Romania: Beautiful reliquary being built for St. Cleopa of Sihăstria

Romania, April 10, 2025

Photo: basilica.ro

A beautiful new reliquary is being made for Archimandrite Cleopa (Ilie)Cleopa (Ilie), Archimandrite

“>St. Cleopa of Sihăstria, who was 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.”>canonized by the Romanian Orthodox Church last year along with 15 others last year.

The new home for the precious relics of St. Cleopa is being designed by iconographer Ana-Maria Zară, who recently posted images of the project, reports the Basilica News Agency.

“The memories of his spiritual steps through Romanian monastic spirituality will be inlaid in silver lines,” the artist writes.

Photo: basilica.ro “Each scene tries to be an echo of the gentle voice that resounded firmly among the ancient oaks in the forests of Moldova.”

The chiseling is being done by hand by the nuns at the Patriarchate’s workshop at Pasărea Monastery. Their work will “transform these artistic endeavors into a lasting testimony of the Light that shines through the humility and unwavering faith of the great spiritual father,” Zară said.

The same artist also designed the reliquary for The Great Elder Paisie (Olaru), Part 1He received anyone who knocked on the door of his cell—always, at any time. He would hear confessions without stopping, for several days in a row, day and night. No one knew when he slept or ate.

“>St. Paisie of Sihăstria, who was St. Cleopa’s spiritual father, as well as the reliquary for Fr. Dumitru StaniloaeStaniloae, Fr. Dumitru”>St. Dumitru Stăniloae, whose relics were uncovered Exhumation of relics of Sts. Dumitru Stăniloae and Sofian (Boghiu)The relics of two great 20th-century Romanian confessors were solemnly uncovered at monasteries near Bucharest on Monday.”>in July.