Over 20,000 Faithful Attend Canonization of Ss. Paisie and Cleopa in Romania
Historic local proclamation honors two of Romania’s most revered 20th-century monastic elders.
SIHĂSTRIA MONASTERY, ROMANIA — The local canonization of Saints Paisie (Olaru) and Cleopa (Ilie), two of the most beloved spiritual fathers of the Romanian Orthodox Church in the 20th century, was celebrated on Thursday at Sihăstria Monastery. The event drew over 20,000 pilgrims from across Romania and abroad, coinciding with the feast of Saint Theodora of Sihla.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by 24 hierarchs under the leadership of His Eminence Teofan, Metropolitan of Moldova and Bukovina. During the homily, Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj reflected on the personal holiness of Saint Paisie and the catechetical gifts of Saint Cleopa and detailed his experiences with them, including Saint Paisie reading the prayer of absolution over him and Saint Cleopa having two rows of benches in front of his cell where people would sit for hours to listen to him.
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, the official Synodal Tomos of the local canonization was read aloud by Bishop Ignatie of Huși. Patriarchal Vicar Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești delivered a message from His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, titled “Two Pillars of Light Between the Mountains and the Sky,” praising the saints’ spiritual insight, humility, and unwavering prayer for all people.
Photo: doxologia.ro
Abbot Arsenie Popa of Sihăstria highlighted the saints’ role in preserving and revitalizing Romanian monasticism during the communist era, calling their legacy one that preserved the living hesychast tradition of Romanian Orthodoxy.
After the service, pilgrims venerated the relics of the newly canonized saints, displayed under a special canopy.
Photo: doxologia.ro
Previously, UOJ reported that Patristic Nectar Publications has released a biography on the life of Saint Cleopa.
