Marin Naidim – The discreet hesychast of Aiud

Marin Naidim dominated by his behaviour, his culture – made in prison – and a great capacity to love everyone around him.  In the bedroom where Naidim was, there was a unique atmosphere. It was the same in the teams where he worked. A conflict, which is common in prison, was impossible with Marin Naidim! He overcame it with a skill worthy of a professional diplomat.

Unlike other long-imprisoned brothers of the Cross, Naidim was also well-balanced in that he kept a humble record of his religious life. Only a keen observer could notice Naidim’s moments of absence, when he prayed or on days of fasting. In all his actions he was extremely discreet, and in religious discussions he did not try to impose his point of view. But he did impose it by his unobtrusive actions.

This was the Romanian peasant. Marin Naidim had all the attributes of the Romanian peasant, combined with intellectual refinement. In all fields – philosophy, literature, theology, art – Naidim had precise information, which he expressed in a low voice, modest and ready to listen to a contrary opinion without interfering.

(Gabriel Bălănescu – From the Kingdom of Death. Pages from the History of the Iron Guard, Gordian Publishing House, Timișoara, 1994, p. 165)