Fr. Ilie Cleopa (en)

Father Cleopa Ilie at the beginning of the communist regime

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the man who was the confessor of Moldavia and all of Romania at a time of great trials for the Romanian people. Raised spiritually under the protection of Abbot Ioanichie Moroi, who had the experience of Athonite life, Brother Constantine, later monk Cleopa Ilie, became one of the landmarks of Romanian spirituality at a time when Romanian monasticism needed to be revived and strengthened for the coming period.

Father Cleopa Ilie of Sihăstria in the Securitate documents

Such a subject has been raised before, but each time it seems to be inexhaustible as long as we find new testimonies in the archives of the former organs of repression. A less well-known period is that of Father Cleopatra’s return to his monastery of origin after his third refuge in the mountains and the amnesty for political prisoners in 1964. The Sihăstria monastery was threatened with demolition, but perhaps the wisdom of Father Paisie Olaru prevailed and the monastery was turned into a home for elderly monks.

Father Cleopa Ilie – A waterfall of grace

Father Cleopas is a windy, rugged shepherd who grew up in a monastery and became the most respected figure of Orthodox asceticism and spirituality. There is no one like him. With a brilliant mind, a fabulous memory, a huge soul, a great gift of speaking, this shepherd became a living synthesis of all the Eastern saints and fathers. He is a cascade of grace, wisdom and power, flowing through powerful prayer and Spirit-breathed speech. There is no more complete confessor than he. He is an impressive personality, famous even abroad, for some foreigners have come to ask him what grace […]

Abbot Cleopa’s second retreat to the mountains (1952-1954)

Until the spring of 1952, Slatina Monastery flourished and was one of the best organised monasteries in the country. It had more than 80 inhabitants, 60 of them young people. The faithful came on holidays to listen to the holy services and the sermons of Father Cleopa, who moved the hearts of all. Everything was peaceful and orderly. Then, in silence, Father Cleopas said to his disciples: I am here in Slatina only with my body, but with my soul I am still in Sihăstria, where I was a monk and lived for so many years. But the devil, who […]

In the basement of the Securitate

The old man said: Once I was arrested by the Securitate of the Slatina monastery and then taken to Fălticeni. There I was beaten and put in a cellar where several hundred light bulbs were burning. Everyone who went in there came out almost mad. They also beat me to make me lose my mind. I couldn’t see with my eyes and I couldn’t stand the heat. Then I lowered my mind to my heart with the prayer of Jesus. After an hour they took me out and they were all surprised that I was still talking and walking without […]

Father Cleopas was a man of patience

Throughout his life, Fr. Cleopa was a man of patience and long-suffering. It was only through patience, perseverance and prayer that he was able to win so many souls for Christ, and he guided the monasteries entrusted to him for years. Followed and watched by the Securitate, he neither feared nor hated anyone, because he had Christ in his soul and knew that without patience, evil sufferings and temptations we cannot be saved. For this reason, when a priest came to him in distress and asked him for advice, he reminded him of the words of the great confessor Vichentie […]