Romanian Church Synod approves canonization of 16 female ascetics

Working session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church. Photo: Romanian Patriarchate's Press Office

On July 1, 2025, under the chairmanship of Patriarch Daniel, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church held a session in which it approved the decision to canonize 16 women known for their righteous lives. This was reported on the website of the Romanian Patriarchate’s press service.

Among those newly glorified are nuns, venerable martyrs, confessors, rulers' wives, and mothers of saints. Their lives bear witness to deep faith, selfless service to the Church, steadfastness in the face of persecution, ascetic struggle, and love for Christ even in the most difficult historical circumstances.

Some of those canonized lived and served in Romanian monasteries from the 18th to the 20th centuries, while others confessed the faith during times of persecution and imprisonment, or played an important role in the spiritual upbringing of holy men who made significant contributions to the life of the Romanian Church. Some were women of royal or noble birth who renounced worldly glory for the sake of serving God and their neighbors.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Bishops’ Council of the Serbian Church canonized new martyrs.

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