Modern-day saints

St John Maximovitch, missionary Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco, remembered 60 years after his repose

The Orthodox Church on Thursday marks the 60th anniversary of the repose of St John Maximovitch, Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco, one of the twentieth century’s most revered Orthodox saints whose missionary ministry extended across Asia, Europe and North America. St John was added to the Romanian Orthodox Church’s calendar in 2023, with his…

Jul 2, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Athonite monks present relics of newly canonised Saints to Ecumenical Patriarch

Romanian monks from the Holy Mount Athos presented Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I with relics of three recently canonised Romanian Athonite Saints on Monday: St Dionysius of Colciu Cell, St Petronius of Prodromos Skete, and St Niphon of Prodromos Skete. The holy relics were brought by a delegation comprising Hieroschemamonk Dionisie Alb, Abbot of the Cell…

Jul 1, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Pasărea Monastery proclaims canonisation of two Romanian Women Saints: ‘They lived in perfect simplicity’

The local proclamation of the canonisation of Saints Philothea and Elizabeth of Pasărea took place on Friday at Pasărea Monastery. The solemn event was held following the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Archbishop Nifon of Târgoviște, Honorary Metropolitan and Patriarchal Exarch, together with Archbishop Calinic of Argeș and Muscel, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishops Varlaam of Ploiești and…

Jun 9, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Hon metropolitan Nifon: Canonisation of Holy Women shows that holiness begins in the family

His Eminence Hon Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Târgoviște and patriarchal exarch, said on Friday at Pasărea Monastery that the canonisation of sixteen Romanian holy women demonstrates that holiness begins within the family. The hierarch celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Pasărea Monastery on the occasion of the local proclamation of the canonisation of St Philothea of…

Jun 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Church adds St Gabriel the Confessor of Georgia to liturgical calendar

Saint Gabriel the Confessor and Fool for Christ of Georgia has been added to the calendar of the Romanian Orthodox Church, following a decision approved by the Holy Synod during its working session at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest last week. The Synod also approved the liturgical texts dedicated to the saint, who will be…

Jun 8, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

A new spiritual jewel: Relics of Venerable Philotimia of Râmeț, mother of St Dometius the Merciful, unearthed

“Today, a new spiritual jewel enters the sacred treasury of Râmeț Monastery: the honourable relics of Venerable Philotimia,” said Archbishop Irineu of Alba Iulia. “They will be venerated alongside those of Gelasius of Râmeț and Dometius the Merciful of Râmeț.” The archbishop made the remarks at Râmeț Monastery on Thursday during the exhumation of the…

Mar 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Relics of St Elizabeth exhumed at Pasărea Monastery, bishop praises her example

“The face of Schema-nun Elisabeta (Lazăr) shines like the example and life of the hermits of old. She urges each of us to value time and dedicate as much of it as possible to the Lord,” said Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova from the Archdiocese of Bucharest, on Friday, January 16, at Pasărea Monastery in…

Jan 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Relics of Saint Eulogia of Samurcășești exhumed, Bishop calls her an example of service

Venerable Evloghia Țârlea is, for the nuns of this monastery and for nuns throughout the Orthodox Church—especially within the Romanian Orthodox Church—“an example of service,” Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova said last Thursday as the relics of St Eulogia were exhumed at Samurcășești-Ciorogârla Monastery in Ilfov County. The saint, canonised last year by the Holy…

Jan 20, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

First Orthodox saints to have lived in the 21st century are all Romanian

Amid the rush of daily life, you may have missed an interesting piece of information: Did you know that the first five Orthodox saints who lived in the 21st century and have since been canonised are all Romanian? The list includes Saint Sofian of Antim, Saint Dionysius of Colciu, Saint Petronius the Prodromite, Saint Antonina…

Nov 26, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Vigil service for Saint Sofian of Antim. Bishop Varlaam: God has blessed us with a Saint from our times

On Monday evening, His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești officiated the all-night vigil for Saint Sofian the Confessor of Antim, ahead of the local proclamation of his canonisation. In his homily, Bishop Varlaam emphasised the joy of honouring “a saint from our own days,” known personally to many faithful in Bucharest and beyond.…

Sep 16, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel blesses reliquary ahead of local canonisation ceremony of Saint Sofian of Antim

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel blessed on Saturday the reliquary that will hold the relics of Saint Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery. The blessing service was officiated in the historic Chapel of Saint George the Great Martyr of the Patriarchal Residence, three days before the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saint Sofian the Confessor. On…

Sep 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu