Moleben in Honour of Saint Erasmus at St Peter’s Basilica

On 23 October 2026, a moleben (prayer service) in honour of Saint Erasmus of Ohrid was held in St Peter’s Basilica, at the altar dedicated to him. The service was presided over by Metropolitan Georgij of Debar-Kičevo of the Orthodox Church - Archbishopric of Ohrid (North Macedonia).

Present at the celebration were diplomatic representatives of North Macedonia accredited to the Holy See and the Italian Republic, as well as representatives of the Eparchy of Debar-Kičevo.

Saint Erasmus, a bishop and martyr of the early centuries of Christianity, is venerated in both the Eastern and Western Christian traditions. According to tradition, the Saint carried out an important evangelising mission in the ancient city of Lychnidos, present-day Ohrid, where devotion to him remains deeply rooted.

The celebration in the Vatican Basilica was a significant expression of the shared Christian heritage and of the veneration of saints common to both the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.