Modern-day saints

Relics of soon-to-be canonised Romanian Athonite Elder exhumed

The Patriarch of Romania delegated Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova to attend the exhumation ceremony of the relics of Elder Dionisie Ignat, which took place at St George Cell of Colciu Skete on Mount Athos last week. The monks of Vatopedi Monastery, on whose territory the cell where Father Dionisie Ignat lived, unearthed the relics…

Nov 22, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Fr Dumitru Stăniloae remembered at his tomb: He said you can meet God in the reality of your life

At Cernica Monastery, a memorial service for Father Dumitru Stăniloae was held on Wednesday, marking 29 years after his blessed repose. Fr. Gheorghe Holbea, a professor at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest, presided over the memorial service with a number of hieromonks at the Monastery’s Church of St. Nicholas. Additionally, attendees prayed at…

Oct 7, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Oltenia Metropolis proposes three monastics for canonization

At its latest session at Lainici Monastery on August 6, the Metropolitan Synod of Oltenia discussed the proposals for the canonization of several holy men. During the meeting, the hierarchs approved the liturgical texts that will form the services for Fr. Gherasim (Iscu), Fr. Visarion (Toia), and Fr. John of Horezu, who are being proposed…

Aug 16, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Suceava Archdiocese shows plans for future skete of Elders Paisie and Cleopa at Vadu Negrilesei: VIDEO

A new video from the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți shows the impressive plans for the future Skete of Elders Cleopa (Ilie) and Paisie (Olaru). Both of these great 20th-century ascetics are among those who will be canonized by the Romanian Holy Synod in 2025, to mark the 140th anniversary of autocephaly and the 100th…

Mar 25, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Cell and spring of Elder Cleopas consecrated in mountains where he hid from communist regime

The memory of Elder Cleopas (Ilie), one of the greatest elders of the 20th century, who has been proposed for canonization by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 2025, was honoured in the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți on December 2 with the consecration of his mountain cell and a holy spring. December 2 marked the…

Dec 9, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

28th anniversary of Fr Dumitru Staniloae’s repose

Twenty-eight years have passed since Father Dumitru Stăniloae’s repose in the Lord. The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki first awarded him the title of Doctor honoris causa in 1976 on the recommendation of Athonite abbots. The theologian Olivier Clément called him “the greatest contemporary Orthodox theologian”, and the existentialist philosopher Emil Cioran said that “Philokalia is…

Oct 5, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Arad Theology Faculty rejoices in upcoming canonization of Fr Ilarion Felea

The approval of the local arguments regarding the canonization proposal of Father Ilarion Felea by the Synod of the Metropolis of Banat is a “gratifying fact for those who knew him, read his biography and pastoral-missionary theological work,” the dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Arad, Fr. Cristinel Ioja, told Basilica.ro. “A joy…

Oct 4, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Synod of Cluj Metropolis approves arguments for Fr Liviu Galaction Munteanu’s canonization

The hierarchs of the Metropolis of Cluj, Maramureș and Sălaj met last week at the metropolitan residence in Cluj-Napoca. The agenda included the canonization file of Professor Rev. Liviu Galaction Munteanu, a martyr of the communist prisons. The hierarchs approved the local arguments for his canonization in 2025. His Eminence Metropolitan Andrei chaired the meeting…

Oct 4, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Transylvania Bishops meet at Râmeț to discuss canonization proposals

On Tuesday, Sept. 28, the Metropolitan Synod of Transylvania met at Râmeț Monastery under the chairmanship of His Eminence Metropolitan Laurențiu of Transylvania. The agenda included the canonization files of elders Dometie Manolache from Râmeț and Serafim Popescu from Sâmbăta de Sus, disciples of Father Arsenie Boca. Participants at the meeting included Archbishop Irineu of…

Sep 29, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Canonization process begins for Elder Calistrat Bobu, Fr. Ilarion Felea

During a meeting of the assembly of bishops of the Metropolis of Banat, the hierarchs studied the local arguments for glorifying the Very Rev. Protosyncellus Calistrat Bobu (†1975) and Rev. Prof. Ilarion Felea (†1961). The bishops met at the metropolitan residence in Timișoara for a working session of the Metropolitan Synod of the Metropolis of…

Sep 28, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Elder Dionisie Ignat commemorated on Mount Athos on the 17th anniversary of his repose

Tuesday, May 11, 2021, marked 17 years since the blessed repose of Hieroschemamonk Dionisie Ignat, abbot of the Cell of Saint George at Colciu Skete, Mount Athos. The disciples prayerfully remembered the Athonite Elder of Romanian origin at his tomb at Colciu Skete. Hieromonk Dionisie, the current abbot of the skete, officiated the memorial service…

May 18, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu