The Romanian Orthodox Church celebrated on Monday, 07 December 2015, St Martyr Philotheia of Curtea de Argeş. Along with other places of worship protected by her, St Martyr Philotheia is also the spiritual protector of the Orthodox Theological Seminary of Pasărea Monastery, Ilfov County.
His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, was together with the students of the Seminary and the monastic community of Pasărea Monastery. After the Divine Liturgy, which had been officiated by His Grace Timotei of Prahova, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, surrounded by an assembly of priests and deacons, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel delivered a homily referring to the spiritual life and the mercifulness shown towards the poor by St Martyr Philotheia ever since her childhood: “She was raised in a poor family, but her mother died after she inspired her daughter with godliness towards Christ and the Church, united with mercifulness towards the poor. Her mother’s advice to be merciful remained imprinted in her soul. After her mother’s death, her father got remarried, and his wife persecuted this pious and merciful young girl. Losing his temper, her father intended to hit her, but she ran away, and her father threw his axe towards her in order to frighten her, but unfortunately the axe hit her leg and she died after a short while. Right after she died, her maiden body was illumined by a radiant light, which frightened her father. When he wanted to raise her body, it became so heavy that it could not be moved. Feeling self-reproach, the father ran to the Archbishop of Tarnovo, which is now in Bulgaria, who came together with priests and faithful wishing to see this little girl”.
After the homily, on behalf of the Romanian Patriarch, the monastics who have had senior positions in the monastery received the Commemorative Diploma “St John Chrysostom” and painted icons of the Theotokos and of their patron saints. Also, the students who had participated in the essay and presentation contest entitled Moral aspects in the works of St John Chrysostom, organized within the Seminary, received diplomas and several books. Another important event was the presentation of the launching of the commemorative volume “The light of an exemplary life – Nun Pachomia, superior of the Pasărea Monastery” (Lumina unei vieţi pilduitoare – monahia Pahomia, stareţa mănăstirii Pasărea), on her 100th anniversary since her birth.
Next, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel blessed the cross of the tomb of schemanun Philotheia, mother of St Callinicus of Cernica, the second founder of the monastery, located in the cemetery of Pasărea Monastery.
