Metropolitan Laurentiu of Transylvania on Sunday officially declared Venerable Paphnutius – Pârvu the Iconographer a Saint of the Orthodox Church in front of thousands of believers at Robaia Monastery within the Archdiocese of Argeş and Muscel.
His Eminence Metropolitan Laurenţiu presided over the Divine Liturgy at which concelebrated several hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church: His Eminence Calinic, Archbishop of Argeş and Muscel, His Eminence Casian, Archbishop of Lower Danube, His Grace Galaction, Bishop of Alexandria and Teleorman, and His Grace Siluan, Romanian Bishop of Hungary.
As reported by the diocesan website, Archbishop Calinic addressed the faithful during the Divine Liturgy explaining the significance of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
His Grace Bishop Siluan of Hungary read out the Synodal Tomos of Canonization for St Paphnutius, following which the hierarch presented the icon of the newly glorified Saint and the Saint’s troparion was chanted.
Metropolitan Laurentiu, as the delegate of Patriarch Daniel on this occasion, addressed the faithful and spoke about the state of holiness to which we are called to attain, presenting Venerable Paphnutius of Robaia Monastery as a spiritual example.
His Eminence Archbishop Calinic presented to the faithful the main reasons that led to the decision of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church to glorify Venerable Paphnutius.
The mayor of the town of Muşăteşti, where Robaia Monastery is located, conferred the title of honorary citizen to His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel and to Archbishop Calinic of Argeş and Muscel. The abbess of Robaia Monastery, Stavrophore Siluana was awarded a diploma of merit.
Life of Saint Paphnutius – Pârvu the Iconographer
The evening before His Grace Bishop Galaction of Alexandria and Teleorman officiated the All-Night Vigil for the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the final memorial service for Venerable Paphnutius the Iconographer from Robaia.
As previously reported, a meeting of the Synod of the Metropolis of Muntenia and Dobrudja was held in late May, at which a number of documents were adopted in view of the future glorification of Monk Paphnutius (1657-1735). The metropolis’ request was approved at the July 4-5 session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Church.
