Romanian Saints

Iasi Archdiocese to mark 380th anniversary of the translation of Saint Parascheva’s relics to Romania

On June 12-13, 2021, the Archdiocese of Iaşi will hold cultural and liturgical events marking the 380th anniversary of the translation of the relics of Saint Parascheva from Constantinople to Iaşi. The holy relics were a gift of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the ruler prince of Moldavia, Vasile Lupu. In 1641, the relics were enshrined…

Jun 4, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

“Father of Romanian autocephaly” Bishop Melchisedec Ștefănescu could be canonized in 2025

On the 129th anniversary of Bp. Melchisedec’s repose, His Eminence Archbishop Ioachim of Roman and Bacău spoke about the possibility of his canonization in 2025, noting that the file for his canonization is being prepared. “May God vouchsafe this painting [of Bp. Melchisedec] to become an icon,” Archbishop Ioachim said after officiating a memorial service…

May 20, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel inaugurates museum at Cernica Monastery

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on Sunday inaugurated three facilities at Cernica Monastery, including a memorial house of St George of Cernica and Caldarusani, a museum and a refectory for pilgrims. The persons who contributed to the restoration and modernization works received church distinctions as a sign of appreciation and gratitude from the Patriarch of Romania.…

Apr 13, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Tismana Abbess about Elder Gherasim Iscu’s canonization: We feel him as a father and protector

“We welcome with great joy this decision of the Holy Synod,” Nun Antonia Popescu, abbess of Tismana Monastery, told Basilica.ro upon receiving the news that Archimandrite Gherasim Iscu is one of the confessors proposed for canonization. Father Gherasim was the last abbot of the monastery before it turned into a women’s monastery. “Father was a…

Mar 17, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Canonization 2025: Bishop Varlaam reveals first three names

On Anti-Communist Political Prisoners Day, His Grace Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, general secretary of the Holy Synod, revealed some of the names proposed for canonization in 2025. They are priests and monks persecuted or martyred by the communist regime. In its February 25 meeting, the Holy Synod decided to prepare the canonization of twelve priests…

Mar 10, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod meets for first time in 2021, urges responsibility during celebration of Holy Mysteries

The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held its working session at the Patriarchal Palace under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on Thursday, February 25, 2021. The Holy Synod elected by secret ballot the Very Reverend Archimandrite Nichifor Horia as Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Iasi. The new hierarch will bear…

Feb 25, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

“It’s our duty to bring them home”: Draft law on repatriation of relics of Transylvanian Confessors

On February 9, 2021, eleven deputies submitted a draft law on the repatriation of the Holy Transylvanian Confessors’ relics. The Saints died in the Kufstein prison in the Austrian state of Tyrol in the 18th century, when the Austrian authorities imposed the union between the Orthodox believers in Transylvania with the Roman Catholic Church. Saint Bessarion…

Feb 17, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Archbishop of Roman and Bacau hopes his predecessor Bishop Melchisedec Ştefănescu will soon be canonized

Archbishop Ioachim of Roman and Bacau expressed his hope that the canonization proposal of Bishop Melchisedec Ştefănescu, a former bishop of Roman, will be soon approved by the Holy Synod. His Eminence Archbishop Ioachim officiated a memorial service at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of Saint Parascheva in Roman on Bishop Melchisedec’s 198th birthday anniversary on Monday,…

Feb 16, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint Joseph the Merciful stood out through self-sacrifice, Bishop of Southern Bessarabia says

“He distinguished himself through self-sacrifice, but especially through mercy and the care he had for the Church and its servants,” Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia said Tuesday about Saint Joseph the Merciful at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iasi. „He was one of the worthy hierarchs who pastored this metropolis,” Bishop Veniamin said about St Joseph…

Jan 29, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

They are the Patron Saints of Romanians outside Romania

Whether they are part of the Romanian communities in the vicinity of the country’s borders, or whether they have gone to work, study or settled permanently in other places than their homeland, Romanian Orthodox believers are in the care of the Church on all meridians of the globe. “Romanians outside Romania” are generically named by…

Jan 8, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Six Saints among contenders for title of greatest Romanian philanthropist

Among the contenders for the designation of the Greatest Romanian Philanthropist are six saints of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The campaign, initiated by the Metropolis of Transylvania, currently includes 48 names, including a number of ecclesiastical and secular figures. Nominations are being accepted through November 20 and can come from dioceses of the Romanian Orthodox…

Nov 6, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu