The feast of Saint Hierarch Niphon, Patriarch of Constantinople and Metropolitan of Wallachia, was celebrated in Târgovişte, Romania, on August 10–11, 2026, under the coordination of Archbishop and Metropolitan Nifon. The spiritual events drew more than 20,000 romanian pilgrims from across the country.
The festivities began on August 10 with the Vespers service, followed by a Youth Pilgrimage through the historical center of Târgovişte. This pilgrimage included a procession of the holy relics of Saint Hierarch Niphon, attended by over 4,000 young people, including schoolchildren and students.
On August 11, Metropolitan Nifon celebrated the Divine Liturgy, joined by Varsanufie, Archbishop of Râmnic, Bishop Ieronim of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Dacia Felix (Serbia), Bishop Visarion of Tulcea and Teofil Trotușeanul, Auxiliar Bishop of Archdiocese of Roman and Bacău (Romanian Orthodox Church).
During the celebrations, Metropolitan Nifon launched new volumes published by the Archdiocesan Publishing House. These works aim to promote the Orthodox Church’s message within the Romanian educational system and inspire young people to pursue academic excellence. In recognition of outstanding achievements,
Metropolitan Nifon honored students who earned top marks in the 2025–2026 School Olympiads, Contests, and the National Evaluation and Baccalaureate, along with their mentor teachers.
This year’s events, declarated by the Romanian Orthodox Church The Years of Pastoral Care of the Christian Familyes and the Memorial Year of the Holy Women in the Christian Calendar (myrrh-bearers, martyrs, nuns, wives, and mothers), also included the veneration of the relics of Saint Hierarch Niphon alongside the relics of St. Martyr Philothea of Argeş, which were specially brought in for the occasion.
