Saint Dionysius Erhan

Southern Bessarabia bishop prayerfully marks 103rd anniversary of Cetatea Albă–Ismail diocese

His Grace Bishop Veniamin officiated a Te Deum service on Tuesday at the diocesan cathedral in Cahul to mark the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Cetatea Albă–Ismail, whose canonical successor today is the Diocese of Southern Bessarabia. The hierarch recalled the historical context of the diocese’s establishment, noting that the Great…

Mar 11, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Saints Demetrios, Dionysius and Philothea draw thousands to Bucharest for religious celebrations

The Patriarchal Cathedral’s square in Bucharest was filled with pilgrims coming from across Romania to celebrate the feast day of Saint Demetrios the New, the spiritual protector of the capital. Thousands of believers waited in line for hours to bow down before the relics of St Demetrios the New, the newly-glorified Saint Dionysius Erhan, and…

Oct 27, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolis of Chisinau representative thanks Romanian Patriarch for canonization of Bishop Dionysius Erhan

‘We are here as part of the delegation of the Metropolis of Chisinau to bring thanks to His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel for the gesture he made for the entire clergy and the people in Bessarabia by including among the Saints Bishop Dionysius, who had a monastic vocation and a holy life and who gives us…

Oct 27, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Bishop Dionysius Erhan officially declared a Saint during a ceremony held in Bucharest

Bishop Dionysius Erhan of Cetatea Alba and Ismail was canonized during a ceremony in Bucharest on Sunday attended by the Patriarch of Romania, members of the Holy Synod, state officials and a delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Metropolis of Chisinau. In front of thousands of pilgrims in the Patriarchal Assembly’s Square, the Romanian bishop of…

Oct 27, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Who are the “Guests” of Saint Demetrios the New?

The newest Romanian saint, a hierarch from Bessarabia who was glorified in 2018, and the “Saintie” who died for Christ at the age of 12, will soon be the “guests” of Saint Demetrios the New at the annual procession honouring the spiritual protector of Bucharest. The relics of Saint Dionysius, Bishop of Cetatea Alba and…

Oct 24, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Celebrations of St Demetrios the New in Bucharest 2019: Full Schedule

The traditional pilgrimage organized every year by the Romanian Patriarchate and the Archdiocese of Bucharest on the feast day of Saint Demetrios the New, Protector of Bucharest, celebrated on Oct. 27, will take place on October 25-29, 2019, according to the following schedule: Friday, October 25, the Path of the Saints Procession will begin at…

Oct 18, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian Patriarchate sets date for sainthood ceremony for Bishop Dionysius Erhan

Bishop Dionysius Erhan, one of the most outstanding church personalities from Bessarabia in the first half of the 20th century, will be proclaimed a Saint by Patriarch Daniel and other Romanian hierarchs in a canonization ceremony in Bucharest in October on the feast of St Demetrius the New. The canonization ceremony was set for October…

Sep 19, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Holy Synod glorifies 20th century Bessarabian Bishop Dionysius Erhan

During its autumn regular session, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church resolved to glorify the 20th century Bessarabian Bishop Dionysius Erhan whose relics were found incorrupt earlier this year during the consolidation works at Suruceni Monastery in the Republic of Moldova. The canonization proposal was submitted by the Bishops’ Synod of the Metropolis…

Oct 30, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu