Fr. Dometie Manolache (en)

“What impressed me most about him was his lack of interest in acquiring and keeping material possessions and his evangelical simplicity”

Born into a family of 12 children in the Buzăului area, Father Dometie grew up in the atmosphere of faith and piety of our villages of yesteryear, where people lived their lives according to the tradition of the Church, through massive participation in Liturgy on Sundays and holidays, baptisms, weddings and funerals, as well as respect for local traditions. Today we know better than in the past that the family and social environment of our childhood years, in which our character is formed, is a determining factor for the rest of our lives. Father Dometie was a man of integrity […]

Father Dometie Manolache, Saint of Râmeț. Dialogue with His Eminence Serafim Joantă, Father Stelian Manolache and Mr. Costion Nicolescu

Forty years ago, on the 6th of July 1975, Father Dometie Manolache died in Râmeț, with a sack of bread on his back, the one who rebuilt this monastery, not only putting bricks and mortar in it, but also a lot of grace that came from a mad love for God. This confessor of the Moors, who came from the Bărăgan, was loved by everyone, from Father Arsenie Boca to John Alexander. They all saw in him a man of God, capable of the sacrifice that only saints can make. In winter, in the courtyard of the Râmeț monastery, the […]

Father Dometie – chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit

An ancient spiritual settlement in Apuseni Mountains of Transylvania, Râmeț Monastery takes its name from the hermits who lived here in the past. The stone church of the monastery is built on the Healing Spring, a source of miraculous water, which is still found today in the Holy Altar, before the Holy Liturgy, and from which many believers come to take water for sanctification and healing. Throughout history, the monastery has experienced many hardships and trials, and was abandoned during the Second World War.

Patriarch of the mountains. Interview with Mother Eudoxia, sister of Father Dometie from Râmeț

I rushed to Râmeț Monastery immediately after receiving a beautiful letter signed by Mother Eudoxia Manolache. With a neat handwriting, but above all with a special gift of the traditional Romanian language, Mother Eudoxia called us to share the joy of the memory of the great monk Dometie Manolache, who – in times of great persecution – revived Râmeți. When we found out that Mother Eudoxia was Father Dometie’s sister, and especially when we found out that she lived in his chapel, which has remained unchanged, we immediately got into the car. Obviously we didn’t regret it…

Father Dometie, our spiritual father

Lord Jesus Christ, make me worthy and give me the strength to testify here with my simple words about Father Dometie, our confessor. In the monastery of Râmeț in the Apuseni Mountains, and especially in the whole of Transylvania, his memory is alive. Through him, God worked and shared peace, peace of mind and forgiveness of sins. Through him, all who sought him and asked for his prayer and advice saw God. In Romania, too, there is a great thirst for God. Father gave his life, his heart and his mind to our Heavenly Father, entrusted himself into His hands […]

Father Dometie – “a perfect spiritual father, perfect in every way”

He worked hard and died in duty on the altar of faith, before he had completed the spiritual mission for which he had prepared himself with love and zeal, being, in my humble opinion, a true Martyr, for he worked without interest in the material side, looking forward to the spiritual life and the satisfaction of serving our Lord Jesus Christ, whom he loved so much, a love that was evident in the services and sermons he gave. For several years I had the opportunity to take part in the services of the Great Week of Easter, to receive the […]

Sketch of an icon of Father Dometie

Preacher. After each Liturgy he would preach with fervour and with a special power of conviction, based on his personal life and example. On Sundays and feast days, he would begin the Holy Liturgy at five o’clock, after which he would give a short discourse on the power of this sacrament. He would then hear the confessions of those who had not gone to confession the previous evening. When the weather was fine, because of the crowds, he would celebrate Mass outside at the altar under the pleached willow tree. Also because of the crowds, Communion lasted an hour or […]