His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel blessed on Thursday the reliquary containing the relics of Saint Onuphrius of Sihăstria Voronei Monastery.
The blessing service took place at the “Saint George” Chapel of the Patriarchal Residence, with Archimandrite Ghedeon Huțanașu, abbot of the monastic settlement in Botoșani County, also in attendance.
His Beatitude recalled aspects of the saint’s life, noting that Saint Onuphrius was originally from Ukraine and a disciple of Saint Paisius Velichkovsky of Neamț.
“He was initially a general in the Imperial Army, and later sought monastic life, coming to the Moldavian lands where Saint Paisius of Neamț led and formed a large community of monks—almost a thousand—from over twenty countries.”
Patriarch Daniel congratulated the abbot for his substantial administrative and pastoral activity, mentioning the construction of the monastery’s central church.
As a token of gratitude, Archimandrite Ghedeon Huțanașu presented the Patriarch with an icon depicting Saint Onuphrius.
The reliquary blessed on Thursday was crafted initially two decades ago and was recently restored at the Workshops of the Romanian Patriarchate.
Saint Onuphrius of Vorona
Saint Onuphrius of Vorona, born around 1700 into Russian nobility, renounced worldly honours to live an ascetic life in Moldavia under the guidance of Elder Paisius.
He spent 25 years in solitude at Sihăstria Vorona Skete, practicing intense prayer and fasting, and was revered for his spiritual wisdom.
Before his repose, an angel guided a priest to bring him Holy Communion. After his death, miracles were attributed to his relics, including the healing of Prince Mihail Sturza’s daughter.
His relics were eventually enshrined at Sihăstria Voronei, where they remain, and he was canonised by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 2005. This year marks the 20th anniversary of his canonisation.
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Photo: Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu
