Pilgrimage of Saint Parascheva 2026: medical guidelines for elderly people queuing

The pilgrimage of Saint Parascheva in Iași begins on 8 October 2026, with the largest crowds expected around 14 October. Thousands of worshippers queue for hours to reach the reliquary, and physician Tudor Ciuhodaru warns that cold weather, fatigue, lack of food, or interruption of treatment can seriously harm one's health, particularly in elderly people or those with chronic conditions.

The doctor's recommendations for pilgrims

• Warm clothing and regular movement: night-time temperatures can drop close to zero degrees, and standing motionless for long periods is risky, especially for elderly people and those with medical conditions.
• Warm fluids, no alcohol: alcohol does not protect the body from the cold, and the combination of low temperatures, fatigue, and prolonged waiting can affect people with cardiac or metabolic problems.
• Eat before joining the queue: going without food can lead to a drop in blood sugar, weakness, and even fainting, due to the hours spent standing in the cold.
• Supervision for people with psychological or psychiatric conditions: crowds and fatigue can worsen these conditions, and the presence of a companion may be necessary in cases of severe anxiety.
• Continue treatment: those with cardiac or metabolic conditions should not discontinue their daily medication simply to take part in the pilgrimage.
• Be alert to symptoms: feelings of illness should not be ignored; for minor issues, a GP can be contacted, whilst worsening symptoms require prompt medical assessment.
• Call 112 in an emergency: seeking help should not be delayed out of fear of losing one's place in the queue.

Serious cases recorded in previous years

The doctor noted that, over the years, medical teams have responded to cases of fainting, blood pressure spikes, transient ischaemic attacks, severe anxiety episodes, as well as cases of gastritis, gastric ulcers, and enterocolitis, sometimes caused by inappropriate food or failure to observe hygiene rules.

Tudor Ciuhodaru also mentioned cases with tragic outcomes: "In previous years there were even fatalities: a 61-year-old woman with heart problems lost her life whilst queuing to venerate the relics, and in 2013 another patient, a 55-year-old woman from Ploiești, could not be resuscitated."

Who is most at risk

In addition to cardiovascular problems, medical teams frequently encounter injuries such as lacerations, dislocations, and sprains, as well as digestive issues and situations related to alcohol consumption. According to the doctor, "women from rural areas aged over 55 are the most vulnerable to such conditions, yet after receiving emergency treatment they invariably ask to return to the pilgrimage." Tudor Ciuhodaru urges that health problems should not be ignored, regardless of worshippers' determination to reach the reliquary.