Relics of St. Blandina of Iași Exhumed
The relics of a newly canonized Romanian confessor were exhumed, highlighting a life of suffering and steadfast faith.
IAȘI, ROMANIA — The relics of Holy Confessor Blandina of Iași were exhumed April 22 at Eternitatea Cemetery in Iași during a solemn service officiated by Bp. Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia and Vicar Bp. Nichifor Botoșaneanul. The relics were transferred to the Cathedral of St. Great Martyr George.
In his remarks, Bp. Veniamin urged faithful to follow the saint’s example of steadfast faith, highlighting her suffering, including deportation to Siberia for 15 years after the 1940 Soviet occupation of Bessarabia; her return to Romania in 1957; and her decision to remain faithful despite family pressure, later serving through prayer and charity in Iași.
St. Blandina was canonized in July 2025 by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, alongside 15 other saints. The general proclamation occurred February 6 at the Patriarchal Cathedral, with local proclamations scheduled for May 17 in Iași and May 23 in Chișinău.
Bp. Veniamin has compiled an extended biography of St. Blandina.
Previously, the UOJ reported that the Romanian Orthodox Church had exhumed the relics of another recently canonized saint.
