{"id":536031,"date":"2025-07-25T12:47:30","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T09:47:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=536031"},"modified":"2025-07-25T12:47:30","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T09:47:30","slug":"romanian-patriarch-blesses-reliquary-saint-onuphrius-vorona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/romanian-patriarch-blesses-reliquary-saint-onuphrius-vorona\/","title":{"rendered":"Romanian Patriarch blesses reliquary of Saint Onuphrius of Vorona at patriarchal chapel"},"content":{"rendered":"

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel blessed on Thursday the reliquary containing the relics of Saint Onuphrius<\/a> of Sih\u0103stria Voronei Monastery.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The blessing service took place at the \u201cSaint George\u201d Chapel of the Patriarchal Residence, with Archimandrite Ghedeon Hu\u021bana\u0219u, abbot of the monastic settlement in Boto\u0219ani County, also in attendance.<\/p>\n

His Beatitude recalled aspects of the saint\u2019s life, noting that Saint Onuphrius was originally from Ukraine and a disciple of Saint Paisius Velichkovsky of Neam\u021b.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was initially a general in the Imperial Army, and later sought monastic life, coming to the Moldavian lands where Saint Paisius of Neam\u021b led and formed a large community of monks\u2014almost a thousand\u2014from over twenty countries.\u201d<\/p>\n

Patriarch Daniel congratulated the abbot for his substantial administrative and pastoral activity, mentioning the construction of the monastery\u2019s central church.<\/p>\n

As a token of gratitude, Archimandrite Ghedeon Hu\u021bana\u0219u presented the Patriarch with an icon depicting Saint Onuphrius.<\/p>\n

The reliquary blessed on Thursday was crafted initially two decades ago and was recently restored at the Workshops of the Romanian Patriarchate.<\/p>\n

Saint Onuphrius of Vorona<\/h2>\n

Saint Onuphrius of Vorona, born around 1700 into Russian nobility, renounced worldly honours to live an ascetic life in Moldavia under the guidance of Elder Paisius.<\/p>\n

He spent 25 years in solitude at Sih\u0103stria Vorona Skete, practicing intense prayer and fasting, and was revered for his spiritual wisdom.<\/p>\n

Before his repose, an angel guided a priest to bring him Holy Communion. After his death, miracles were attributed to his relics, including the healing of Prince Mihail Sturza\u2019s daughter.<\/p>\n

His relics were eventually enshrined at Sih\u0103stria Voronei, where they remain, and he was canonised by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 2005. This year marks the 20th anniversary of his canonisation.<\/p>\n