The relics of Saint Olympias of Fărcașa, mother of Saint Petronius of Prodromos Skete on Mount Athos, were uncovered on Monday in Fărcașa, Neamț County, Romania.
The event took place in the presence of His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe, His Grace Assistant Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani from the Archdiocese of Iași, Archimandrite Petroniu Marin, Exarch of the Monasteries in the Neamț region, and the saint’s grandchildren.
Following the uncovering of the relics, a prayer service was held at Saint Nicholas Parish Church in the village, after which Bishop Nichifor spoke about the saint’s life.
“She possessed this firm anchor — the Orthodox faith — which accompanied her throughout her life and which she passed on to her eight children. Among them was Saint Petronius, glorified among the saints before her, who himself bore witness to the righteous life of his mother,” the hierarch recalled.
“A strong woman, physically robust, she also proved to possess a strong soul, a soul tested not because she lamented having many children, but because she understood how to live her life with diligence — bodily diligence, caring for the animals in the household, taking up the scythe herself, and preparing the charitable offerings she distributed every Saturday.”
“But she was strong not only in body, but also in spirit, because she cared equally for the word of prayer, the word of faith, and for bringing joy to others,” His Grace added.
“Today we found her bones just as we expected, and because her body was a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, we venerate her remains as holy relics. From her holy relics, we pray to receive strength and wisdom through their touch, so that we, too, may steadfastly carry our lives to the end as she did. And when sufferings come upon our own bodies, just as she endured them for three years, may we pass through them with the same courage, self-sacrifice, and faith,” Bishop Nichifor concluded.
The righteous Olimpiada Tănase was canonised by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church during its session on 1 July 2025, with her feast day established for 4 July. Alongside her, another 15 Romanian women of holy life were also canonised.
The general proclamation of their canonisation took place on 6 February 2026 at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest.
On Sunday, the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Blandina of Iași took place at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iași.
Photo: Doxologia.ro / Fr. Silviu Cluci
