Varatec Monastery

Saints Nazaria, Olympias and Elizabeth locally proclaimed at Romania’s Văratec Monastery

Ten hierarchs and numerous abbots from the Moldavia region, joined by clergy from across Romania and the diaspora, celebrated the Divine Liturgy last Sunday at Văratec Monastery in Neamț County, where the local proclamation of the canonisation of Saints Nazaria, Olympias and Elizabeth of Văratec took place after the liturgy. The assembly of hierarchs comprised…

Aug 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Foundresses of Văratec Monastery remembered as canonization proposed for 2026

Schema-nuns Olimpiada and Nazaria, the founding mothers of Văratec Monastery in Neamț County, were commemorated on Monday during a monastic synaxis. The two venerable nuns are among several saintly Romanian women proposed for canonization in 2026. His Grace Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani, Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Iași, participated in the gathering and offered…

Jun 11, 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

Eldress Nazaria remembered as “an admirable person, with a special kindness” at Varatec Monastery

Stavrophore Nazaria Niță was commemorated on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at Văratec Monastery, which she led as abbess between 1973-1995. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the nun’s blessed repose. The memorial service was officiated by Fr. Nicolae Axentioi, dean of Neamț. The current abbess of the monastery, Iosefina Giosanu, highlighted the fact that…

Nov 3, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Teofan speaks about St George the Pilgrim’s role in society

His Eminence Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina pointed to the role played by Saint George the Pilgrim in the Romanian society of his time during his homily delivered on the feast of the Saint last Saturday at Varatec Monastery. ‘Saint George the Pilgrim appeared in a context in which balance needed to be maintained…

Aug 20, 2019Aurelian Iftimiu

Saint George the Pilgrim’s Sainthood locally proclaimed at Varatec Monastery

Saint George the Pilgrim’s sainthood was locally proclaimed Friday, August 17, during a ceremony held at Văratec Monastery, where the Saint’s holy relics are enshrined. The Lay-ascetic George Lazar ‘the Pilgrim’ (†1916) was glorified by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church during its working session on October 5, 2017. An additional local proclamation…

Aug 21, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Metropolitan Teofan leads Patronal Feast of largest nunnery in Romania

His Eminence Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bukovina presided over the Divine Liturgy celebrated Thursday, August 16, 2018, at Varatec Monastery, the largest nunnery in Romania, on the feast of Saint Joseph, founder and first spiritual director of the monastery. The monastery’s catholicon dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos shelters the holy relics of…

Aug 21, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu