canonization

Two Romanian Athonite elders canonised by Ecumenical Patriarchate

Two Romanian elders from Mount Athos have been added to the synaxarion by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. They are Hieroschemamonk Niphon (Ionescu), the founder of Prodromos Skete, and Venerable Nectarios (Crețu) the Protopsaltis, also known as the Nightingale of Mount Athos. The canonisations were approved during the Holy Synod meeting of the…

Oct 20, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Ecumenical Patriarchate canonises two Romanian Elders from Mount Athos

The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, meeting in Constantinople on August 30–31, the final two days of the church year, decided to canonise two Romanian elders of Mount Athos: hieroschemamonk Dionisie (Ignat) of Colciu and archimandrite Petroniu (Tănase) of Prodromos Skete. The feast day of Saint Dionysius of Vatopedi (the “St. George” Cell, where…

Sep 2, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Hieromartyr Liviu Galaction’s sainthood locally proclaimed at Cluj-Napoca Cathedral during Annunciation Feast

The local proclamation of Saint Liviu Galaction took place on Tuesday at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Cluj-Napoca. The solemn event coincided with the patronal feast of the Metropolis of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș, and Sălaj, together with an assembly of ten hierarchs of the…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Synod elects new Bishop of Sălaj and initiates 2026 Holy Women canonization

On Thursday, March 27, 2025, the working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church took place in the Aula Magna “Teoctist Patriarch” of the Patriarchal Palace, under the presidency of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The session was preceded by a Te Deum service celebrated by His Grace Nectarie of Bogdania, Assistant Bishop…

Mar 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel highlights importance of State-Religious dialogue for Romanian society

Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church emphasized the crucial role of cooperation between the state and religious denominations during a meeting held at the Roman Catholic Episcopal Palace in Oradea on Tuesday. The event, part of the ongoing activities of the State-Religious Dialogue Commission, aimed to strengthen collaboration between the government and religious institutions.…

Oct 10, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Arad Theology Faculty welcomes canonization of priest and martyr Ilarion Felea: A source of joy and fulfilment

In a statement for Basilica.ro, Father Cristinel Ioja, the Dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Arad, welcomed the canonization of the martyr priest Ilarion Felea, which he described as “excellent news, a source of joy and fulfilment.” Arad’s theological higher education institution bears the name of the confessor priest Ilarion Felea and has…

Jul 24, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate press office offers clarifications regarding new canonizations

In light of a statement from the “Elie Wiesel” National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania regarding the canonizations of Fathers Ilarion Felea, Ilie Lăcătușu, and Dumitru Stăniloae, the Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate makes the following clarifications: a) Following the principles of religious freedom and church autonomy as outlined in…

Jul 23, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Sihăstria Monastery abbot welcomes canonization of Elders Paisie Olaru and Cleopa Ilie: They are alive and take care of us

“We are delighted by the approval of the canonization of all sixteen saints, but we especially welcome with great devotion, gratitude, and spiritual joy this decision to approve the canonization of the two fathers from Sihăstria Monastery, Venerable Paisie Olaru and Venerable Cleopa Ilie,” Archimandrite Arsenie Popa, abbot of Sihăstria Monastery, told Basilica.ro. “The pilgrims…

Jul 18, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

St. Dumitru Stăniloae’s canonization is a joy for the theological world: The tradition of the first centuries is resumed

The news of the canonization of the illustrious theologian and confessor priest Dumitru Stăniloae brought joy among Romanian theologians. Basilica.ro took the pulse of theology faculties in the country where Saint Dumitru Stăniloae taught: Bucharest and Sibiu. Bucharest “We have awaited with joy and hope the moment of the canonization of the most illustrious and…

Jul 17, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod approves canonization of 16 modern-day saints

On July 11-12, The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held its working sessions at Patriarch Teoctist Aula Magna of the Patriarchal Palace under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel. The main new decisions of the Holy Synod are as follows: a) Approval of the canonization of 16 Romanian saints, with some liturgical…

Jul 12, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Who are the 15 Venerables and Confessors proposed for canonization as part of the Romanian Patriarchate’s Centennial in 2025

The proposed canonization of fifteen Romanian venerables and confessors is a significant event in the history of the Romanian Orthodox Church. This proclamation, set to take place next year, coincides with the Church’s centennial since its patriarchal status was recognized. The files are currently undergoing analysis and are awaiting approval by the Holy Synod of the Romanian…

May 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu