Saint Cleopas of Sihăstria

Relics of Saints Paisius and Cleopas emerge fragrant during exhumation in Romania, Bishop calls it a “sign of divine grace”

Assistant Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani, from the Archdiocese of Iași, emphasized that the day the relics of Saints Paisius (Olaru) and Cleopas (Ilie) of Sihăstria were uncovered “will remain for us not only a historic day but one deeply engraved in our souls—a day on which we all witnessed how God works on earth even…

Apr 29, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Sihăstria Monastery hosts exhumation of Saints Paisius and Cleopas relics in view of local canonization

The relics of Saints Paisius (Olaru) and Cleopas (Ilie) of Sihăstria were exhumed on Monday and placed in specially crafted reliquaries. The special exhumation service was officiated by Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia and Assistant Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani from the Archdiocese of Iași. The personal belongings of the two revered monks, preserved in their…

Apr 28, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Artist reveals first look at reliquary for Saint Cleopas’ relics, honouring Romanian monastic spirituality

Iconographer and church artist Ana-Maria Zară has shared for the first time details of the reliquary being crafted to hold the holy relics of Saint Cleopas (Ilie) of Sihăstria. “In lines of silver, the memories of his spiritual steps through Romanian monastic spirituality will be engraved,” the artist wrote. “Each scene seeks to echo the…

Apr 14, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Saints Paisius Olaru and Cleopas Ilie honoured at Sihăstria Monastery

Saints Paisius Olaru and Cleopas Ilie were commemorated on Saturday at Sihăstria Monastery in Neamț County during a memorial service officiated by His Grace Assistant Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani. Although the two ascetics were declared saints on July 12 by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, memorial services remain allowed until their official…

Dec 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Remembering Saint Cleopas of Sihăstria: 26 years since his passing

December 2 marks 26 years since the repose of Saint Cleopas of Sihăstria, canonized by the Romanian Orthodox Church during its working session on July 11–12. Saint Cleopas was born on April 10, 1912, in Sulița, Botoșani County, to Alexandru and Ana Ilie and was baptized with the name Constantin. He was one of ten…

Dec 2, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Varlaam to students: Theology is learned not only in class and library, but especially in the church

His Grace Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Tuesday at Saint Catherine University Chapel to mark the opening of the new academic year at the Orthodox Theology Faculty in Bucharest. Following the Divine Liturgy, the bishop read His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel’s blessing message and urged the young theology students to…

Oct 3, 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