Saint Cleopa of Sihăstria
A shepherd who became the greatest preacher of the Romanian Church of the past century. He endured communist persecution hidden in the mountains and always called out: “See you in Heaven!”
- Commemoration
- December 2
- Repose
- † 1998
- Canonization
- 2025
Life
He was born in 1912, in a village in Botoșani, from a family of believing peasants with many children. Of them, several brothers took the path of the monastery. Constantin — as he was called before monasticism — was a shepherd in his youth, and prayed on the hill, alone, with the sheep. From there, from that simplicity, everything started. He entered the Sihăstria Monastery, in the Neamț mountains, and was made a monk with the name Cleopa.
Over time he became abbot, and above all the greatest preacher of the Romanian Church in the past century. He had a massive memory, knew the Scripture and the Holy Fathers by heart, and spoke for hours on end, simply and with fire, so that people never got tired of listening to him. Whoever left, he saw them off with his legendary phrase: “See you in Heaven!”.
He lived through difficult times. Under the communists, because he was pursued by the Securitate, he fled into the forest multiple times and stayed hidden for years on end in the mountains, in dugouts and huts, like a hermit of old, eating what he found and praying unceasingly. That silence from the forest made him even deeper. When he returned, tens of thousands of pilgrims came to Sihăstria just to see him and ask him for a word.
He fell asleep in 1998, on December 2. He was so deeply loved that his memory didn't fade at all, but grew. And in the year 2025 the Romanian Orthodox Church numbered him among the saints, together with his lifelong spiritual father, Saint Paisios Olaru. He is one of our newest and closest saints — a man whom the living still remember.
Holy Venerable Cleopa, you who were a shepherd before becoming the father of multitudes, and who sent everyone off with the words “See you in Heaven!”, pray for me, that I may live in the hope of Heaven even amid troubles. Amen.
Prayer (in simple words)
Holy Venerable Cleopa, you who remained hidden for years in forests and mountains, persecuted for your faith, yet lost neither your peace nor your joy, teach me not to fear when faith brings me hardship. You who spoke for hours on end about Christ with fire and simplicity, kindle in me too the longing for Scripture and prayer. And, just as you sent everyone off with the hope of meeting again in Heaven, help me too to look toward eternity, not toward the passing cares of this life. Amen.
Akathist
Prayers read before any Akathist
Kontakion 1
You who obtained crowns through great struggles, working patience and humility in your souls, Venerable Paisios and Kleopa, you became partakers of the unwaning light, leading to the light of repentance all who praise you, singing: Rejoice, O Father-intercessors of Moldavia!
Oikos 1
You imitated the angels by your way of life, glorious Paisios and Kleopa, for, serving the Lord, you ever fulfilled His commandments with zeal; therefore we sing to you these things:
- Rejoice, offshoot unto the glory of the Lord;
- Rejoice, secret corner of Paradise;
- Rejoice, Paisios, the thrice-blessed;
- Rejoice, Kleopa, inspired by the Holy Spirit;
- Rejoice, mountain with two peaks of heavenly conduct;
- Rejoice, myrrh of great price of the Romanian communities;
- Rejoice, twofold gladness of Sihăstria;
- Rejoice, assembly ordained by God;
- Rejoice, praise and honour of monks;
- Rejoice, adornment of hermits;
- Rejoice, light of all Bukovina;
- Rejoice, glory of the whole Church;
- Rejoice, O Father-intercessors of Moldavia!
Kontakion 2
Seeking the divine will in all things, you set out on the narrow way and reached the City on high, where, receiving the incorruptible inheritance, you sing to God with the choir of the Venerable ones: Alleluia!
