Romanian Church сanonizes 16 modern-day saints

Canonized 16 Romanian saints of the 20th century. Photo: basilica.ro

During a session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Patriarchate, which took place on July 11-12, 2024, it was decided to canonize 16 Romanian saints of the 20th century, as reported by basilica.ro.

"It is very important to honor the memory of the spiritual leaders and priests from the period of communist persecution during the difficult times of the 20th century," emphasized Romanian Patriarch Daniel.

For most of them, icons have already been written and approved; liturgical texts are being composed. The celebrations for the glorification of the saints will take place in 2025 when the Romanian Orthodox Church will celebrate the 140th anniversary of autocephaly and the centenary of the recognition of its Patriarchate status.

Among the newly canonized saints is Archpriest Dumitru Stăniloae (1903-1993) – theology professor in Sibiu and Bucharest, with the title the Holy Confessor Priest Dumitru Stăniloae, who was also an educator, professor, translator, spiritual writer, and journalist. He was one of the most respected Christian theologians of the second half of the 20th century. He enjoyed unrivaled authority both at home and abroad and was referred to as the "patriarch of Romanian theology".

Father Dumitru Stăniloae graduated from Chernivtsi University in 1927. In 1928, he defended his dissertation at Chernivtsi University on the topic "The Life and Works of Dositheus of Jerusalem and His Connections with Romanian Authorities".

The list of new saints can be found on the website of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

As the UOJ previously reported, in 2017, the Romanian Church canonized the saints of Putna Monastery.

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