Romania Marks Day of Remembrance for Victims of Communist Persecution

Forty Martyrs of Sebaste. Photo: cappadociahistory.com

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA — The Romanian Patriarchate marked March 9 as a day of remembrance for both the ancient martyrs of the Church and modern victims of communist persecution, honoring those who suffered for their faith during the totalitarian period of the 20th century.

The Church commemorated the feast of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste alongside the Day of Remembrance for anti-communist political prisoners who were incarcerated between 1944 and 1989. Church leaders called on the faithful to remember Romanians who resisted the atheist communist regime and endured imprisonment, forced labor, and, in some cases, death for professing their Christian faith.

The observance also highlighted recent commemorations within the Romanian Orthodox Church. As part of 2026’s focus on Christian families and holy women, the Church proclaimed the canonization of several female saints earlier this year. Among them are Venerable Martyr Evloghia of Samurcășești, who died after being beaten for preaching Christianity in 1949, and Confessor Blandina of Iași, who endured more than 15 years of deportation to Siberia under Soviet rule.

Church officials urged prayers for all those who suffered under communism and praised them as enduring examples of faith, courage, and devotion to the Romanian people.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Romanian Orthodox Church called for nationwide prayers for peace.

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