Oikos 2
You became a man who holds with the Lord — as your mother said — holy Paisios, and, like a tree planted by a spring, you brought forth in Christ the fruits in which our souls delight, we who cry out to you:
- Rejoice, shoot of piety;
- Rejoice, jewel of the holy life;
- Rejoice, traveller on the path that leads to heaven;
- Rejoice, dweller of the heavenly city;
- Rejoice, image of meekness, comforter in sorrows;
- Rejoice, chosen wheat of the Lord, fruitful in virtue;
- Rejoice, worker of unceasing prayer;
- Rejoice, lampstand of the uncreated light;
- Rejoice, you who from childhood loved stillness;
- Rejoice, you who imitated the life of Saint Sabbas;
- Rejoice, dwelling of the mysteries of the Spirit;
- Rejoice, chosen flower of Paradise;
- Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios!
Kontakion 3
You desired the hermit's life with a young man's zeal, glorious Paisios, and in war you bound yourself by a vow: that if you escaped, you would follow the asceticism of the monks and ever sing to God with the angels: Alleluia!
Oikos 3
Venerable Kleopa, your mother from your childhood entrusted you to the Mother of God, through whom, escaping death, you showed yourself beloved of her Son, to whom you wholly gave yourself; therefore we all sing to you:
- Rejoice, branch of the Vine that is Christ;
- Rejoice, pleasing to the Virgin Mother;
- Rejoice, you whom your Creator chose while still a child;
- Rejoice, you who clung to Him with all your mind;
- Rejoice, vessel of the Spirit, wholly wondrous;
- Rejoice, you who, by your very name, bear the spirit of Elijah;
- Rejoice, you who learned prayer from the brethren;
- Rejoice, you who delighted in it in the night;
- Rejoice, dwelling of the coming of grace;
- Rejoice, ocean of the waters of the Spirit;
- Rejoice, Spirit-bearing seed;
- Rejoice, shoot of our people;
- Rejoice, Venerable Father Kleopa!
Kontakion 4
From a pure root you sprang like a chosen bough, blessed Kleopa, and you rose straight toward Christ like a stately cypress, in no way bending under the wind of tribulations, but ever singing to Christ: Alleluia!
Oikos 4
Swiftly fulfilling your vow, you entered, Venerable Father Paisios, the Skete of Cozancea, where, practising obedience, you gained humility as a treasure, ascending the steps of the virtues; for which you also hear these things:
- Rejoice, torch of pure prayer;
- Rejoice, flame that burns away all sin;
- Rejoice, worker of watchfulness and fasting;
- Rejoice, summit of penetration into the depth of thought;
- Rejoice, sea of humility, cleansing all in it;
- Rejoice, horizon of holiness, shining upon all;
- Rejoice, radiant morning star of clear vision;
- Rejoice, unshaken citadel of vigilance;
- Rejoice, cup full of the wine of knowledge;
- Rejoice, father of hope and of love;
- Rejoice, chamber of every virtue;
- Rejoice, treasury of heavenly gifts;
- Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios!
Kontakion 5
Seeing in Father Kleopa a divine zeal and a great breadth of heart, Venerable Paisios, you wished to have him always near you; and you both bound yourselves by a vow to be inseparable forever and to raise to God the hymn: Alleluia!
Oikos 5
You followed your brethren, wise Father Kleopa, wounded with heavenly longing, and, entering the skete of Sihăstria, you took the angelic habit, walking toward Him whom you desired by the way of ascetic struggles; therefore we praise you:
- Rejoice, soldier unbending in mind;
- Rejoice, chosen one of the mystical wedding;
- Rejoice, tireless worker of the commandments;
- Rejoice, climber of the ladder of the virtues;
- Rejoice, son of obedience, who struck a tree for three days;
- Rejoice, great pillar of patience, by which you conquered;
- Rejoice, you who received the name of an apostle;
- Rejoice, you who imitated his work;
- Rejoice, secret grain prepared for the prosphora;
- Rejoice, treasurer who feed us with teaching;
- Rejoice, you through whom Christ is glorified;
- Rejoice, you through whom the enemy is wounded;
- Rejoice, Venerable Father Kleopa!
