Iorest of Ardeal

Saint Iorest of Ardeal (Transylvania), Metropolitan and Confessor, was born into a family of Transylvanian peasants and received the name Elias at Holy Baptism. At a young age he entered Putna Monastery and was tonsured with the name Iorest. After completing the spiritual school of that lavra, he made great progress in the monastic life. He was also a calligrapher and an iconographer. Because of the purity of his life, the abbot recommended him for ordination as hieromonk. He served at the altar with great compunction and in the fear of God and edified others by his sermons.

Word of his spiritual stature reached Basil Lupu, voivode of Moldavia. After the repose of Metropolitan Genadie of Transylvania in the autumn of 1640, the venerable Iorest of Putna was elected, by God's will, primate of the Transylvanian Church. After his consecration by the Metropolitan of Wallachia in 1641, the gentle hierarch was installed in the metropolitan cathedral at Alba Iulia. For three years he shepherded the Church of Christ as a true confessor, defending the Orthodox faith from false Calvinist teachings and from all the cunning snares of the devil. He traveled throughout his diocese, appointing energetic priests, consecrating churches and instructing the people.

In 1643 he was thrown into prison for his vehement opposition to the activities of foreign missionaries who wanted to convert the Orthodox faithful. He endured beatings and abuse, prepared to suffer martyrdom and give his life in defense of the Orthodox faith and the salvation of the flock God had entrusted to him. After nine months he was released and forced to pay a fine. Arriving again in Moldavia, between 1656 and 1657 he served as bishop of Husi, where he also shepherded well and labored for the salvation of his spiritual children. Christ called him to Himself on 24 April 1657, and he was numbered among the holy confessors. The Romanian Orthodox Church glorified him in 1955. Saint Iorest is commemorated on 24 April (new style; 7 May on the old calendar).