Last week, the Romanian delegation that brought the relics of Saint Cyprian to a parish in Cyprus witnessed the devotion that contemporary Romanian saints and venerable monastics enjoy on the island.
Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol personally spoke highly of Romanian holy monks he met at Mount Athos.
The Romanian delegation also noted that several monasteries in Cyprus feature depictions of recently canonized or soon-to-be canonized Romanian saints.
At the Monastery of St John the Forerunner of Mesa Potamos in the village of Moniatis, Saints Cleopa Ilie and Paisie Olaru of Sihăstria, as well as Dionisie Ignat of Colciu, are depicted.
In other rooms of the monastery, portraits of Venerable Dionisie Ignat and Ioan Guțu can be found. Additionally, at the “Saint Archangel Michael” Monastery in Monagri, the portraits of Athonite monks also include Saint Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery.
Sixteen Romanian confessors and monks were canonized in July by the Romanian Orthodox Church, with others who lived in Athos proposed for canonization by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Their canonization will be officially proclaimed during the Romanian Patriarchate’s centennial celebrations next year.
Saint Cleopa of Sihăstria is among the most beloved, both in Romania and abroad. His teachings and life story have been translated into ten languages.
Photo: Basilica.ro / hierodn. Nicolae Iftimiu