Kontakion 6
You lived as a stranger, keeping watch beside the flocks, estranging yourself wholly from the world; for, understanding the mysteries of creation and receiving the divine illuminations, you ascended the mountain of the virtues, Father Kleopa, and sang to Christ: Alleluia!
Oikos 6
Hearing an angelic voice and chant, Venerable Paisios, you made yourself a skete in a glade, and, persevering in fasting and prayers, you grew still in holiness, walking in the footsteps of the hermits; and, coming into their choir, you hear these things:
- Rejoice, hidden ascetic;
- Rejoice, worker of peace;
- Rejoice, lover of solitude;
- Rejoice, guide to the remembrance of death;
- Rejoice, knower of human souls;
- Rejoice, herald of the divine mysteries;
- Rejoice, you who followed the poverty of the Lord;
- Rejoice, you who became a mirror of His love;
- Rejoice, beauty of the choir of monks;
- Rejoice, radiance of ascetic struggles;
- Rejoice, overflowing cup of meekness;
- Rejoice, luminous dwelling of the Trinity;
- Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios!
Kontakion 7
You gained spiritual wisdom, being a teacher of obedience, holy Paisios, and, found ceaselessly in labours, you showed yourself a comforting spiritual father of the monks and of all who sing: Alleluia!
Oikos 7
Showing you a new David, holy Kleopa, the Creator called you from the flocks, and set you as a wise and worthy shepherd of Sihăstria, guiding by the staff of love the community that with thanksgiving says to you:
- Rejoice, holy candle set before the icon;
- Rejoice, you who are never extinguished;
- Rejoice, tested shepherd of the monks;
- Rejoice, most wondrous vessel of election;
- Rejoice, trumpet of the words of the inspired Fathers;
- Rejoice, tree of Paradise, full of divine fruit;
- Rejoice, unerring way of salvation;
- Rejoice, unshaken citadel of deliverance;
- Rejoice, rule of hesychia;
- Rejoice, guide of many communities;
- Rejoice, lover of the name of Jesus;
- Rejoice, beholder of the things on high;
- Rejoice, Venerable Father Kleopa!
Kontakion 8
Giving a rule to the skete of Sihăstria, holy Kleopa, you made it a blossoming garden; and many, like bees, coming to your grace-filled teaching, the communities and the number of hermits increased, all learning to sing: Alleluia!
Oikos 8
The hermits have you as guide and rule, holy Paisios, and the communities of Moldavia as a refuge; for, by your guilelessness and humility, you turned the mind of the cruel persecutor; therefore all with thanksgiving sing to you:
- Rejoice, unerring path;
- Rejoice, you through whom we find the Father;
- Rejoice, skilled physician of souls;
- Rejoice, good counsellor of monks;
- Rejoice, remedy of the ills of body and soul;
- Rejoice, support of the aged and of those in need;
- Rejoice, you who called the grace of the Spirit upon men;
- Rejoice, you who brought thousands of souls to the Lord;
- Rejoice, skilled potter, fashioner of souls;
- Rejoice, good steward of justice and mercy;
- Rejoice, you who are the guardian of Sihăstria;
- Rejoice, you who are the helper of all;
- Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios!
Kontakion 9
Pillar of patience, vessel of hesychia, Father Paisios glorified by the Lord, how shall we proclaim your ineffable heavenly gifts and the multitude of your miracles? For by them you urge all to sing to God: Alleluia!
Oikos 9
The sinners bent their bow against the faith, but you, blessed Father Kleopa, taking courage in Christ, endured their arrows like a brave man and, conquering them all, you now hear from us these things:
- Rejoice, brave one strengthened by the Lord;
- Rejoice, you who speak the truth;
- Rejoice, guardian of the faith of Christians;
- Rejoice, exposer of the lie of the atheists;
- Rejoice, you whose fearless soul amazed us all;
- Rejoice, you who shattered the snares of the enemies;
- Rejoice, strengthener of the weakened flock;
- Rejoice, wondrous teacher of patience;
- Rejoice, partaker in the Passion of the Lord;
- Rejoice, conqueror of the unbelievers;
- Rejoice, flame that burns away all errors;
- Rejoice, radiance of the pure faith;
- Rejoice, Venerable Father Kleopa!
