Assistant Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani, from the Archdiocese of Iași, emphasized that the day the relics of Saints Paisius (Olaru) and Cleopas (Ilie) of Sihăstria were uncovered “will remain for us not only a historic day but one deeply engraved in our souls—a day on which we all witnessed how God works on earth even in times of human frailty.”
“A day of consolation, because—as you all saw—the earth was damp and water had saturated the bones and coffins of the two elders. And yet, when we lifted them from the ground, the entire cemetery was filled with a sweet fragrance,” the bishop added.
His Grace, alongside Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia, presided over the religious rite of exhumation for the two saints’ relics on Monday.
“This joy must be received within our hearts—a sacred joy—so that we too may proclaim, just as we do in the church: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from Thee, the Father of lights, and to Thee we give glory.”
“This glory was both witnessed and received by the two fathers, being sanctified and becoming themselves bearers of this glory. We all testify to it, and I thank all of you who have come with reverence and piety to share in this moment with us,” Assistant Bishop Nichifor highlighted.
He went on to praise the rich spiritual legacy of the Sihăstria monastic community.
“May the Good Lord help us, with this strengthening in our hearts, to return home more steadfast and to bear witness to what we have seen with our own eyes: bones lifted from the grave, which we discovered to be fragrant, grace-filled relics,” concluded His Grace.
Photo: Doxologia.ro / Oana Nechifor
