Saint Irodion was commemorated on Sunday at Lainici Monastery, on the Jiu Valley, Romania, which he led as abbot for 41 years.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia, together with Archbishop Varsanufie of Râmnic, and Bishops Nicodim of Severin and Strehaia, Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia, Sebastian of Slatina and Romanați, and Siluan of Hungary.
In his homily, Metropolitan Irineu underlined the divine work accomplished through Saint Irodion:
“Our Lord Jesus Christ works in the Church through His saints. Saint Irodion is a healer and wonderworker. By praying to Saint Irodion, venerating his icons and kissing his holy relics, we receive blessing from God.”
“We must call upon the saints to intercede for us. Let us have courage and hope in our sufferings, praying to the saints that God may heal us. We ask Saint Irodion to grant that we return to our homes with heavenly gifts and blessings,” the Metropolitan added.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the Synod of the Metropolis of Oltenia convened, during which several decisions concerning the current ecclesiastical and administrative life of the dioceses were discussed and approved.
Saint Irodion of Lainici
Saint Irodion was born in 1821 in Bucharest, receiving the name Ioan at Baptism. At around 20, he entered monastic life at Cernica Monastery, drawn by hesychast spirituality under the guidance of Saint Callinicus of Cernica.
After Saint Callinicus became Bishop of Râmnic, he took Irodion with him and appointed him abbot of the Lainici Skete.
Through his ascetic life and prayer, Saint Irodion became a wonderworker even during his lifetime, known for his gift of casting out unclean spirits.
He reposed in the Lord on 3 May 1900 and was canonised by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 2011.
Photo: Oltenia Metropolis