Kontakion 10
Wishing to silence your great boldness in speech, O Father Kleopa, the adversaries of the faith brought persecution upon you; but you, fleeing into the mountains like a bird, kept yourself from their snare, singing: Alleluia!
Oikos 10
You show to all of us a fatherly love, Paisios, our Father, for, after your struggles, you reached the longed-for Paradise, and, receiving grace and the working of miracles, you clearly hear these things:
- Rejoice, most sweet fruit of Paradise;
- Rejoice, our great treasure;
- Rejoice, heavenly man and earthly angel;
- Rejoice, spiritual paradise and garden of the virtues;
- Rejoice, you who lift from us the burden of the soul;
- Rejoice, chosen one of the heavenly Father;
- Rejoice, rain of blessing from the heavens;
- Rejoice, tear that washes away all our sin;
- Rejoice, crown of the ascetics;
- Rejoice, pledge of the mercies of the Lord;
- Rejoice, outpouring of gifts upon us;
- Rejoice, our intercession before the Lord;
- Rejoice, Venerable Father Paisios!
Kontakion 11
You are alive even after death and you pray for the world, Paisios, wise Father, for from heaven you help us still more, ever interceding for us and smoothing our way to the Kingdom, that we may sing with you: Alleluia!
Oikos 11
You became a vessel of the heavenly gifts, Father Kleopa, receiving the divine knowledge which, like a new Moses, you brought to the world, writing it wondrously in books and in the hearts of those who sing to you these things:
- Rejoice, net of wisdom;
- Rejoice, model of teaching;
- Rejoice, herald of the heavenly life;
- Rejoice, giver of most good hopes;
- Rejoice, eagle of visions from the divine cloud;
- Rejoice, murmur of words born of spiritual longing;
- Rejoice, you who drove away the demonic illusion;
- Rejoice, you who at once overthrew its schemes;
- Rejoice, pen of the mouth of the Word;
- Rejoice, foundation of the life of Christians;
- Rejoice, fountain of the water of faith;
- Rejoice, pure stream of the miracle;
- Rejoice, Venerable Father Kleopa!
Kontakion 12
You are a wall for Christians, Venerable Kleopa, and a great helper in afflictions; therefore your holy relics pour forth abundant grace and the waters of miracles for those who sing with faith: Alleluia!
Oikos 12
Singing your life, we give thanks to the consubstantial Trinity; for, making a dwelling in you, blessed Paisios and Kleopa, it sanctified you, glorified you, and urged us all to say:
- Rejoice, pair who honour the Holy Trinity;
- Rejoice, holy unity in the Lord;
- Rejoice, Venerable Paisios, the good;
- Rejoice, Father Kleopa, the glorious;
- Rejoice, two-stringed sling of the prophet David;
- Rejoice, two-edged sword that cuts down the hosts of demons;
- Rejoice, divine wellspring of gifts;
- Rejoice, company well-pleasing to God;
- Rejoice, strength of the faithful;
- Rejoice, downfall of the impious;
- Rejoice, city with two towers;
- Rejoice, treasure with many gifts;
- Rejoice, O Father-intercessors of Moldavia!
Kontakion 13
O venerable and holy pair of hermits, glorious Paisios and Kleopa, receiving this humble hymn, deliver us from all the schemes of the one who hates souls, that together, with thanksgiving, we may sing: Alleluia! (this kontakion is said three times)
Then the Oikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are said
Oikos 1
You imitated the angels by your way of life, glorious Paisios and Kleopa, for, serving the Lord, you ever fulfilled His commandments with zeal; therefore we sing to you these things:
- Rejoice, offshoot unto the glory of the Lord;
- Rejoice, secret corner of Paradise;
- Rejoice, Paisios, the thrice-blessed;
- Rejoice, Kleopa, inspired by the Holy Spirit;
- Rejoice, mountain with two peaks of heavenly conduct;
- Rejoice, myrrh of great price of the Romanian communities;
- Rejoice, twofold gladness of Sihăstria;
- Rejoice, assembly ordained by God;
- Rejoice, praise and honour of monks;
- Rejoice, adornment of hermits;
- Rejoice, light of all Bukovina;
- Rejoice, glory of the whole Church;
- Rejoice, O Father-intercessors of Moldavia!
