The Romanian Orthodox Church has announced the discovery of the relics of St. Philothea of Râmeț, a recently canonized ascetic and the mother of a well-known Romanian Orthodox monk. The ceremony of uncovering the relics took place at Râmeț Monastery in western Romania, according to the Church news outlet basilica.ro.

The rite of uncovering the saint’s remains was carried out after a liturgical service and took place in the presence of clergy as well as medical and anthropology specialists. Following the ceremony, the relics were solemnly transferred in a procession to the monastery’s main church, where they will be placed for permanent veneration by the faithful.

Archbishop Irineu (Pop) of Alba Iulia said the monastery had received “a new spiritual treasure,” noting that the relics will be kept alongside those of Philothea’s son, St. Dometius the Merciful of Râmeț, a monk and spiritual father canonized by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 2024. St. Dometius became known for his ministry at Râmeț Monastery in the 1960s, where he helped revive monastic life and served the surrounding communities.

St. Philothea—born Filica Manolache—lived from 1896 to 1989. Together with her husband she raised twelve children, many of whom dedicated their lives to the Church. After her husband’s death, she settled at Râmeț Monastery, where she later took monastic vows and spent her final years in prayer and ascetic devotion.

In 2025, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church formally canonized her and established her feast day on July 6. Her glorification was part of broader church celebrations honoring Romanian saints and spiritual figures of the 20th century.

Monastery representatives say that for the local community, St. Philothea remains a powerful example of a Christian mother and nun, remembered for her patience, compassion, and deep faith. Her relics will now remain permanently in the monastery church alongside those of her son, allowing pilgrims and believers to venerate both saints together.