Speaking about the recent canonizations by the Romanian Church, Bishop Justin of Maramureș and Sătmar said that only clerics have been canonized so far, but other categories of people will follow.
“Many are saints. We cannot include them all in the calendar,” said the bishop. “Those included in the calendar are at the forefront of the ranks of saints,” His Grace clarified on Sunday at Saint Andrew Monastery in Chilia, Satu Mare County.
“The time will come when the Holy Synod will also consider cultural personalities, people of culture, great genius writers, and confessors in communist prisons, some who even died, and others who bore witness, such as Father Nicolae from Rohia – Nicolae Steinhardt – and they will be on another list and included among the Saints so that we may have representatives from all categories.”
“This time, only clerics were included: spiritual fathers, parish priests, and professors. Christian intellectuals, great confessors, and some women must also be included among the Saints because there were strong female confessors who suffered greatly in communist prisons, and surely a few great Christian women of our nation and mothers of our Romanian nation will be on this list,” said Bishop Justin.
The saints are far more numerous than those who appear in the calendars. Canonization represents just an official act of recognizing the saintliness of specific individuals, following thorough research based on existing evidence and testimonies, popular veneration, and many other aspects. After canonization, the Church venerates and presents the saints as models and intercessors to God.
On July 11-12, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church canonized several saints, including Archimandrites Sofian Boghiu and Cleopa Ilie, Priest Dumitru Stăniloae, and Elder Arsenie Boca, among others.
See the complete list with the titles, feast dates, and icons of the new saints.
Photo: Facebook / Diocese of Maramureș and Sătmar
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