Paphnutius the Iconographer canonization

(Basilica.ro) - The official liturgical proclamation of the canonization of Venerable Paphnutius the Iconographer will take place this Sunday, on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The glorification of the newest Romanian Orthodox saint will be celebrated at Robaia Monastery in the Archdiocese of Argeș and Muscel, following the Divine Liturgy.

The liturgical program will begin on Saturday, August 5, with the All-Night Vigil for the feast being celebrated at the monastery’s summer altar. The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated the following day by a number of Romanian hierarchs, followed by the official proclamation of the canonization of the God-pleasing Paphnutius, Pârvu (Slavic Пpъвъ, meaning the first born child) Pârvescu in the world.

The proclamation will include the reading of the official Synodal Tomos of canonization, the presentation of the icon of the new saint, and the intonation of his troparion. His official feast will be the following day, August 7.

As previously reported, a meeting of the Synod of the Metropolis of Muntenia and Dobrudja was held in late May, at which a number of documents were adopted in view of the future glorification of Monk Paphnutius (1657-1735). The metropolis’ request was approved at the July 4-5 session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Church.

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Iconographer Pârvu Mutu (1657-1735) was a representative of the so-called Brâncovenesc style, which prevailed, in Romanian iconography in the end of the seventeenth and first half of the eighteenth centuries. He was the sixth son of an Orthodox priest, John Pârvescu. He began working as an artist-iconographer from the age of twelve. After the death of his wife, he was tonsured as a monk, taking the name Paphnutius.

“His designation as ‘Mute’ does not mean that he was truly quiet by character, but that his life was always adorned with prayer and silence,” said Patriarch Daniel, emphasizing the particularity of St. Paphnutius’ monastic labours.