On the morning of October 29, 2009 in the military hospital of the city of Cluj in Romania, Father Teofil (Theophilos) Paraian, the blind elder and confessor of Romania, fell asleep in the Lord at the age of 80. The funeral service was held on October 31.
The Elder was born blind on March 3, 1929 in Topârcea village, near Sibiu. Though handicapped with blindness, this did not prevent him from becoming educated. He attended a primary school for the blind in Cluj-Napoca, from 1935 to 1940. Between 1948 and 1952, Father Teofil attended the Theological School of Sibiu, and from April 1, 1953 entered into the monastic community of Brancoveanu Monastery of Sambata de Sus. Having received a theological degree, and despite his blindness, he was ordained a priest.
The Elder was known for his ability to explain the various themes of the spiritual life with clarity, wisdom and experience. He was widely regarded as one of Romania's most significant spiritual guides, and highly honored by the Romanian youth.
May God give rest to his pure soul and have mercy upon us through his prayers.
