Pilgrims crowd at St. Savvas hospital to worship St. Barbara’s relics (photos + video)

Hundreds of pilgrims gathered at Saint Savvas hospital from early on Friday to worship the relics of Saint Barbara being taken to the cancer clinic on Friday. The holy relic arrived in a silver casket shortly after 10 a.m. and was greeted with pomp and ceremony, but not by Health Minister Panagiotis Kouroumblis as had been expected though right-wing anti-austerity Independent Greeks (ANEL) deputy Nikos Nikolopoulos showed up.

A church service with the relics took place behind closed doors as a flood of worshippers waited outside for the chance to say a prayer beside the relics before their return to Saint Barbara’s Church after two hours.

People of all ages came to the hospital, waiting in long lines, while a huge sign was draped by workers outside one of the balconies with the message: “Public Health for All.”

The relics of Saint Barbara are on a visit to Greece from Venice, Italy, where they have been kept since 1003. Saint Barbara one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers is a popular saint in modern times as can be seen by the huge crowds vying for a chance to worship.