Elder Cleopas

Cell and spring of Elder Cleopas consecrated in mountains where he hid from communist regime

The memory of Elder Cleopas (Ilie), one of the greatest elders of the 20th century, who has been proposed for canonization by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 2025, was honoured in the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți on December 2 with the consecration of his mountain cell and a holy spring. December 2 marked the…

Dec 9, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

22 years since the death of Elder Cleopa Ilie

Elder Cleopa Ilie passed away on 2 December 1998. Considered by many people a unique “Avva” of the Romanian spirituality, as inspiringly Rev. Prof Dr. Dumitru Staniloae called him, Elder Cleopa was born in Suliţa commune, Botoşani county, on a spring day. His parents, Alexandru and Ana Ilie, called him Constantin, and he was the fifth child…

Dec 2, 2020Gheorghe Anghel

Patriarch Daniel sends condolences after repose of Hieromonk Jacob Savin, last confessor of Elder Cleopas

On Monday morning, July 20, Hieromonk Jacob (Savin) of Sihăstria Monastery reposed in the Lord. His funeral was served the following morning. Fr. Jacob is renowned as a wise hieromonk who served as the last confessor of the great Elder Cleopas (Ilie) who is venerated throughout the Orthodox world. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel sent a…

Jul 22, 2020Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel points to patience as guidance for today’s spiritual fathers

During a ceremony held at St George Chapel of the patriarchal residence appointing new spiritual fathers, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel pointed to patience as one of the greatest virtue recommended by one of the most renowned elders of Romania, Father Cleopas. On Wednesday, April 10, 2019, Elder Cleopas Ilie of Sihastria Monastery was commemorated on…

Apr 11, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Elder Cleopas commemorated at Sihăstria Monastery, 18 years after his death (Video)

Elder Cleopas Ilie was remembered Satruday, 3 December 2016, at Sihăstria Monastery, 18 years after his passing away to the Lord. A memorial service was officiated by His Eminence Teofan, Metropolitan of Moldova and Bukovina. Other Romanian Elders were also remembered at the service: Archimandrite Ioanichie Bălan, Archimandrite Victorin Oanele and Hieroschemamonk Paisie Olaru. Many…

Dec 6, 2016Aurelian Iftimiu