Patriarchate of Constantinople Canonizes Two Romanian Elders of Mount Athos

Photo: basilica.ro

ISTANBUL — The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, meeting August 30–31, formally canonized two Romanian elders of Mount Athos: Hieroschemamonk Dionysius (Ignat) of Colciu and Archimandrite Petronius (Tănase) of Prodromos Skete.

Their feast days will be observed on May 11 for St. Dionysius and February 24 for St. Petronius. Liturgical texts for their services were prepared by the Romanian Patriarchate and submitted to Constantinople.

Patriarch Daniel of Romania welcomed the decision, noting that both elders “always kept the longing for their homeland” and are revered by Romanians and Greeks alike. He had earlier petitioned the Ecumenical Patriarch for their canonisation, highlighting their role as spiritual confessors during the communist era.

The Romanian Patriarch also reiterated that the right to canonize the Romanian elders belongs to the Church "where a person lived the last part of their life and where they reposed," according to Basilica News Agency.

St. Dionysius (1909–2004), a native of Botoșani County, lived 78 years on Mount Athos, where he became one of its most respected confessors. His funeral was attended by then-Prince Charles of Wales.

St. Petronius (1914–2011), a theologian and longtime abbot of Prodromos Skete, guided the revival of the Romanian Athonite community after decades of hardship under communism. He was remembered as both “cultured and humble” by Metropolitan Serafim of Germany.

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