The Romanian Orthodox Church has formally proclaimed the canonization of 16 Romanian women saints whose lives span more than five centuries of the nation’s history and the life of the Church. The solemn ceremony took place on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, according to the official website of the Romanian Patriarchate.

The Divine Liturgy was presided over by Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church, concelebrating with members of the Holy Synod. At the conclusion of the service, the official act of canonization—the tomos—was read aloud by the Patriarchal Vicar, Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești. The service was broadcast live on Trinitas TV and on the Patriarchate’s official media platforms.

In the text of the tomos, the newly canonized women are described as “spiritual mothers of the Romanian people.” They represent a wide range of historical periods and life paths, including martyrs, monastics, confessors of the faith, pious mothers, and the wives and mothers of rulers. The earliest of the saints lived in the 15th century, while the most recent, Saint Elizabeth of Păsărea, reposed in 2014.

The Patriarchate emphasized that the decision to canonize these women was adopted by the Holy Synod in July 2025 and marked an important moment in the spiritual life of the Romanian Orthodox Church. Bishop Varlaam noted that their lives cover more than 500 years of history, “from Venerable Platonida of Argeș in the 15th century to Venerable Elizabeth of Păsărea, who fell asleep in the Lord in 2014.” He also highlighted the remarkable social diversity among them, ranging “from simple women of the people to the wives of rulers.”

In his address, Patriarch Daniel stressed that many of the newly canonized saints were wives and mothers who bore witness to Christian faith through everyday family life. “They sanctified their lives through humility, sacrificial love, patience, and courageous testimony of faith,” he said. Among those mentioned was Princess Maria Brâncoveanu, who raised eleven children, as well as humble women from the people whose families gave new saints to the Church.

Alongside the canonization, the Church established a new universal feast—the Synaxis of the Holy Romanian Women—which will be celebrated annually on the third Sunday after Pascha. Icons of the newly glorified saints were also presented, and the liturgical texts dedicated to them were officially approved.