Banat, Romania, September 29, 2021
Fr. Calistrat (left), Fr. Ilarion (right). Photo: basilica.ro
At a future session, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church will examine the case for the canonization of Protosyncellus Fr. Calistrat (Bobu) (†1975) and Fr. Ilarion Felea (†1961).
The hierarchs of the Metropolis of Banat gathered on Saturday, September 25, and after examining the relevant information, resolved to send the files for Fr. Calistrat and Fr. Ilarion on for examination by the Holy Synod of the entire Romanian Church, reports the Metropolis of Banat.
The Romanian Church’s Basilica News Agency gives biographical information on these holy priests:
Protosyncellus Calistrat Bobu from Vasiova Monastery (1900–1975) was a renowned missionary priest in Banat. He was born in Burdujeni, Suceava. He entered monastic life at Sihăstria Monastery in Neamt County. In 1942, he was sent as a missionary priest to Banat. For 33 years, Father Calistrat was a torch always burning for the monks and the faithful of Banat. For the humility and meekness of his heart, he received from God the gift of healing and casting out unclean spirits.
Father Ilarion Felea (1903-1961) was a Romanian priest known as “the spiritual father of youth” in Arad. In 1938, he was appointed professor at the dogmatics and apologetics department of the Arad theological academy, where he taught until it was shut down in 1948. The communist regime sentenced him to 20 years in prison for “intense activity against the working class and the revolutionary movement”. The official reason was that he did not preach the so-called “fight for peace.” Initially held at Gherla prison, he was taken to Aiud, where he died in 1961. The cause of death was a rapidly progressing colon cancer left untreated; he was buried in a common grave for prisoners.
The news about Fr. Ilarion is “gratifying for those who knew him and who read his biography and pastoral-missionary theological work,” commented Fr. Cristinel Ioja, dean of the Orthodox Theological Faculty in Arad, which is named for Fr. Ilarion.
He was and is known for his spiritual, theological, and liturgical works, as well as his philanthropy, mercy towards the poor, orphans, and war widows, and his gift of prayer and confession, Fr. Cristinel emphasized.
In February, the Romanian Synod announced that it intends to canonize a dozen elders and confessors who suffered under communism in 2025 to mark the 140th anniversary of autocephaly and the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Patriarchate.
Five names were previously revealed: Elder Cleopa (Ilie), Fr. Dumitru Stăniloae, Elder Gherasim (Iscu), Elder Paisie (Olaru), and Elder Dionisie (Ignat).
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