local canonization

Local canonization of Saint Sofian of Antim: He shone in Romania’s capital through his love and gentleness

The local proclamation of the canonization of Saint Sofian took place on Tuesday at Antim Monastery in Bucharest. On this occasion, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at an outdoor altar arranged in the courtyard of the monastery. The service was led by Archbishop Casian of the Lower Danube, together with Metropolitan Silouan of Byblos, Botris…

Sep 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Saint Sofian remembered as confessor, hesychast and iconographer at local canonization ceremony

The Romanian Orthodox Church celebrated on Tuesday the local proclamation of the canonization of Saint Sofian of Antim, a confessor of the faith during communist persecution, a hesychast spiritual father, and iconographer. On this occasion, Patriarch Daniel addressed the faithful with a special message, recalling the life and legacy of the new saint, whom Saint…

Sep 18, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel blesses reliquary ahead of local canonisation ceremony of Saint Sofian of Antim

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel blessed on Saturday the reliquary that will hold the relics of Saint Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery. The blessing service was officiated in the historic Chapel of Saint George the Great Martyr of the Patriarchal Residence, three days before the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Sofian the Confessor. On…

Sep 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

First Liturgy honouring newly canonised Bessarabian Hieromartyr Alexander Baltaga held in Călărași

The Holy Hieromartyr Alexander (Baltaga) of Bessarabia was commemorated on Friday for the first time since the local proclamation of his canonisation, in the “Saint Nicholas” Church in Călărași, the Republic of Moldova — the parish where the saint served for 54 years. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia,…

Aug 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Chișinău to hold local canonization ceremony for Bessarabian Saints Heraclius and Alexander on August 3

The local proclamation of the canonisation of Saints Heraclius and Alexander of Bessarabia will take place on August 3 in Chișinău, the Metropolis of Bessarabia has announced. The solemn event will follow the hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated at the “Holy Apostles Peter and Paul” Church in the capital of the Republic of Moldova. The local…

Jul 25, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Sihăstria Monastery invites faithful at local canonization of Saints Paisius and Cleopas

The local canonization of Saints Paisius and Cleopas will take place on August 7 at Sihăstria Monastery, Neamț County, during a series of festivities dedicated to local saints. The events will begin on August 5 with the commemoration of Saint John Jacob of Neamț. The relics of the two venerable elders were exhumed in late…

Jun 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bessarabian bishops plan Centennial celebrations, canonizations, and theological education expansion

The four hierarchs of the Metropolis of Bessarabia met on Monday in Chișinău for a working session under the chairmanship of His Eminence Metropolitan Petru. The decisions made concern the celebration of the Centennial of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, theological education in the Republic of Moldova, canonizations, and ecclesiastical distinctions. The Synod decided to organize…

Jun 17, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Sihăstria Monastery hosts exhumation of Saints Paisius and Cleopas relics in view of local canonization

The relics of Saints Paisius (Olaru) and Cleopas (Ilie) of Sihăstria were exhumed on Monday and placed in specially crafted reliquaries. The special exhumation service was officiated by Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia and Assistant Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani from the Archdiocese of Iași. The personal belongings of the two revered monks, preserved in their…

Apr 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Hieromartyr Liviu Galaction’s sainthood locally proclaimed at Cluj-Napoca Cathedral during Annunciation Feast

The local proclamation of Saint Liviu Galaction took place on Tuesday at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Cluj-Napoca. The solemn event coincided with the patronal feast of the Metropolis of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj, together with an assembly of ten hierarchs of the…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu