The Metropolis of Bessarabia held the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Blandina the Confessor of Iași at the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Chișinău on Saturday.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia together with Archbishop Casian of the Lower Danube, Bishops Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia, Visarion of Tulcea, Ieronim of Dacia Felix, and Assistant Bishops Nichifor of Botoșani of the Archdiocese of Iași and Teofil of Trotuș of the Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău.
The event brought together hierarchs, clergy and numerous faithful from both sides of the Prut River. On this occasion, the saint’s relics were brought out for veneration.
At the end of the service, the Synodal Tomos proclaiming the local veneration of Saint Blandina of Iași in the Metropolis of Bessarabia was read by Assistant Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani.
Archbishop Casian, Patriarch Daniel’s delegate, delivered the patriarchal message marking the important ecclesiastical event for Bessarabia.
She remained steadfast in faith
Metropolitan Petru highlighted the deep connection between Saint Blandina the Confessor and the land of Bessarabia, saying that her life and sufferings closely reflect the experience and history of the region’s people.
“She understands the sufferings of this nation because she herself bore them.”
“She knew fear, deprivation, exile and injustice, yet remained steadfast in faith,” the Metropolitan said.
His Eminence noted that, through these experiences, Saint Blandina became a model of steadfast faith.
“For Bessarabia, she becomes a figure close to the hearts of the people, an intercessor who knows the pain of this land and who calls us to patience, courage and the confession of truth.”
Saint Blandina was canonised by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church on 1 July 2025, together with 15 other Romanian women recognised for their holy lives. The general proclamation of their canonisation took place at the Patriarchal Cathedral on 6 February, while the local proclamation in Iași was held on 17 May.
Saint Blandina the Confessor of Iași
Saint Blandina the Confessor of Iași was born on 24 February 1906 in Grușeuți, Hotin County, in Bessarabia, into the family of Fr Zaharia and Presbytera Serafima Popovici.
After completing her pedagogical studies, she became a teacher and married engineer Gheorghe Gobjilă in 1926. The couple had one son, Vladislav. Her life, however, was profoundly marked by the dramatic events following the Soviet occupation of Bessarabia.
In 1940, the entire family was deported to Siberia, where they endured years of suffering and hardship. After approximately 15 years in exile, she arrived in Romania in 1957. Later, faced with opposition to her faith from members of her own family, she was forced to choose between family life and fidelity to God, remaining steadfast in her faith.
After settling in Iași, Saint Blandina lived a discreet life dedicated to prayer. She regularly attended the Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași, where she became known for translating and transcribing prayer texts and for helping those in need. She reposed in the Lord on 24 May 1971.
Photo: Archdiocese of Roman and Bacau
