Romanian Orthodox Church Approves Canonization of 16 Holy Women
Synod recognizes women with a variety of backgrounds for lives of faith and sacrifice.
BUCHAREST — The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, chaired by Patriarch Daniel, has officially approved the canonization of 16 female ascetics during its latest session. The newly glorified saints include nuns, martyrs, confessors, royal women, and mothers of saints, honored for their unwavering faith, asceticism, and devotion to the Church across centuries of Romanian history. Their lives reflect deep spiritual commitment in the face of persecution, imprisonment, and worldly renunciation.
Information on the saints, first reported by basilica.ro, is listed below.
- Princess Maria Brâncoveanu (1661–1729), wife of the Holy Prince-Martyr Constantine Brâncoveanu, canonized as the Holy Princess Maria Brâncoveanu with feast day on August 16;
- Schemanun Filofteia Antonescu of Pasărea Monastery (mid-18th century – 1833), canonized as Saint Philothea of Pasărea, mother of Saint Callinicus of Cernica, with feast day on April 12;
- Nun-martyr Evloghia Țârlea of Samurcășești-Ciorogârla Monastery (1908-1949), canonized as the Holy Venerable Martyr Eulogia of Samurcășești, commemorated on December 19;
- Schemanun Elisabeta Lazăr of Pasărea Monastery (1970-2014), canonized as Saint Elizabeth of Pasărea, with feast day on June 5;
- Nun Platonida (1487-1554), the wife of the Holy Prince Neagoe Basarab, canonized as Saint Platonida of Argeș (former Despina Milica) with feast day on September 26;
- Măndălina Cătălinici (1895-1962), canonized as Saint Magdalena of Malajnica, with feast day on October 15;
- Schemanun Mavra the ascetic of Mount Ceahlău (17th-18th century), canonized as Saint Mavra of Ceahlău, with feast day on May 4;
- Schemanun Nazaria, first abbess of Văratic Monastery (1697-1814), canonized as Saint Nazaria of Văratic, with feast day on August 17;
- Schemanun Olimpiada, foundress of Văratic Monastery (1757-1842), canonized as Saint Olympias of Văratic, with feast day on August 17;
- Olimpia Tănase (1880-1967), mother of Elder Petroniu of Prodromos Skete, canonized as Saint Olympias of Fărcașa, with feast day on July 4;
- Teacher Blandina Gobjila (1906-1971), deported for 15 years to Syberia, canonized as Saint Blandina the Confessor of Iași, with feast day on May 24;
- Nun Elisabeta (Safta) Brâncoveanu (1776-1857), canonized as saint Elizabeth (Safta) Brâncoveanu, with feast day on August 17;
- Anastasia Șaguna (1785-1836), mother of Saint Andrew Șaguna, metropolitan of Transylvania, canonized as saint Anastasia Șaguna, mother of Saint Andrew Șaguna, with feast day on December 1;
- Nun Filotimia Manolache of Râmeț Monastery (1896-1989), mother of Saint Dometius the Merciful of Râmeț, canonized as Saint Philotimia of Râmeț, mother of Saint Dometius the Merciful, with feast day July 6;
- Nun Antonina Diaconu of Tismana Monastery (1923-2011), canonized as Saint Antonina of Tismana, with feast day on December 23;
- Nun Matrona Ciupelea, abbess of Hurezi Monastery (1852-1935), canonized as Saint Matrona of Hurezi, with feast day on May 5.
Previously, UOJ reported that the Romanian Orthodox Church had rejected a request by Kyiv's ambassador to Bucharest to recognize the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).
