“The life of St Elizabeth of Pasărea is one of the testimonies close to our own times through which we understand that holiness does not belong only to distant periods of Church history, but can also flourish in the world in which we live,” Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia emphasised.
The bishop celebrated the all-night Vigil service in honour of the saint at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest on Saturday evening. Her relics had been brought for veneration during the celebrations for the patronal feast of St Demetrius the New, Patron Saint of Bucharest.
Bishop Paisie highlighted the occasion’s significance on Patriarchate Hill, where the relics of both saints were present.
“We are called to approach with greater attentiveness the mystery of holiness and the gift that Christ bestows upon His Church through the saints who entrusted their entire lives to God.”
“The saints show us that God can transfigure our lives when we make room for Him in our hearts, and that His love can become a source of light, peace and spiritual strength even amid the most difficult trials,” His Grace added.
A life illuminated by holiness
Reflecting on the life of St Elizabeth of Pasărea, the Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop emphasised how she pursued holiness despite the trials she encountered.
“Her life reminds us that the attainment of salvation and holiness is not measured by the number of years spent on earth, but by the extent to which a person purifies their heart, sanctifies their life and remains steadfast in their love for God, even amid the most difficult trials.”
In this context, the bishop recalled that the Romanian Orthodox Church canonised St Elizabeth in 2025 in recognition of the example she offered.
“Through this recognition, the Church assures us that her witness did not end with her departure from this world, but continues to bear fruit.”
“When a person entrusts their life to Christ and their entire existence becomes a response to God’s love, sanctification does not remain merely a change in thoughts or feelings, but permeates the whole person,” Bishop Paisie added.
Veneration of the saints
Referring to the Orthodox practice of venerating saints and their relics, the bishop explained that St Elizabeth of Pasărea is “a testimony to the Church’s faith in the sanctification of the entire human person through God’s grace”.
“We venerate holy relics, honouring in them the work of divine grace, because the bodies of the saints have become dwelling places of the Holy Spirit, and the saints intercede for us before Christ, the Source of holiness and of all healing.”
The Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop also emphasised that the saints intercede for humanity, making pilgrimage to their relics “a search for holiness”.
“We all pray to the saints for help, for healing and for deliverance from troubles.”
“Let us thank God for the gift of His saints, because He does not leave us alone on the path to salvation and, through their prayers, grants us help and strength. And let us ask St Elizabeth of Pasărea to intercede for us before the Throne of the Most Holy Trinity,” the bishop concluded.
