The relics of Saint Antonina of Tismana were uncovered on Monday during a solemn rite at Tismana Monastery, with Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia saying the newly canonised saint “lived a truly holy and spiritual life, preserving her silence and purity.”
His Eminence underscored the significance of the moment: “With God’s help, we are fulfilling the blessed rite for this Holy Venerable Mother, to raise from the depths of the earth and place in a reliquary for veneration Saint Antonina.”
“Saint Antonina is now in the condition of a glorified saint in the Kingdom of God. From today, we shall no longer pray for her, but the saint will pray to God for us,” the Metropolitan of Oltenia said.
He also stressed the saint’s deep connection to the monastery’s spiritual tradition: “Saint Antonina is a saint of our monastery, a blessed shoot of this monastery, of Saint Nicodemus and Saint Gerasimus.”
“From Saint Antonina, we have recognised the virtue of humility and obedience. She was a humble image, an image of God, caring for the immortal soul. Her labour in the monastery became a crown of virtue, as she attended to the lowliest tasks in the monastery’s work. She repented constantly, remained ever in prayer, and cared deeply for the spiritual life,” he added.
Saint Antonina of Tismana
Saint Antonina of Tismana was born on 7 March 1923 in Runcu, Vâlcea County, to Ispas and Maria Diaconu, receiving at Baptism the name Ilinca. She had two brothers and one sister.
In 1950, she entered the sisterhood of Tismana Monastery. Throughout her life, she fulfilled her obedience in the monastery household, her cell being next to the pigsty outside the monastery walls. For this reason, she was often unable to attend the night services, finding the monastery gates already locked.
She lived a deeply spiritual life marked by unceasing prayer, fasting and vigil, concealing her virtues beneath outward simplicity.
She reposed in the Lord on 23 December 2011 and was canonised by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church in 2025, with her feast appointed for 23 December.
The uncovering of her relics marks a significant moment in the veneration of one of Romania’s newly glorified saints.
Photo: Metropolis of Oltenia
