{"id":578547,"date":"2026-06-30T15:14:42","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T12:14:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=578547"},"modified":"2026-06-30T15:14:42","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T12:14:42","slug":"st-philotimia-ramet-local-proclamation-holy-family-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/st-philotimia-ramet-local-proclamation-holy-family-life\/","title":{"rendered":"St Philotimia of R\u00e2me\u021b proclaimed locally as model of holy family life"},"content":{"rendered":"

The local proclamation of St Philotimia of R\u00e2me\u021b took place on Monday at R\u00e2me\u021b Monastery in Alba County. On the occasion, His Eminence Metropolitan Lauren\u021biu of Transylvania said the saint’s life demonstrates that \u201choliness can be lived within the family, not only in monasteries\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before the Divine Liturgy, a procession was held with the relics of St Dometius the Merciful and St Philotimia from the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul to a specially prepared canopy near the monastery’s outdoor altar.<\/p>\n

Thousands Attend the Local Proclamation<\/h2>\n
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In the morning, before the Divine Liturgy, the procession with the two reliquaries containing the relics of St. Philotimia and her son, St. Dometius, took place. 06\/29\/2026. Photo credit: Radio Re\u00eentregirea \/ Deacon \u0218tefan Bretoiu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The local proclamation took place at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Metropolitan Lauren\u021biu together with Archbishop Irineu of Alba Iulia, Archbishop Casian of Lower Danube, Bishop Andrei of Covasna and Harghita, Bishop Benedict of S\u0103laj, Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe, Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland, Assistant Bishop Paisie of Lugoj of the Archdiocese of Timi\u0219oara and Assistant Bishop Gherontie of Hunedoara of the Diocese of Deva and Hunedoara.<\/p>\n

Thousands of faithful from across Romania attended the celebration, alongside representatives of the national and local authorities. Patriarch Daniel was represented by R\u0103zvan Mihai Clipici, Patriarchal Counsellor for Culture, Church Painting and Restoration.<\/p>\n

The Synodal Tomos proclaiming the canonisation was read by Bishop Andrei. Through this official act, St Philotimia of R\u00e2me\u021b was formally inscribed among the saints of the Romanian Orthodox Church, with her feast assigned to 6 July, shared with her son, St Dometius the Merciful of R\u00e2me\u021b.<\/p>\n

An Offering Made to Christ<\/h2>\n
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Metropolitan Lauren\u021biu spoke about the life of St. Philotimia of R\u00e2me\u021b. 29.06.2026. Photo credit: Radio Re\u00eentregirea \/ Deacon. \u0218tefan Bretoiu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Following the reading of the Tomos, Metropolitan Lauren\u021biu reflected on the continuing relevance of St Philotimia’s life.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like us to remember something that God ordained in the life of this family\u2014a work that He has chosen us to fulfil today, at a time when the Christian family is under attack from every direction and is increasingly disregarded.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

His Eminence said that the saint’s forty-three years of married life constituted \u201can offering she brought to Christ\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Metropolitan recalled that St Philotimia and her husband raised twelve children, four of whom dedicated their lives to the service of the Church, while eight predeceased their mother\u2014a profound sorrow that she endured with patience and faith.<\/p>\n

A Mother Who Planted Faith in Her Children’s Hearts<\/h2>\n
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Photo: Radio Re\u00eentregirea \/ Dn \u0218tefan Bretoiu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Speaking to Trinitas TV, Patriarchal Counsellor R\u0103zvan Mihai Clipici highlighted the devotion shown by the faithful towards the newly proclaimed saint.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe the people’s devotion to St Philotimia has been clearly demonstrated by the great number who participated in the Divine Liturgy.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He also recalled the testimony of St Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia, who, shortly after Mother Philotimia’s repose, said that she \u201cascended to heaven like a seraph\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe saint was distinguished by exceptional humility, profound devotion to the Church’s services and to prayer, living the life of a hesychast. She was an exemplary Christian and a remarkable mother who planted in her children’s hearts the love of God and of neighbour,\u201d he added.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

An Image of Sanctifying Motherhood<\/h2>\n
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Saint Philotimia of R\u00e2me\u021b, mother of Saint Dometius the Merciful (July 6)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Saint Philotimia of R\u00e2me\u021b was born Filofteia on 30 April 1896 in the village of B\u0103l\u0103ne\u0219ti, Buz\u0103u County, Romania. Together with her husband, Ioan Manolache, she raised twelve children in the fear of God, obedience and a strong sense of responsibility.<\/p>\n

Following her husband’s death in 1959, she entered the R\u00e2me\u021b Monastery community. On 30 April 1974, she was tonsured into monasticism by her own son, St Dometius, receiving the name Philotimia.<\/p>\n

Shortly before her repose, St Philotimia told her cell attendant that St Dometius had appeared to her and announced that her earthly life was drawing to an end. Having prepared herself through Confession and Holy Communion, she bade farewell to the monastic community and fell asleep in the Lord on 22 July 1989.<\/p>\n

St Philotimia is among the sixteen Romanian women saints canonised<\/a> by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church in 2025. Their solemn proclamation<\/a> took place on 6 February 2026 at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest.<\/p>\n