Holy Priest-Martyr Hilarion Felea; St. Eumenes, Bishop of Gortyna; Martyr Ariadne of Phrygia

Orthodox Calendar September 18 Holy Priest-Martyr Hilarion Felea He was a Romanian priest who became the confessor of the youth in the Transylvanian city of Arad. He was sentenced by the communist regime to 20 years in prison for “intense activity against the working class and the revolutionary movement”, i.e. for not preaching in the communist spirit. He died in the Aiud communist prison for lack of medical care.

Fathers Ilarion Felea and Dumitru Stăniloae, imprisoned by the communist regime, were the spiritual leaders of the Aiud political prisoners. Later, Father Stăniloae said that Father Felea surpassed him in terms of inner life: “I translated the Philocalia, but he lived it”.

Both priests were canonized by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 2024 .

Saint Eumenius

From the time of his youth he was noted for his virtuous life. He strove to serve the One God and therefore he shunned worldly temptations. Concerned for the salvation of his soul, he distributed all his substance to the poor.

By the blessing of God Saint Eumenius was chosen as Bishop of Gortyna on the island of Crete. The saint, like a compassionate father, comforted his flock in their sorrows, and…