Simpozion de Martirologie la Alba Iulia și la Aiud
Symposium of Martyrology at Alba Iulia and Aiud

Summary/Abstract: In the context of the Commemorative Year dedicated to those reposed in the Lord; the liturgical and cultural value of cemeteries, the seventh edition of the NationalSymposium of Martyrology took place on 3-4 April 2021, under the title „The(un)forgotten dead of the communism. Topography of repression: between thearchaeology of assassinations and the places of memory. