Mother Antonina Diaconu (March 7, 1923 – December 23, 2011) was a “fool for Christ” who lived at Tismana Monastery.
At the age of 26, a beautiful young woman, wearing a red velvet dress, stepped into monastic life. She had an especially pleasant voice and a distinctive presence. After entering the monastery, she was entrusted with the obedience of caring for the pigs — a humble service that she fulfilled for forty years, at a distance of several hundred meters from the monastic community.
Desiring to take part in the night services, she often found herself confronted by the monastery’s locked gates. Faced with this obstacle, she chose to transform the place of her obedience into her own altar. She prayed in the forest, where she was often seen making hundreds of prostrations. One day, she joyfully recounted that she had met in the forest a woman clothed in black, with a mantle and a staff — a mysterious encounter which she identified as a vision of the Mother of God.
Mother Antonina had a special devotion to the Mother of God and to Saint Nicodemus of Tismana (Dec. 26). Her spiritual life was hidden beneath the guise of foolishness for Christ, and some of the nuns regarded her as eccentric. She would gather food under her bed, which over time spoiled and gave off an unpleasant odor, to the discomfort of those around her. Yet, despite appearances, her soul was deeply rooted in prayer and simplicity.
Unlike others, she managed to receive Holy Communion more frequently, despite many obstacles. She testified that a hierarch had advised her to approach the Holy Mysteries more often, and she fulfilled this counsel with great courage. God continually enlightened her as to how she should proceed, so that she would not be deprived of the Eucharist.
At one point, several fathers from the Holy Mountain came to Romania in search of spiritually advanced souls. Although she had not initially been invited to meet them, she providentially came to their attention. After getting to know her, the fathers were deeply impressed by her spiritual life.
Mother Antonina was not particularly appreciated in the monastery, nor did she seek recognition. She lived with great spiritual contentment, and her words were always fulfilled. Although she had the gift of spiritual insight, she made no display of it, but continued to live in hiddenness.
A telling episode concerning the power of her prayer was recounted during the winter, when a huge tree fell on the slope opposite the monastery. Despite the snow and the size of the tree, the nun was seen pulling its trunk while constantly making the sign of the cross. Three days later, the tree had already been dragged down into the valley by her and used as firewood to cook food for the pigs. No one could explain how she had managed this, but all acknowledged that only God could have been her support.
She was canonized as a saint by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church at its session of July 1, 2025, with the title “Holy Venerable Antonina of Tismana,” and her feast day established on December 23.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
At the age of 26, a beautiful young woman, wearing a red velvet dress, stepped into monastic life. She had an especially pleasant voice and a distinctive presence. After entering the monastery, she was entrusted with the obedience of caring for the pigs — a humble service that she fulfilled for forty years, at a distance of several hundred meters from the monastic community.
Desiring to take part in the night services, she often found herself confronted by the monastery’s locked gates. Faced with this obstacle, she chose to transform the place of her obedience into her own altar. She prayed in the forest, where she was often seen making hundreds of prostrations. One day, she joyfully recounted that she had met in the forest a woman clothed in black, with a mantle and a staff — a mysterious encounter which she identified as a vision of the Mother of God.
Mother Antonina had a special devotion to the Mother of God and to Saint Nicodemus of Tismana (Dec. 26). Her spiritual life was hidden beneath the guise of foolishness for Christ, and some of the nuns regarded her as eccentric. She would gather food under her bed, which over time spoiled and gave off an unpleasant odor, to the discomfort of those around her. Yet, despite appearances, her soul was deeply rooted in prayer and simplicity.
Unlike others, she managed to receive Holy Communion more frequently, despite many obstacles. She testified that a hierarch had advised her to approach the Holy Mysteries more often, and she fulfilled this counsel with great courage. God continually enlightened her as to how she should proceed, so that she would not be deprived of the Eucharist.
At one point, several fathers from the Holy Mountain came to Romania in search of spiritually advanced souls. Although she had not initially been invited to meet them, she providentially came to their attention. After getting to know her, the fathers were deeply impressed by her spiritual life.
