“We are delighted by the approval of the canonization of all sixteen saints, but we especially welcome with great devotion, gratitude, and spiritual joy this decision to approve the canonization of the two fathers from Sihăstria Monastery, Venerable Paisie Olaru and Venerable Cleopa Ilie,” Archimandrite Arsenie Popa, abbot of Sihăstria Monastery, told Basilica.ro.
“The pilgrims of Sihăstria Monastery have been waiting for this decision for a long time. Even after seven years, they often asked us if there were any plans for exhumation or canonization, and we told them that we already considered them saints. One of the criteria for canonizing saints is the faithful’s devotion towards these saints,” the archimandrite emphasized.
“God, through the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, has made this decision which brings us great joy.”
“As a monastery, we cannot make decisions without the approval of the higher authorities in our Church, but we also expect the exhumation of the two fathers from Sihăstria. We know that their reliquaries are being prepared, and we are getting ready to receive the relics of these two saints in the monastery’s main Church,” continued the abbot of Sihăstria Monastery.
Protectors of the monastic community
“We are grateful for these fathers. The name of Sihăstria became well-known primarily because of them. Whenever I felt weaker or powerless, I asked for their help. And the other fathers do the same. They go to the monastery’s cemetery, pray at the graves of these two saints, and perhaps at other fathers’ graves to whom they were devoted,” added Archimandrite Arsenie Popa.
“Their simple yet devout lives, a life of asceticism, prayer, love for God and neighbor, have made Sihăstria Monastery grow and develop spiritually and materially.”
“We continue to ask for the prayers of these saints because we believe they are alive and, loving the monastery and its inhabitants, they continue to take care of us,” the abbot added.
“We try to follow their example. Of course, we often feel far surpassed by their holy lives compared to our own now, but we do not despair. On the contrary, we have great hope in the intercession of these two saints.”
“We invite all the faithful who have had devotion to these two saints or wish to learn about their lives to come to Sihăstria, to venerate, and to experience the atmosphere of holiness that can be felt both in the church and at the graves in the cemetery where their earthly remains currently reside,” further conveyed the abbot of Sihăstria Monastery.
Photography courtesy of Doxologia.ro / Bogdan Bulgariu
Source: basilica.ro