Saint Sofian of Antim

Akathist to Saint Sofian the Confessor of St Anthimos Monastery (16 September)

This Akathist honours our Holy and Venerable Father Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery (16 September), a priest, confessor, spiritual father and iconographer formed by the Jesus Prayer. He celebrated the Divine Mysteries reverently, painted holy icons, guided spiritual children and cared for the afflicted. He remained steadfast during persecution and endured imprisonment. The hymn praises…

Sep 17, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam: St Sofian was a prophet, apostle and spiritual father of Bucharest

“During the dark years of communism, Antim Monastery was a lamp that remained continually burning, a light of resurrection here in the heart of Bucharest, while St Sofian was a prophet, an apostle and a father of this city, to whom both the most accomplished intellectuals and ordinary people would turn, seeking his kindness, forgiveness…

Sep 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel remembers four hesychast saints he knew, founders of Romania’s Patriarchate

During the opening of the Autumn Pastoral-Missionary Conference of the Archdiocese of Bucharest on Tuesday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel remembered four great hesychast elders and confessors of the 20th century — Saint Cleopas Ilie, Saint Paisius Olaru, Saint Dumitru Stăniloae, and Saint Sofian of Antim — all of whom he personally knew. The Patriarch said…

Nov 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Lebanon Metropolis publishes tribute album for Saint Sofian of Antim, Bucharest’s Apostle

The Metropolis of Byblos, Botris, and Mount Lebanon (Patriarchate of Antioch) has published a commemorative album dedicated to Saint Sofian of Antim, who painted the Church of Saint George at Deir el-Harf Monastery, near Broummana in eastern Lebanon. The volume, printed in English, includes previously unpublished photographs of Saint Sofian of Antim and serves as…

Sep 29, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Antiochian delegation visits Romanian Patriarchate as Saint Sofian of Antim is locally canonized

A delegation of the Patriarchate of Antioch visited the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest on Monday, Sept. 15, where they were received by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, general secretary of the Holy Synod. The delegation included Metropolitan Silouan of Byblos and Botris from the Archdiocese of Mount Lebanon, together with Father Daniel Bedran, a…

Sep 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

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

Vigil service for Saint Sofian of Antim. Bishop Varlaam: God has blessed us with a Saint from our times

On Monday evening, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești officiated the all-night vigil for Saint Sofian the Confessor of Antim, ahead of the local proclamation of his canonisation. In his homily, Bishop Varlaam emphasised the joy of honouring “a saint from our own days,” known personally to many faithful in Bucharest and beyond.…

Sep 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu