Ieronymos II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, visited the Holy Church of St. Barbara where the relics of the saint are on loan in a silver casket. The earthly remains of St. Barbara, kept in Venice for the last thousand years, were transported with pomp and ceremony – accompanied by a bevy of bishops, the armed forces and a naval band – to the church bearing the saint’s name.

Arriving at the church, the archibishop refused to comment on press accounts criticizing the procession of the relics. “History will speak. These people are people of words and words have tired us, and words have brought our land to the place it is, we need reason now,” he said.

He pointed to the importance of the saint’s relics to recapitulate “our faith that the relics of saints are those that will strengthen us.” He said that the saints set standards that are missing today.

Since the arrival of the relics on Sunday, thousands of pilgrims gather daily to worship. The number is estimated to have reached 200,000 people. Taking advantage of the influx, the municipality has planned a drive to gather medical supplies and basic necessities.