Relics of Saints Paisie Olaru and Cleopa Ilie from Sihăstria Monastery exhumed

On Monday, the relics of Saints Paisie Olaru and Cleopa Ilie from Sihăstria Monastery were exhumed and carefully placed into specially prepared reliquaries.

The solemn rite of exhumation was officiated by His Grace Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia and His Grace Assistant Bishop Nichifor Botoșăneanul of the Archdiocese of Iași.

Objects that had been preserved in the graves of the two revered monks were placed into specially prepared cases. At the conclusion of the service, their precious relics were carried in a procession and placed inside the church of Sihăstria Monastery, where the ritual was completed.

The exhumation was carried out in accordance with ecclesiastical tradition, in preparation for the appropriate placement of the relics into new reliquaries, which are currently being crafted.

The local proclamation of the canonisation of the two saints is scheduled to take place on 7 August in a solemn and festive ceremony.

The year 2025 has been declared by the Romanian Patriarchate as the Commemorative Year of the Patriarchate’s Centenary and the Memorial Year of Romanian Orthodox Spiritual Fathers and Confessors of the 20th Century, marking a significant milestone in the history of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Saints Paisie Olaru and Cleopa Ilie were canonized by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church in July 2024, with their feast day established on 2 December.

Source: basilica.ro