Schema-nuns Olimpiada and Nazaria, the founding mothers of Văratec Monastery in Neamț County, were commemorated on Monday during a monastic synaxis. The two venerable nuns are among several saintly Romanian women proposed for canonization in 2026.
His Grace Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani, Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Iași, participated in the gathering and offered a brief historical account of the monastery.
A Spiritual Legacy
“The monastery was founded in 1785, a year marked by turmoil and upheaval in the world. By 1789, the French Revolution would erupt, shaking many values,” said Assistant Bishop Nichifor.
“And yet, in Romania, monasteries were being established under the guidance of spiritual fathers like Saint Paisius Velichkovsky and Saint Joseph the Hesychast.”
“This shows us that God has His faithful in every age—just as in the time of Elijah, men who did not bow to Baal. And when I say ‘men,’ I mean both men and women with courageous souls, strong in faith, who know why they enter a monastery, why they live, and what they are prepared to die for.”
“Those we now remember and hold dear in our hearts become a starting point, an act of courage, and a legacy. And that legacy is also a charism, one we are called to rekindle within our souls,” he added.
240 Years Since the First Church Was Built
The lives and legacy of Schema-nuns Olimpiada and Nazaria were evoked by Mother Iosefina Giosanu, Abbess of Văratec Monastery, along with nuns Anatolia Bălăiță and Nectaria Prepeliță, who conducted both spiritual and historical research on the monastery’s founders.
“Our meeting marks the 240th anniversary of the building of the first wooden church, and commemorates the first two abbesses—Schema-nuns Nazaria and Olimpiada,” Mother Iosefina said.
“Their worthiness lies not only in the physical founding of the monastery but in the vessel of deep spiritual life they left behind, preserved with reverence by generations of devoted nuns—each striving with greater faith, love, and zeal for their salvation.”
“Among them are many souls who are now recognized as saints or proposed for canonization, and others who, in the sight of the Lord, were sanctified in secret, without our knowledge,” she added.
2026 Commemorative Year of Holy Women
The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church approved during its session on March 27, 2025, the beginning of the canonization process for several Romanian holy women in the context of 2026 being declared the Commemorative Year of Holy Women (Myrrhbearers, Martyrs, Ascetics, Wives, and Mothers) and the Solemn Year for Christian Family Ministry.
The Archdiocese of Iași submitted canonisation proposals for 2026, including Schema-nuns Olimpiada and Nazaria and Venerable Mavra of Ceahlău.
Photo: Doxologia.ro / Mihail Vrăjitoru
