His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel blessed on Wednesday the reliquaries designated for the holy relics of Saints Paisius (Olaru) and Cleopas (Ilie) of Sihăstria.
The blessing service took place at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest, in the presence of Archimandrite Arsenie Popa, abbot of Sihăstria Monastery in Neamț County.
The reliquaries were crafted from silver at the Workshops of the Romanian Patriarchate.
“These two reliquaries were prepared for the two venerable elders from Sihăstria, Paisius Olaru and Cleopas Ilie. They are intended for the local proclamation of their canonization, which will take place this year on August 7th at Sihăstria Monastery,” explained Patriarch Daniel.
His Beatitude noted that the two monastics were great confessors of the faith and spiritual guides.
“These reliquaries will be taken to the monastery and will house the holy relics of the two venerable saints, who were outstanding confessors of the faith, spiritual fathers, and guides for thousands of pilgrims. During the communist regime, many came to the monastery to pray, confess, and receive spiritual counsel.”
Saints Loved by the People
Patriarch Daniel noted that Saints Paisius and Cleopas were contemporaries and greatly loved by the faithful.
“They were contemporary saints and are deeply beloved by the people. Therefore, the local proclamation of their canonization will be a special event. On this occasion, we will delegate the Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești to represent us at Sihăstria, since he was born in the Botoșani area, just like Elders Paisius and Cleopas, and he used to confess to them during seminary.”
His Beatitude recalled that Sihăstria Monastery was home to many gifted monks:
“One was gifted in iconography—Father Vartolomeu Florea; another in publishing—Father Ioanichie Bălan; but in spiritual guidance, the most gifted were Elder Paisius and Elder Cleopas, who was also a great preacher.”
Saint Paisius Olaru is considered one of the greatest hesychasts of the 20th century.
“This became evident during the exhumation of their remains, when the sweet fragrance from their relics spread not only around the grave but throughout the entire cemetery at Sihăstria. Father Paisius was extremely humble and discreet, resembling the 14th-century Athonite hermits and the 18th-century hesychasts from the time of Saint Paisius Velichkovsky of Neamț.”
Patriarch Daniel also thanked Archimandrite Dionisie Constantin, coordinator of the Patriarchal Workshops, and Archimandrite Ciprian Grădinaru, who helped facilitate the donation of the reliquaries.
As a token of gratitude, the monastic community of Sihăstria Monastery gifted Patriarch Daniel an icon depicting Saints Paisius and Cleopas of Sihăstria.
Photo: Lumina Newspaper / Mihnea Păduraru
