authorities, much than 300,000 group attended nan belief arena past year.