St Constantine Sârbu remembered for discreet charity at Bucharest canonisation ceremony

The local proclamation of the canonisation of the Priest-Martyr Saint Constantine Sârbu took place last Friday, 23 October, at Mihai Vodă Monastery in Bucharest. In a message delivered for the occasion, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel highlighted the saint’s discreet philanthropy.

The solemn proclamation was preceded by the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the monastery’s outdoor altar by Archbishop Casian of Lower Danube, together with Bishop Ignatie of Huși, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishops Varlaam of Ploiești and Paisie of Sinaia, and Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova of the Archdiocese of Bucharest.

Archbishop Casian presented the synodal act proclaiming the canonisation of St Constantin Sârbu.

An unknown benefactor Patriarch Daniel highlighted the saint’s love for his neighbours during an exceptionally difficult period for the Romanian people.

“Because true almsgiving is done in secret, St Constantine Sârbu chose to be an unknown benefactor.”

“He kept meticulous records of elderly people who had been left without pensions or support and sought them out across Bucharest so that he could send them assistance regularly.”

“He did not permit begging at the church gates,…