Kontakion 1
You who obtained crowns through great struggles, working patience and humility in your souls, Venerable Paisios and Kleopa, you became partakers of the unwaning light, leading to the light of repentance all who praise you, singing: Rejoice, O Father-intercessors of Moldavia!
Prayer
O venerable and God-bearing Fathers of ours, Paisios and Kleopa, you who from your youth took up the Cross as a yoke upon your shoulders and, in obedience, ploughed the field of your souls with the plough of hermitic struggles, working out your salvation with fear and trembling; O branches of the true Vine, Christ, you who abided in Him and whom the Husbandman Himself, God the Father, pruned, that, bearing much fruit, He Himself might be glorified in you; O good labourers of the Master, who sowed the pure seed of the Gospel in souls and brought forth fruit a hundredfold, wise ascetics, who showed yourselves a wondrous dwelling of the Holy Trinity and became vessels of good use, filled with wisdom and full knowledge, with every spiritual gift and the working of miracles; O true disciples and faithful servants of the Master, who in the heavenly mansions of the Kingdom now rejoice as His well-beloved and His friends, hear our prayer, which we offer with piety and a humble soul, bowing our knees before your icon and your precious relics, bearers of grace and sources of miracles. Do not overlook our cry, but come to meet us who run to you with love, you our fervent helpers and good guardians, driving from us every evil working of the enemy, every trouble and infirmity of body and soul, by your wondrous intercession before the all-compassionate God; that, in His mercy, we may repent of our iniquities and may follow you, as you yourselves followed Christ, and may walk with faith on the way which He Himself, as the Merciful One, has shown us, and which you, most wise ones, have travelled.
Most gentle and greatly struggling Father Paisios, most skilled guide of souls, teacher of humility and lover of hesychia, you who pray with a pure heart to God for every afflicted and sorrowful soul, we too come to you, asking that, by your fervent prayers to God, you may strengthen us to lay a good beginning to our repentance, sending to our eyes tears that wash away the mire of our passions and sins, that we may overcome all the temptations that come to us from the flesh, the world and the devil. And as you received all, blessing all that was theirs — both their table and their house — so now also bless us from the height of the glory to which God has raised you, sending upon us the abundant outpourings of your gifts and intercessions.
Likewise you too, wondrous Father Kleopa, you who have the name and zeal of an apostle, who proclaimed Christ unceasingly and endured persecutions for His name, wandering through mountains and caves; you who, like a lamp on the lampstand, made the light of the divine commandments shine for all, by the rays of your hermitic struggles beyond nature and by the lightnings of your thundering word; fearless defender of the right faith and preacher of life according to the will of God; wondrous guide of the communities of Moldavia, who led the multitudes to the pure water of the faith — you yourself now also, by your fervent prayers to God, help us who come to you to lead a pure life, well-pleasing to the Master, and strengthen us to trample upon all the snares of the cunning demons and to confess without fear Christ, the Saviour of our souls.
Glorious Fathers Paisios and Kleopa, we pray with faith that you intercede before God to forgive us and to guard us from the invasion of other peoples against us, from earthquake, fire, drought and every affliction that justly threatens us for our sins. And, as you once desired that all might become dwellers of Paradise, so now make us partakers, by your intercessions, of a little corner of Paradise; that together with you and all the saints — though we are unworthy — we too may praise and glorify the most honourable and majestic name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Source: Doxologia.ro. Prayer text taken from public Orthodox sources; rights remain with their authors and translators. Devotional, non-commercial use. May be removed on request.