Fărcașa, Neamț County, Romania, May 20, 2026
Photo: doxologia.ro
The remains of St. Olympiada of Fărcașa, mother of St. Petroniu of Prodromou Skete on Mt. Athos, were solemnly uncovered on Monday in the village of Fărcașa, Neamț County, Romania.
The rite was attended by His Grace Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe, His Grace Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani from the Archdiocese of Iași, Archimandrite Petroniu (Marin), who serves as Exarch of the Monasteries in the Neamț region, and members of the saint’s family, including her grandchildren, reports the Basilica News Agency.
After the uncovering, a prayer service took place at the local St. Nicholas Church. Bp. Nichifor then delivered remarks about the saint’s life and character.
“She possessed this firm anchor—the Orthodox faith—which accompanied her throughout her life and which she passed on to her eight children. Among them was St. Petroniu, glorified among the saints before her, who himself bore witness to the righteous life of his mother,” the bishop said.
He described her as both physically and spiritually strong, noting her dedication to farm work and weekly charitable activities.
“A strong woman, physically robust, she also proved to possess a strong soul, a soul tested not because she lamented having many children, but because she understood how to live her life with diligence … and preparing the charitable offerings she distributed every Saturday,” Bp. Nichifor said.
“But she was strong not only in body, but also in spirit, because she cared equally for the word of prayer, the word of faith, and for bringing joy to others,” he added.
“Because her body was a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, we venerate her remains as holy relics. From her holy relics, we pray to receive strength and wisdom through their touch... And when sufferings come upon our own bodies, just as she endured them for three years, may we pass through them with the same courage, self-sacrifice, and faith,” the hierarch said.
Photo: doxologia.ro
St. Olympiada was canonized by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church on July 1, 2025, with her feast day set for July 4. She was canonized alongside 15 other Romanian women. A general proclamation ceremony for all 16 women took place on February 6 of this year at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest.
On Sunday, a local proclamation ceremony was held in Iași for St. Blandina of Iași.
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