Relics of Saint Arsenius Possibly Found in Suzdal Cathedral

From interfax-religion.com

16 September 2005, 16:50

Church of Greece asks the Diocese of Vladimir and Suzdal to return relics of St. Arseny

Vladimir, September 16, Interfax - The Greek Orthodox Church asked the Diocese of Vladimir and Suzdal to return the relics of the Greek saint Arseny Elasson, the Diocese reported to Interfax Friday.

The interviewee of the agency says that the Greek Church has already asked to help find the relics of the Greek saint.

‘Greek clerics assumed that Arseny, a Greek by birth, was buried in the Suzdal Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God. According to historical description, his burial place is located near the south column of the cathedral. Special commission was established and archeological excavations were held with the blessing of the hierarch’, the Diocesan source says.

Indeed, certain relics were found and moved to the sanctuary of the cathedral while their particles were sent to Greece for expertise.

St. Arseny was born in Greece in 1550. Before coming to Russia he was archbishop of Elasson. He became archbishop of Suzdal and Tarusa in 1615 and was buried in the Suzdal Cathedral ten years later. The Orthodox Church canonized him as a Suzdal saint as he had a gift of healing sick children. Prayer services for sick children were conducted upon his relics.

‘Arseny Elasson wrote in the Greek language. His notes are very important for Russian and Greek history’, the Diocesan source stated.