His Eminence Hon Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Târgoviște and patriarchal exarch, said on Friday at Pasărea Monastery that the canonisation of sixteen Romanian holy women demonstrates that holiness begins within the family.
The hierarch celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Pasărea Monastery on the occasion of the local proclamation of the canonisation of St Philothea of Pasărea and St Elizabeth of Pasărea.
Concelebrating with His Eminence were Archbishop Calinic of Argeș and Muscel, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishops Varlaam of Ploiești and Paisie of Sinaia, as well as Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova from the Bucharest Archdiocese.
St Philothea and St Elisabeth of Pasărea
“Today we honour St Philothea of Pasărea, mother of St Callinicus of Cernica, a luminous figure of Romanian hesychast spirituality, a gift forever offered to our nation, who profoundly renewed the spiritual life of his time.”
The archbishop recalled that St Philothea entered monastic life at Pasărea Monastery after being widowed and later became a schema-nun.
“The example of her holy life has remained alive and powerful in the consciousness of the people, being admired and followed by countless sons and daughters of our nation throughout the centuries.”
“St Philothea is a model for all Christian mothers, showing that education in the faith is the greatest inheritance a child can receive. The Church shows us that holiness begins in the family, in the home where prayer is alive and love is active.”
Archbishop Nifon also highlighted the life of St Elizabeth of Pasărea, describing her as a remarkable example of goodness and holiness who lived an intense ascetic struggle and prayer.
Models of Holy Living
The honorary metropolitan said that Saints Philothea and Elizabeth of Pasărea are outstanding examples of holy life in Christ and are among the 16 Romanian holy women canonised in 2025.
“They constitute important spiritual landmarks of holiness and moral integrity within Romanian Orthodoxy, showing us, as Patriarch Daniel of Romania has said, that they are true spiritual mothers of the Romanian people.”
Hon Metropolitan Nifon stressed that the lives of the women canonised last year remain enduring examples for people living in contemporary society.
“These saints truly show us that the Christian woman is a pillar of the family, a source of gentleness, a support for the community and an image of merciful love.”
At the conclusion of his homily, the archbishop encouraged the faithful to pray to Saints Elizabeth and Philothea of Pasărea.
The solemn local proclamation of their canonisation followed the Divine Liturgy.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene
