Râmeț Alba County, Transylvania, Romania, March 19, 2025
Photo: reintregirea.ro
The relics of another one of the Romanian Church’s newly canonized saints of the 20th century were uncovered yesterday.
The uncovering of the relics of St. Dometie of Râmeț at Sts. Peter and Paul Monastery in Râmeț, Transylvania, yesterday is at least the third such solemn event since the canonization of 16 martyrs, confessors, and ascetics of the 20th century, which took place at a Synodal meeting 
Romanian Synod canonizes 16 martyrs, confessors, and ascetics of the 20th-centuryThe Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church formally approved the canonization of more than a dozen martyrs, confessors, and ascetics of the 20th century at its session on July 11–12.
“>in July.
Romania: Relics of newly canonized St. Constantin Sârbu uncoveredThe relics of the holy Hieromartyr Constantin Sârbu were uncovered yesterday during a special service held at the Church of the Holy Wisdom in Bucharest.
“>In December, the relics of St. Constantin Sârbu were uncovered, followed by the uncovering of the relics of St. Calistrat of Timișeni just 
Romania: Relics of newly canonized St. Calistrat of Timișeni uncovered (+VIDEO)The relics of one of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s newly canonized saints were uncovered this week.”>last week.
Yesterday’s colemn ceremony was led by His Eminence Metropolitan Laurențiu of Ardeal and His Eminence Archbishop Irineu of Alba Iulia, reports the Basilica News Agency.
Met. Laurențiu noted the emotion occasioned by the canonization of contemporary saints, whose lives and mission were directly known by those present. Referring to St. Dometie, he described him as a model of self-sacrifice and dignity, living with humility and charity despite life’s difficulties.
“We fondly remember Venerable Dometie, knowing that he was a person full of vitality, although he bore the weight of life, and carried his infirmities with such dignity and dedication; that’s why he received this appellation, this name of Dometie the Merciful,” the Metropolitan added.
And Abp. Irineu said:
The earthly journey of St. Dometie was a sacrificial and enthusiastic offering to the Heavenly Bridegroom, and his charismatic person was a luminous candlestick that walked on the path, dispelling the darkness of evil around him. Now, as a friend of God and citizen of Paradise, St. Dometie of Râmeț intercedes for us and helps us immensely with his prayers and with his honorable relics, which spring forth many blessings.
Abbess Apolinaria highlighted the personality of St. Dometie, emphasizing his virtues, such as kindness, humility, and devotion to his neighbor:
In his presence, we felt the working power of grace. He had goodness, gentleness, mercy, self-sacrifice, sincerity, and simplicity in word, deed, and clothing. He sacrificed himself for his neighbor to such an extent that he placed no value on his own person. Although he had theological training and intellectual capacity, he lowered himself to the level of each person.
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St. Dometie the Merciful of Râmeț is considered one of the greatest Romanian elders of the 20th century. Fr. Dumitru Stăniloae called him “a hero of the faith, a soul of great holiness and purity.”
Fr. Dometie was born on October 15, 1924, in Buzău County. In 1945, he graduated from the seminary in Buzău at the top of his class. He continued his theological studies in Bucharest.
In 1949, he joined Prislop Monastery, having Fr. Arsenie (Boca) as his monastic Godfather. In 1959, he moved to Râmeț Monastery to help consolidate the monastic life. He reposed in the Lord on July 6, 1975.
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