Mother Antonina was not particularly appreciated in the monastery, nor did she seek recognition. She lived with great spiritual contentment, and her words were always fulfilled. Although she had the gift of spiritual insight, she made no display of it, but continued to live in hiddenness.
A telling episode concerning the power of her prayer was recounted during the winter, when a huge tree fell on the slope opposite the monastery. Despite the snow and the size of the tree, the nun was seen pulling its trunk while constantly making the sign of the cross. Three days later, the tree had already been dragged down into the valley by her and used as firewood to cook food for the pigs. No one could explain how she had managed this, but all acknowledged that only God could have been her support.
She was canonized as a saint by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church at its session of July 1, 2025, with the title “Holy Venerable Antonina of Tismana,” and her feast day established on December 23.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
Saint Antonina of Tismana was born on March 7, 1923, in the village of Runcu, Vâlcea County, into a family of devout Christians, Ispas and Maria. She had two brothers and one sister. At Holy Baptism she received the name Ilinca. From early childhood, she sought the path of faith and prayer, her mother being her first guide, a living example of prayer and a godly way of life. From that time, the most sweet image of Christ the Savior and of His Most Pure Mother took root in the soul of the young girl.
Having from a tender age a calling toward the monastic life, she grew accustomed to prayer from the Horologion and the Psalter. She was gentle and obedient, her purity of soul astonishing all those of her age. One day, the young Ilinca decided of her own will to go to the monastery and become a nun. Her mother blessed her with all her heart, but her father, overcome by parental love, burst into tears and opposed her decision. For this reason, only after the repose of her mother did the Venerable one fulfill her longing to enter monastic life.
Thus, having received counsel and blessing from her spiritual father, she entered the community of Tismana Monastery on June 10, 1950, the feast day of Saints Alexander and Antonina. From the beginning, her obedience was in the monastery household, her cell remaining until the end of her life near the animal shelters of the monastery. There the holy nun labored without complaint, fulfilling her obedience with great joy, as the greatest gift received from the Holy Spirit.
At her monastic tonsure, she received the name of Saint Antonina, for whom she had great devotion, taking her as her protectress and helper. Having received the angelic habit, she labored even more, remaining steadfast in preserving purity of soul and monastic obedience. The work entrusted to her by God from the beginning proved of great spiritual benefit, as she grew unceasingly in prayer, vigil, and fasting.
The ascetic struggles of the Venerable one were always accompanied by love for the nuns and sisters of the community. Often, when she was ill, she prayed to the Mother of God to heal her, so that she might continue to serve in humble obedience and gentleness. Being steadfast in prayer and having received the grace of the Holy Spirit, Mother Antonina learned the Psalter and many prayers by heart. These gifts, however, remained unknown to the sisters of Tismana Monastery, who considered her too simple to have received such heavenly blessings.
Through the blessing of the Mother of God and of Saint Nicodemus, she received the gift of humble-mindedness and the knowledge of future things. Thus, she guided with wisdom the sisters entrusted to her care, reminding them of the ascetic labors of the venerable fathers of old from the lavra of Saints Nicodemus and Gerasimus.
Often the Saint would say to the nuns and sisters:
“Do not be careless toward the monastic life. Flee the world and walk with zeal on the path of the saints. Keep your mind in prayer and preserve yourselves pure and humble. Let your conduct be simple, your words without artifice, your walk free of vainglory, your voice meek, and your life one of poverty. For the love of Christ the Savior, accept to be despised by all. Above all, guard your mind in prayer, be watchful in vigil, endure every hardship, and keep your deeds hidden from the sight of men. Examine yourselves closely, so that you may not receive into your soul any of the pleasures of this world from the cunning enemy.”
Living and teaching in this manner, Saint Antonina persevered in the inner work of prayer, her countenance marked by serenity, humility, and love for God. She loved silence and prayer, repeating with tears the most sweet name of Christ the Savior, whom she never ceased to confess before all. Though misunderstood by many, Saint Antonina remained steadfast in her obedience, ordering her inner life as a holy mystery. Thus, the monastic community did not know how great her ascetic struggles were or how pleasing she was before the Lord.
