and monks released from prison and restored many churches and monasteries, resisting the sanctions, threats and even the house arrest to which, for a time, he was subjected". Justinian protested against Decree 410 of November 19, 1959, which ordered that new monks must be at least 55 years old and nuns at least 50, and due to which some 5,000 monastics were removed from their monasteries. In response, the Patriarch was forcibly sent to Dragoslavele skete for six months. Patriarch Justinian died on the evening of March 26, 1977, aged 76, after a painful illness and a long period of hospitalisation. He was laid to rest in the grave which he carefully prepared for himself in the interior wall of Radu Vodă Monastery, Bucharest (the monastery, dating from the 16th century, had been extensively renovated during 1969–1974, on his initiative). On the cross fixed into the wall, the Patriarch asked that the following inscription be engraved: "I fought the good fight. I guarded the faith. I have reached the end of life's road. From now on, the reward of righteousness awaits me; the Lord, the righteous Judge shall give it to me on that day". Offices held Teacher in Olteanca (1923–1924) Teacher in Băbeni (1924–1930) Parish priest in Băbeni (1924–1932) Director of the theological seminary and priest at the Râmnicu Vâlcea Cathedral (1932–1933) Parish priest at St. George's Church in Râmnicu Vâlcea (1933–1945) Vicar Bishop (called "Vasluianul") of the Iaşi Archdiocese (1945–1947) Locum tenens Metropolitan of Iaşi (from August 1947) Archbishop of Iaşi and Metropolitan of Moldova and Suceava (elected 19 November 1947, enthroned 28 December 1947) Locum tenens Patriarch of Romania (from February 1948) Archbishop of Bucharest, Metropolitan of Ungro-Vlachia, Patriarch of All Romania (elected 24 May 1948, enthroned 6 June 1948) Notes External links Patriarhul Justinian Marina Justinian Marina, Dicţionarul teologilor români Justinian Marina – Un apostol al Bisericii şi al neamului românesc Patriarhul Justinian Marina între elogiu şi denigrare 1901 births 1977 deaths 20th-century Eastern Orthodox archbishops Eastern Orthodox socialists Patriarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church People from Vâlcea County Recipients of the Order of the Star of the Romanian Socialist Republic University of Bucharest alumni