Embroidered epigonation with Saint Hierarch Dosoftei

Embroidered epigonation with Saint Hierarch Dosoftei

Saint Hierarch Dosoftei (†1693) was born in 1624 in Suceava, into the Barila family. His parents, Leontie and Misira, had relatives in Transylvania and the region of Liov. At baptism, he was given the name Dimitrie, as he was born near October 26, the feast day of Saint Demetrius the Great Martyr, the Myrrh-Streamer.

The young Dimitrie Barila was educated by renowned teachers in Moldova. He also studied at the Orthodox Brotherhood School at the “Dormition of the Mother of God” Monastery in Liov. He diligently read the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the Holy Fathers of the Church. He learned to interpret sacred texts in the Romanian language. Additionally, he was trained in prayer, obedience, humility, and ascetic practices.

In 1649, he became a monk at Probota Monastery, taking the name Dosoftei. For his erudition and virtues, in 1658 he was consecrated as a bishop and appointed Bishop of Huși. A year later, he became Bishop of Roman. In 1671, he was elected Metropolitan of Moldavia.

His first printed works were the Psalter in verse and the Akathist to the Mother of God (Uniov, 1673). He revised Nicolae Milescu’s translation of the Old Testament, which was later included in the Bucharest Bible (1688).

In 1673, he went to Poland due to the ruler and his anti-Ottoman convictions. In 1674, he was replaced by Teodosie, Bishop of Roman. A year later, he returned as Metropolitan of Moldavia, while Teodosie died as a martyr.

He also published other books in Romanian: Psaltirea de-ntâles (1680), Dumnezeiasca Liturghie (1679 and 1683), Molitavnic de-ntâles (1681), and others. In 1686, he was taken hostage by the Poles. He spent his final years away from his homeland.

Despite facing great pressure, he did not convert to Uniatism. He remained Orthodox until his death on December 13, 1693.

source: ziarullumina.ro