Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, sent on Tuesday a message of condolence for the funeral service of Archimandrite Climent Haralamb (April 4, 1923 - February 15, 2026), former servant and ecclesiarch of the Curtea de Arges Archdiocesan Cathedral.
"We learned with sorrow of the passing from this world of Archimandrite Climent Haralamb, former servant and Great Ecclesiarch of the Archdiocesan Cathedral in Curtea de Arges. (...) Archimandrite Climent Haralamb was one of the most long-lived (almost 103 years) devout monks and servants of the Holy Altar, having lived 79 years of monastic life, 70 of which at Curtea de Arges Monastery. Through the example of his life, he was for everyone a guide and an encouragement toward temperate living, fasting, prayer, and good deeds, overcoming with serenity and faith the worries and hardships of life," Patriarch Daniel said.
His Beatitude Daniel also recalls that, in appreciation of Archimandrite Climent Haralamb's steadfast service, he personally awarded him in 2017, on the occasion of the events marking 500 years since the founding of the Curtea de Arges voivodal monastery, the Honorary Diploma "Saint Voivode Neagoe Basarab" with medal.
Likewise, on the occasion of the archimandrite's 100th birthday, he was granted the Order "Patriarchal Cross", the highest distinction of the Romanian Patriarchate, which was presented to him by His Eminence Calinic, Archbishop of Arges and Muscel.
"He was loved and respected by his disciples, monks and lay faithful alike, especially by the believers of Arges, who regarded him as one of the best spiritual fathers of the diocese. In the context of the 2025 Centenary Year, on the occasion of the proclamation of the canonization of sixteen Romanian saints, Father Climent Haralamb donated fifteen wooden-painted icons, which will be placed in the historic Patriarchal Cathedral on the feast day of each saint; he also made a donation for the National Cathedral. In the last years of his life, due to several physical ailments, he was brought to Bucharest and lived in the Monastic Residence of the historic Patriarchal Cathedral, under the permanent care of his nephew, Archimandrite Climent Haralam, Great Ecclesiarch of the Patriarchal Cathedral," Patriarch Daniel also stated.
Father Climent Haralamb was born in the village of Zlatunoaia, Lunca commune - Botosani County, on April 4, 1923. He came from a large family and was the first of seven children, four boys and three girls.
In 1947, at the age of 24, he joined as a brother the community of Cozancea Monastery in Botosani County, under the mentorship of Saint Paisie Olaru. One year later, Brother Costachi Haralamb took his monastic vows, fulfilling every obedience entrusted to him with great zeal, responsibility and devotion.
In 1950 he was ordained hierodeacon for Cozancea Monastery by the then Metropolitan of Moldova and Suceava, Sebastian Rusan (1950 - 1956). He carried out this clerical service for 16 years in monasteries in Moldova and Muntenia, such as Cetatuia Monastery in Iasi (1953) and the Voivodal Cathedral in Curtea de Arges (from 1956 onward).
Recognized by everyone around him for his steadfast faith and exemplary modesty, in 1966 he was ordained priest, becoming a true spiritual father to many troubled believers, especially during the difficult years of persecution against the Church.
For 70 years he served God in various obediences, such as steward and Great Ecclesiarch of the Archdiocesan Cathedral in Curtea de Arges, where he prayed for many years to Saint Philothea and watched over her holy relics, offering spiritual counsel to the many pilgrims who came from all over the country, the Patriarch's message also notes.
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