Romanian monasteries host major feasts for Saint John Jacob and Ceahlău

Religious celebrations marking the feast of Saint John Jacob were held at a newly built monastic complex in Neamț County. Services included the Priveghere, Acatist, and Holy Liturgy, with the choir of Văratec Monastery performing. Patriarchal Bishop‑vicar of the Romanian Orthodox Church urged the faithful to follow the saint’s spiritual example, and the monastery’s senior nun and abbot received the “Crucea Sfântului Ierarh Dosoftei” award.

At Ceahlău Monastery, dozens of pilgrims arrived from across Moldavia and other parts of Romania for the hram of the “Change of the Face of the Savior.” The Holy Liturgy was celebrated by Preasfințitul Părinte Nectarie de Bogdania and a clergy team on a podium near the church. The sermon highlighted the mountain’s symbolism of the Christian spiritual ascent, urging believers to persevere in prayer and repentance.