Barlaam of Moldova and John of Romania - which saints are honored on September 12: traditions and signstranslated

On September 12, Orthodox believers in Moldova honor the memory of two famous church figures of the 17th century - St. Varlaam, Metropolitan of Moldova, and St. John of Risca and Seku, Bishop of Romania. Varlaam went down in history as an educator and publisher of the first book in Romanian printed in Moldova, and John was the abbot of several monasteries, the bishop of Khush and Roman and a close associate of Metropolitan Dosotheus. We tell you who these saints were, what they became famous for, what is customary to do on the day of their memory, and what folk signs are associated with September 12.

What church holiday is celebrated on September 12

In the church calendar, which is followed by the Orthodox Church of Moldova according to the old style, September 12 corresponds to August 30 according to the Julian calendar. On this day they commemorate Saint Barlaam, Metropolitan of Moldova, and Saint John of Riska and Seka, Bishop of Romania.

This is not the anniversary of any particular event in their lives, but a day of church remembrance of two saints. In 2026, September 12 falls on a Saturday; there is no special fast for this day.

On the same day, the church also honors St. Alexander, Patriarch of Constantinople, who lived in…