Cernica, Ilfov County, Romania, October 2, 2026
Photo: basilica.ro
Cernica Monastery has installed a new canopy over the reliquary holding the relics of St. Dumitru Stăniloae, one of the most celebrated Orthodox theologians of the 20th century, whose works have been widely translated into English.
An icon of the saint, who was canonized by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 2024, stands alongside the canopy. Done in white, red, and gold, the new decorative piece is dominated by carved columns, floral motifs, and a broad pediment.
The monastery acquired the canopy in time for St. Dumitru’s feast, which will be celebrated at Cernica this Sunday.
St. Dumitru’s relics were uncovered at Cernica Monastery in late July 2024, just two weeks after his canonization. The monastery held the local celebration of his canonization in October 2025.
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St. Dumitru was born on November 16, 1903, in Vlădeni, Braşov County.
He studied theology at the University of Chernivtsi, where he wrote on the baptism of children. He then studied dogmatics and Church history in Athens.
In the fall of 1928, he defended his doctoral thesis on Patriarch Dositheos of Jerusalem and his connections with the Romanian lands at the University of Chernivtsi.
He then went to study in Berlin, Paris, and Belgrade, with a focus on Byzantinology and dogmatics and documentation of the original work of St. Gregory Palamas.
Upon his return to Romania, he was assigned as a substitute professor at the Andreiene Theological Academy, where he remained for 17 years.
On October 5, 1930, he married his wife Maria. Two years later, he was ordained to the priesthood, and another year later, on October 8, his daughter Lidia was born.
In June 1936, he was appointed rector of the Theological Academy of Sibiu. He remained in this position until 1946. It was during this time that he translated the first volume of the Romanian Philokalia. He was then transferred to the Faculty of Theology at the University of Bucharest, to the chair of ascetic and mystical theology.
He was arrested on September 4, 1958, and taken to Aiud Prison. He was released five years later and began working as a clerk at the library of the Holy Synod.
He became a corresponding member of the Romanian Academy in 1990, and a full member in 1991. He received honorary titles from several universities throughout the world.
St. Dumitru reposed in the Lord on October 5, 1993.
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