The Holy Synod of the Romanian Patriarchate approved the proposals for the canonization of sixteen new saints, most of them confessors, martyrs and ascetics of the 20th century.
The 16 new saints include:
•Archimandrite Sofian Boghiu, abbot of St Anthimos Monastery in Bucharest, with the title Confessor Saint Sofian of St Anthimos Monastery, commemorated on September 16;
•Father Dumitru Stăniloae, theology professor in Sibiu and Bucharest, with the title the Holy Confessor Priest Dumitru Stăniloae, commemorated on October 4;
•Father Constantin Sârbu, with the title the Holy Priest-Martyr Constantine Sârbu, commemorated on October 23;
•Protosyncellus Arsenie Boca, with the title Confessor Saint Arsenius of Prislop, commemorated on November 28;
•Father Ilie Lăcătușu, with the title the Holy Confessor Priest Elijah Lăcătușu, commemorated on July 22;
•Hieroschemamonk Paisie Olaru, confessor of Sihăstria Monastery, with the title Saint Paisius of Sihăstria, commemorated on December 2;
•Archimandrite Cleopa Ilie, abbot of Sihăstria Monastery, with the title Saint Cleopas of Sihăstria, commemorated on December 2;
•Archimandrite Dometie Manolache, with the title Saint Dometius the Merciful of Râmeț, commemorated on July 6;
•Archimandrite Serafim Popescu, abbot of Sâmbăta de Sus Monastery, with the title Saint Seraphim the Enduring of Sâmbăta de Sus, commemorated on December 20;
•Father Liviu Galaction Munteanu, theology professor in Cluj-Napoca, with the title the Holy Priest-Martyr Liviu Galaction of Cluj, commemorated on March 8;
•Archimandrite Gherasim Iscu, abbot of Tismana Monastery, with the title Venerable Martyr Gerasimus of Tismana, commemorated on December 26;
•Archimandrite Visarion Toia, abbot of Lainici Monastery, with the title Venerable Martyr Bessarion of Lainici, commemorated on November 10;
•Protosyncellus Calistrat Bobu, confessor at Timișeni Monastery and Vasiova Monastery, with the title Saint Callistratus of Timișeni and Vasiova, commemorated on May 10;
•Father Ilarion Felea, theology professor in Arad, with the title the Holy Priest-Martyr Hilarion Felea, commemorated on September 18;
•Protosyncellys Iraclie Flocea, exarch of the monasteries of the Archdiocese of Chișinău, with the title Saint Heraclius of Bessarabia, commemorated on August 3;
•Archpriest Alexandru Baltaga with the title the Holy Priest-Martyr Alexander of Bessarabia, commemorated on August 8.
Among the new saints there are three professors of theology who will be honored as martyrs – the famous throughout the Orthodox world Fr. Dumitru Staniloae (1903 – 1993), who will be honored on October 4, Fr. Hilarion Felea (1903 – 1961), professor of theology in the city of Arad, whose memory will be celebrated on September 18, and Fr. Liviu Galaction Munteanu (1898 – 1961), professor of theology in Cluj-Napoca (March 8).
In hagiology section will also be included Archim Cleopas (Ilie) – abbot of the “Sikhastiria” monastery, whose memory will be celebrated on December 2, as well as another brother of this monastery – Hieroshimonk Paisius (Olaru), whose memory will also be celebrated on December 2.
The liturgical texts in their memory are about to be completed, and the canonization itself will take place at the next meeting of the Holy Synod.
Source: Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate
Illustrative Photo: The historical church “Dormition of the Virgin” at the monastery of Brâncoveanu, Sâmbăta de Sus/Sibiu, Romania