Early Life and Monastic Calling
Father Justin Pârvu was born in 1919 in Romania, in a devout Orthodox Christian family.
From his youth, he displayed a deep love for God and a desire to serve the Church. At 17 years old, he made the decision to become a monk, setting the course for a life entirely devoted to Christ.
His early years were marked by discipline, prayer, and study. When the Second World War broke out, he served as a military priest on the front lines, ministering to soldiers and bringing the comfort of faith amid the horrors of battle.
This formative period shaped his understanding of suffering and sacrifice, which would later become a central theme in his spiritual teachings.
“Your steps are guided by the Lord. Have no doubt that God takes you by the hand and shows you the steps you must take.”
Imprisonment and Confession of the Faith
With the rise of the communist regime in Romania, Father Justin, like thousands of faithful Orthodox Christians, became a target for persecution. His unwavering confession of the Orthodox faith and refusal to compromise made him a threat in the eyes of the authorities.
He was arrested and sentenced to 17 years of imprisonment and forced labor.
The conditions were inhumane: torture, starvation, and humiliation were constant.
“While common criminals can kill one person, faithful Christians can destroy an entire system, no matter how few they are.”
The authorities offered him release if he would renounce Christ and serve the communist system, but he refused, declaring that he would continue to serve the Church. His refusal added four more years to his sentence in one of the harshest forced labor camps.
In prison, he became a spiritual father to thousands. Many of those who suffered alongside him died as martyrs, breathing their last in mines, prisons, or hospitals.
Father Justin’s presence brought comfort, his words inspired repentance, and his prayers gave strength to endure.
Spiritual Fruits of Suffering
Rather than breaking him, the years in prison deepened Father Justin’s spiritual life. He later said that prison had been the most fruitful period of his monastic calling. There he learned true humility, meekness, and the unity of all believers in the Body of Christ.
He described prison as a school of asceticism, where fasting, prayer, and bearing each other’s burdens became second nature.
He understood suffering as a path to identifying with the Cross of Christ, and he taught that hardship could be embraced as a gift from God when endured with faith.
Ministry After Release
After his release, Father Justin returned to monastic life with a profound spiritual maturity. He became a pillar of Orthodoxy in Romania, guiding clergy, monastics, and laypeople alike.
He built communities, founded monasteries, and offered spiritual counsel to the thousands who came from across the world to see him.
Pilgrims described leaving his presence with a deep sense of peace and renewed hope. His humility, simplicity, and love for people made him approachable to all, whether intellectuals or farmers.
He often worked tirelessly, sometimes more than 14 hours a day, hearing confessions, giving blessings, and offering advice.
Teachings on Orthodox Christianity and Faith
Father Justin’s words reflected a life steeped in Holy Scripture and the teachings of the Holy Fathers. He constantly reminded Christians to remain steadfast in their Orthodox faith, warning against heresy, secularism, and moral decay.
Looking for meaningful Orthodox gifts? Your search ends here. Get 10% off our collection now. 🎁✨!
He taught that a true Christian is always ready to meet Christ, keeping the lamp of the soul burning, regardless of whether times are peaceful or marked by persecution.
He stressed the importance of repentance, confession, Holy Communion, and the Jesus Prayer as weapons in spiritual warfare.
On contemporary issues, Father Justin warned against the growing influence of a global system that sought to enslave humanity spiritually through technology, moral relativism, and political manipulation.
He called Christians to resist anything that would compromise their freedom in Christ, even at the cost of their lives.
“There is no greater blessing than to suffer for one’s Orthodox Christian faith.”
Miraculous Signs and Grace
Many testified to the miracles associated with Father Justin during his life and after his repose. He healed both physical and spiritual illnesses, often without drawing attention to himself.
People spoke of his prophetic insight—how he could discern a person’s inner struggles before they spoke a word.
At his repose on June 16, 2013, at the age of 94, tens of thousands came to venerate his body.
Remarkably, his body remained supple, soft, and warm, a sign many considered a testimony of his holiness.
Within three days, over 100,000 people had paid their respects…
📚Learn more about the wisdom of Elder Thaddeus through his book: “Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives“.
Opposition and Slander
Throughout his ministry, Father Justin faced slander from both secular authorities and those within the Church who compromised with political powers.
His open criticism of communism, globalism, and ecumenism earned him the hatred of many influential figures. Yet he endured these accusations with patience, seeing them as part of the Christian struggle.
Why He Is Considered a Saint
Father Justin is remembered as a confessor of the Orthodox faith—a title given to those who suffer for Christ without being martyred by death.
His steadfastness under persecution, his love for the Church, his miracles, and his uncompromising teaching have made him a spiritual father for generations.
Many faithful already venerate him as a saint, and his memory is honored annually.
“When I fear God, I fear nothing else. I am a free man”
Relics and Places of Veneration
The relics of Father Justin Pârvu are kept at the Petru Vodă Monastery in Romania, which he founded.
Pilgrims travel there year-round to pray, seek intercession, and draw inspiration from his life. The monastery remains a living center of Orthodox spirituality, continuing his mission of faith and resistance to spiritual compromise.
A Message for Our Times
Father Justin’s life stands as a witness that Orthodox Christianity is not a mere tradition or cultural identity, but a living confession of faith that demands courage, sacrifice, and constant vigilance.
He called Christians to prepare for trials, not with fear, but with joy, seeing the Cross as the way to the Resurrection.
“The love and prayer of Christians have great power, and their technology will prove powerless.”
Explanation for Children
Father Justin Pârvu was a kind and holy priest from Romania who loved Jesus with all his heart. Even when bad people put him in prison for many years because he believed in God, he never stopped praying. He helped other prisoners be strong and trust in God. After he got out, many people came to him for advice and prayers.
He taught that we should always be ready to meet Jesus by praying, being kind, and helping others.
Today, people visit his grave to ask for his prayers in heaven.
Other modern great ascetic figures of Orthodoxy: