Romanian monasticism

Romanian Orthodox abbot in US: Monastic vocation is God’s gift, not human achievement

Archimandrite Ieremia Berbec, abbot of the Romanian Orthodox Monastery of St. Demetrius the New in Middletown, New York, recently gave an interview to a youth magazine edited by Putna Monastery. In his conversation with Iulian Tomeac, former president of ASCOR Suceava, the archimandrite reflected on the meaning of monasticism and how one discerns the calling…

Aug 3, 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

Romanian monastic cell dedicated to Saints Athanasius and Cyril under construction on Mount Athos

A Romanian monastic cell dedicated to Saints Athanasius and Cyril is being built on Mount Athos. The monastic settlement is located within the Romanian Lakkoskete, which belongs to Saint Paul Monastery. The new cell is being constructed on land donated by the Lakkoskete, in a deep valley surrounded by chestnut forests, a setting suited for…

May 18, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Historic Mihai Vodă Monastery in Bucharest reactivated with new monastic community

The Romanian capital has gained a new monastic settlement through the reactivation of Mihai Vodă Monastery. Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova and Archimandrite Nectarie Șofelea installed the abbess of the monastery on Saturday, May 9. Nun Cipriana Tănase comes from the community of Râmeț Monastery, where she was a disciple of Stavrophore Ierusalima Ghibu, who…

May 13, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Bishop consecrates chapel at Lakkoskete on Mount Athos

His Grace Bishop Iustin of Maramureș and Sătmar consecrated on Sunday the chapel of the Meeting of the Lord Cell at Lakkoskete on Mount Athos. Joining the service were clergy accompanying the hierarch on his Athonite pilgrimage, together with the skete’s monastic brotherhood. “The main reason for our pilgrimage, that of the delegation of the…

Apr 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

80 years since Romania’s ‘Burning Bush’ hesychast movement began

The Library of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church has marked 80 years since the official launch of the “Burning Bush” spiritual movement at Antim Monastery in Bucharest, commemorating the anniversary in a social media post. In a petition addressed to Patriarch Nicodim and dated 12 February 1946, several Christian lay intellectuals requested…

Feb 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel honours Saints Paisius and Cleopas of Sihăstria as pillars of 20th century monasticism

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church marked the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saints Paisius Olaru and Cleopas Ilie on Thursday with a deeply spiritual tribute, calling them “two pillars of light between the mountains and heaven.” In a pastoral message occasioned by the celebrations at Sihăstria Monastery, the Patriarch of…

Aug 8, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada sets monastic priorities at Ontario Synaxis

The monastic synaxis of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada, held from July 17 to 19 at the Monastery of the Elevation of the Holy Cross and St. Ephraim the New in Mono, Ontario, resulted in three decisions with significant impact on the life of the diocese across the ocean. The following resolutions were adopted:…

Jul 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint Constantine Brâncoveanu relics brought to Văratec Monastery in historic reunion with his descendant Safta

“It felt like a family reunion,” said the Abbess of Văratec Monastery on Monday upon receiving the relics of Saint Constantine Brâncoveanu, the prince-martyr of Wallachia. Fr. Emil Nedelea-Cărămizaru from Saint George the New Church in Bucharest brought the holy relics for a spiritual visit and was reverently welcomed by over 300 monastic sisters from…

May 27, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

140 years since the birth of Father John the Stranger, a key figure in the Burning Bush hesychast movement

One hundred forty years have passed since the birth of Father John the Stranger, a priest who introduced the Jesus Prayer to the Bucharest-based Burning Bush hesychast movement, as he had learned it from the elders of Optina Monastery. “John the Stranger” is the name by which Father Ioann Kulygin, born on February 24, 1885,…

Feb 24, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam on Mount Athos: In the history of the Prodromitissa Icon, we observe God’s work intertwined with human work

“In the history of the Prodromitissa Icon of the Mother of God, we see how the work of God is intertwined with the work of humans,” the patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiești said at the Romanian Skete Prodromos on Monday. Celebrating the feast of the Panagia Prodromitissa, the Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop celebrated the all-night…

Jul 27, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu