Romanian Saints

Holy Synod approves canonization of 16 modern-day saints

On July 11-12, The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held its working sessions at Patriarch Teoctist Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The main new decisions of the Holy Synod are as follows: a) Approval of the canonization of 16 Romanian saints, with some liturgical…

Jul 12, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Saints’ Sunday is not a day of national pride, bp Teofil of Iberia explains

“Romanian Saints’ Sunday is not a day of national pride to show that we are better than other Christian nations, but rather a day of holy joy to show what unites us with other nations, with whom we are called to bear witness to the glory of Christ’s Church,” emphasised His Grace Bishop Teofil of…

Jul 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Who are the 15 Venerables and Confessors proposed for canonization as part of the Romanian Patriarchate’s Centennial in 2025

The proposed canonization of fifteen Romanian venerables and confessors is a significant event in the history of the Romanian Orthodox Church. This proclamation, set to take place next year, coincides with the Church’s centennial since its patriarchal status was recognized. The files are currently undergoing analysis and are awaiting approval by the Holy Synod of the Romanian…

May 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

“Mount Athos Nightingale” Nectarios Protopsaltes is considered for sainthood, Patriarch Daniel announces at Bucharest Archdiocese Monastic Synaxis

During his speech at the Monastic Synaxis of the Bucharest Archdiocese on Thursday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel referred to the desire to canonize Nectarios Protopsaltes, an Athonite monk of Romanian origin who was the disciple of the newly-glorified Saint Macarios Protopsaltes. Regarding the Commemorative Year of hymnographers and church chanters (psaltai), His Beatitude recalled that…

Nov 24, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Father Dumitru Stăniloae’s 120th birth anniversary

Today marks 120 years since the birth of Father Dumitru Stăniloae, one of the greatest Romanian theologians. Father Dumitru Stăniloae was proposed for canonization in 2025, when the Romanian Orthodox Church will celebrate 140 years of autocephaly and 100 years since obtaining the status of a patriarchate. A museum will be set up for the…

Nov 16, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Ukraine, willing to give relics of Saint Theodora to Romania in exchange for national heroes’ remains

The relics of Saint Theodora of Sihla could be brought to Romania, according to a joint statement issued after a meeting between the governments of Ukraine and Romania on Wednesday in Kyiv. According to the statement, the two prime ministers noted “the importance of work related to the organization of the search for the relics…

Oct 20, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

30th anniversary of Father Dumitru Staniloae’s blessed repose

Thirty years ago, on the night of October 4 to 5, Father Dumitru Stăniloae reposed in the Lord. The famous Romanian theologian is on the path to sainthood because he lived a virtuous life and endured torment for professing his faith during the atheistic communist regime. Priest Dumitru Stăniloae and several confessors will most likely…

Oct 5, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Suceava Archbishop reveals intention to canonise local saints

His Eminence Archbishop Calinic of Suceava and Rădăuţi detailed several persons with a holy life who could be proposed for canonisation by the Archdiocese in the near future. “Bukovina has, thank God, enough saints. It is true they are not yet canonised but are in the attention of the Church: Metropolitans Teoctist and Anastasie Crimca,…

Sep 22, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Simonopetra Monastery Abbot thinks Romanian Prince Michael the Brave is a Saint

The abbot of the Athonite Monastery of Simonopetra, Archimandrite Elisaios Raptis, said that his monastic community reveres Prince Michael the Brave as a saint. Michael the Brave was Prince of Wallachia (1593-1601), Prince of Moldova (1600) and de facto ruler of Transylvania (1599-1600). He is considered one of Romania’s most significant national heroes and the…

Aug 14, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Preparations underway for 250th jubilee of the translation of St. Demetrius the New’s relics to Bucharest

July 13 marked the 249th anniversary of the translation of the relics of Saint Demetrius the New to Bucharest. Looking to the future, Romania’s capital and the Patriarchal Cathedral are preparing for next year’s 250th anniversary of the saint’s protection over Bucharest. Last year, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church decided to include…

Jul 14, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu

Banat Metropolitan reveals first icon of soon-to-be-saint Calistrat Bobu

During the diocesan assembly of the Archdiocese of Timisoara, His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat presented the first icon of Elder Calistrat Bobu, whose canonisation is being considered by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church. Two years ago, the Holy Synod started the process of canonisation of several priests and monks who professed…

Jan 26, 2023Aurelian Iftimiu