16 holy women canonized by Romanian Orthodox Church

Bucharest, July 2, 2025

St. Anastasia Șaguna, mother of Holy Hierarch Andrei Șaguna, is among the newly canonized women. Photo: doxologia.ro St. Anastasia Șaguna, mother of Holy Hierarch Andrei Șaguna, is among the newly canonized women. Photo: doxologia.ro The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church approved the canonization of 16 holy women yesterday, including martyrs, nuns, the wives of rulers, mothers of saints, and confessors.

The decision comes in anticipation of the Commemorative Year of Holy Women, which will be celebrated in 2026 in the Romanian Church. Their liturgical glorification will likely take place on the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women next year.

The women saints thus join 16 male martyrs, confessors, and ascetics of the 20th century canonized by the Romanian Church in 2024.

The names of 11 of the 16 women were already revealed when they were proposed for canonization by local Metropolitan Synods. These include four who were proposed by the Synod of the Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina:

  • Schemanun Maura of Mount Ceahlău (17th-18th centuries), a great hesychast hermit; feast day on May 4

  • Schemanun Nazaria, first abbess of Văratec Monastery—disciple of St. Basil of Poiana Mărului, St. Paisius Velichkovsky of Neamț, and St. Joseph of Văratec; August 17

  • Schemanun Olimpiada, founder and benefactor of Văratec Monastery (1757-1842)—disciple of St. Paisius Velichkovsky of Neamț, St. Joseph of Văratec, and Venerable Nazaria of Văratec; August 17

  • Schemanun Elisabeta (Safta) Brâncoveanu, resident of Văratec Monastery; August 17

And one jointly proposed by the Synod of the Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina and the Synod of the Metropolis of Bessarabia:

  • Blondina Gobjilă (1906-1971), also known as Mama Blondina, a confessor from the communist period who was exiled to Siberia for 15 years; commemorated as Confessor Blondina of Iași on May 24

Six more were proposed by the Synod of the Metropolis of Muntenia and Dobrogea:

  • Lady Maria Brâncoveanu (†1729), wife of St. Constantine Brâncoveanu; August 16

  • Schemanun Filofteia Antonescu from Pasărea Monastery (†1833), mother of St. Calinic of Cernica; April 12

  • Nun-Martyr Evloghia Țârlea from Samurcășești Monastery (†1949); December 19

  • Schemanun Elisabeta Lazăr from Pasărea Monastery (†2014)

  • Nun Platonida (Lady Despina Milița) (†1554), wife of Voivode St. Neagoe Basarab; September 26

  • Măndalina (or Magdalena) Milenco (†1962), a worthy and industrious believer of the Romanian community from Mălainița, of the Timoc Vicariate in Serbia; October 15

The other five canonized yesterday are:

  • Olimpia Tănase (1880-1967), mother of Venerable Petroniu of Prodromu; July 4

  • Anastasia Șaguna (1785-1836), mother of Holy Hierarch Andrei Șaguna; December 1

  • Nun Filotimia Manolache from Râmeț Monastery (1896-1989), mother of Venerable Dometie the Merciful of Râmeț; July 6

  • Nun Antonina Diaconu from Tismana Monastery (1923-2011); December 23

  • Nun Matrona Ciupelea, abbess of Hurezi Monastery (1852-1935); May 5

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7/2/2025

See also
Six more holy women proposed for canonization in Romanian Church Six more holy women proposed for canonization in Romanian Church Six more holy women proposed for canonization in Romanian Church Six more holy women proposed for canonization in Romanian Church
Last year, the Romanian Church canonized 16 male martyrs, confessors, and ascetics of the 20th century, and 2026 has already been designated as the Commemorative Year of Holy Women (Myrrh-bearers, Martyrs, ascetics, wives, and mothers). Holy Women of Romania Holy Women of Romania
Ascetics and Confessors Proposed for Canonization Holy Women of Romania Holy Women of Romania
Ascetics and Confessors Proposed for Canonization
On June 19, the Synod of the Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina proposed four nuns for canonization: Schemanun Maura of Mount Ceahlău, Schemanun Nazaria, Schemanun Olimpiada and Schemanun Elisabeta (Safta) Brâncoveanu. Romanian Church begins process of canonizing holy women Romanian Church begins process of canonizing holy women Romanian Church begins process of canonizing holy women Romanian Church begins process of canonizing holy women
Last year, the Romanian Church canonized 16 male martyrs, confessors, and ascetics of the 20th century.

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