With love toward all, the Venerable one endured the temptations and humiliations that came upon her from the enemy of mankind, the devil, and from people. In this way, she preserved the peace and serenity of divine grace, always reproaching herself and asking forgiveness from all.
As Saint Antonina drew near the hour of her departure from this world, she received the Holy Communion for the last time and then entrusted her soul into the hands of God, whom she had loved so deeply. She was glorified by the Lord and numbered among the company of the venerable fathers and mothers of Tismana.
Through her prayers, O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Source
Having from a tender age a calling toward the monastic life, she grew accustomed to prayer from the Horologion and the Psalter. She was gentle and obedient, her purity of soul astonishing all those of her age. One day, the young Ilinca decided of her own will to go to the monastery and become a nun. Her mother blessed her with all her heart, but her father, overcome by parental love, burst into tears and opposed her decision. For this reason, only after the repose of her mother did the Venerable one fulfill her longing to enter monastic life.
Thus, having received counsel and blessing from her spiritual father, she entered the community of Tismana Monastery on June 10, 1950, the feast day of Saints Alexander and Antonina. From the beginning, her obedience was in the monastery household, her cell remaining until the end of her life near the animal shelters of the monastery. There the holy nun labored without complaint, fulfilling her obedience with great joy, as the greatest gift received from the Holy Spirit.
At her monastic tonsure, she received the name of Saint Antonina, for whom she had great devotion, taking her as her protectress and helper. Having received the angelic habit, she labored even more, remaining steadfast in preserving purity of soul and monastic obedience. The work entrusted to her by God from the beginning proved of great spiritual benefit, as she grew unceasingly in prayer, vigil, and fasting.
The ascetic struggles of the Venerable one were always accompanied by love for the nuns and sisters of the community. Often, when she was ill, she prayed to the Mother of God to heal her, so that she might continue to serve in humble obedience and gentleness. Being steadfast in prayer and having received the grace of the Holy Spirit, Mother Antonina learned the Psalter and many prayers by heart. These gifts, however, remained unknown to the sisters of Tismana Monastery, who considered her too simple to have received such heavenly blessings.
Through the blessing of the Mother of God and of Saint Nicodemus, she received the gift of humble-mindedness and the knowledge of future things. Thus, she guided with wisdom the sisters entrusted to her care, reminding them of the ascetic labors of the venerable fathers of old from the lavra of Saints Nicodemus and Gerasimus.
Often the Saint would say to the nuns and sisters:
“Do not be careless toward the monastic life. Flee the world and walk with zeal on the path of the saints. Keep your mind in prayer and preserve yourselves pure and humble. Let your conduct be simple, your words without artifice, your walk free of vainglory, your voice meek, and your life one of poverty. For the love of Christ the Savior, accept to be despised by all. Above all, guard your mind in prayer, be watchful in vigil, endure every hardship, and keep your deeds hidden from the sight of men. Examine yourselves closely, so that you may not receive into your soul any of the pleasures of this world from the cunning enemy.”
Living and teaching in this manner, Saint Antonina persevered in the inner work of prayer, her countenance marked by serenity, humility, and love for God. She loved silence and prayer, repeating with tears the most sweet name of Christ the Savior, whom she never ceased to confess before all. Though misunderstood by many, Saint Antonina remained steadfast in her obedience, ordering her inner life as a holy mystery. Thus, the monastic community did not know how great her ascetic struggles were or how pleasing she was before the Lord.
With love toward all, the Venerable one endured the temptations and humiliations that came upon her from the enemy of mankind, the devil, and from people. In this way, she preserved the peace and serenity of divine grace, always reproaching herself and asking forgiveness from all.
As Saint Antonina drew near the hour of her departure from this world, she received the Holy Communion for the last time and then entrusted her soul into the hands of God, whom she had loved so deeply. She was glorified by the Lord and numbered among the company of the venerable fathers and mothers of Tismana.
Through her prayers, O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
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