Bessarion Ionescu of Cernica

Visarion Ionescu, born in 1847 at Târgoviște, was an archimandrite and abbot of Cernica Monastery between 1896 and 1921, after living more than sixty years in the same monastery. He fell asleep in 1921. He is named in the Romanian Paterikon and venerated by the faithful, without synodal canonization; the sources available to us give no day of commemoration.

He entered the Cernica community at thirteen, in 1860, and received the blessing and counsel of Saint Callinicus. He grew in obedience, gentleness and humility and received priesthood in youth. He became a choice confessor and raised numerous brothers and lay people of the area in the spiritual life. In 1872 he was named steward of the monastery, an obedience he carried twenty-⁠five years with skill, gentleness and justice: he renewed several blocks of cells, built access roads and put the monastery's property in good order.

In the summer of 1896 the community elected him abbot. For another twenty-⁠five years he guided the Cernica community, which numbered more than a hundred monks. His first care was to adorn the church with choice services, with good priests and cantors. The whole community had to take part in the services, except the sick and those at obediences. Confession was weekly and Communion monthly. At the common obediences he went at the head of all, setting an example of prayer, humility and spiritual joy. For his wisdom and gentleness he was loved and respected by monks and laity, for he sought the spiritual good of others and cared for himself last.

Feeling his end near, he asked forgiveness of all and fell asleep in peace, leaving a choice community of more than a hundred and twenty fathers and brothers.