Romanian Saints

Sainthood of Hesychast Saint Theophano Basarab, proclaimed by Romanian Orthodox Church in Solemn Year of Prayer

Marking the patronal feast of the Patriarchal Cathedral on Saturday, May 21, 2022, the historical proclamation of the sainthood of the Venerable Theophano Basarab took place. Saint Theophano is the first nun in history known to be of Romanian origin and the daughter of Prince Basarab I of Wallachia. The canonization ceremony led by Patriarch…

May 21, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod canonises Saint Theophano Basarab, first known Romanian nun

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church announced on Thursday the canonization of Venerable Theopahno Basarab from Albotina monastery (Vidin), a contemporary with St. Gregory Palamas and disciple of St. Theodosius the Hesychast. She is the first Romanian nun known in history. The day of celebration will be October 28, when the Saint is…

Feb 18, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

140th anniversary of repose of St Antipas the Athonite of Calapodești celebrated in Roman

Saint Antipas of Calapodești was honoured at the Cathedral in Roman with an all-night vigil and Divine Liturgy. This year marked the 140th anniversary of the blessed repose of Saint Antipas, the patron saint of a chapel of the Archdiocesan Cathedral in Roman, Neamt County. “Saint Antipas is also present and honoured in the synaxaria…

Jan 13, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

10th anniversary of the Canonization of Saint Andrew Șaguna: Thanks to him, Transylvania remained in Apostle Andrew’s faith

The Holy Hierarch Andrei Şaguna, the founder of the Metropolis of Transylvania, was celebrated during a Divine Liturgy in Sibiu on Tuesday. This year marks ten years since the canonization of Saint Andrew Şaguna, whose relics are kept at the Orthodox Cathedral in Sibiu. Thanks to him, Transylvania remained in the faith of the Apostle…

Dec 3, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint Parascheva is God’s gift for Romania, Metropolitan of Transylvania says

Metropolitan Laurentiu of Transylvania called Saint Parascheva “a divine gift that God sent to our country to protect us, to be our guardian and reinforcer in these difficult moments.” The Metropolitan of Transylvania addressed the faithful gathered in Iasi last week for the feast of Saint Parascheva the Protectress of Moldavia. God does not save…

Oct 18, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Bp Varlaam: Saint Anthimos the Georgian founded free education and introduced Romanian language in the Church

His Grace Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the patronal feast of St. Antimos Monastery in Bucharest on Sept. 27. He spoke about the achievements of the holy hierarch Anthimos, who was a collaborator of St. Constantine Brâncoveanu: he founded the first free public schools; he introduced Romanian in worship; he created…

Oct 5, 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