St. Irodion of Lainici celebrated

in the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada

May 3, 2022

On Tuesday, May 3, St. George's Diocesan Cathedral of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada dressed in festive attire. St. Irodion, the Evening Star of Lainici, by the presence of his relics, delighted those present at the Divine Liturgy.

The service of the Divine Liturgy was performed by His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian, who was accompanied by Rev. Fr. Protos. Maxim Morariu.

In his speech at the end of the Divine Liturgy, the hierarch said: “It is a great joy for us in the Diocese of Canada to celebrate this feast day. St. Irodion is part of the tradition of the great hesychasts of the Romanian Orthodox Church, started with St. Basil of Poiana Mărului and continued by St. Paisie of Neamt, St. George of Cernica, St. Gregory the Teacher and St. Irodion of Lainci . We are also thinking in this context about the later spiritual movement of the Burning Bush at Antim Monastery. This is how a spiritual tradition is embodied in the words and practice of spiritual people.

St. Irodion of Lainici was a humble man, a true monk, a lover of brothers, merciful to the poor, unwilling to judge, watching on himself, sleeping only 3-4 hours a night, and making hundreds of prostrations. Here is a model from whom one should draw inspiration.

He was called ‘the Morning Star’ not by chance but because he shone in the practice of hesychastic prayer and spiritual virtues such as casting out demons and spiritual discernment. St. Irodion is an example of a holy and spiritual person.

At this occasion we would like to thank His Eminence Metropolitan Irineu of Oltenia and Rev. Fr. Ioachim Pârvulescu for the gift of a particle from the Holy Relics of St. Irodion of Lainici made on May 3, 2018 on the occasion of the saint's celebration. "

The faithful present at the Divine Liturgy were able to venerate alongside the holy relics of St. Irodion of Lainici, St. Constantine Brancoveanu, St. Gregory the Teacher (donated by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel) and St. Andrew the Apostle relics (donated by His Eminence Laurențiu, Metropolitan of Transylvania).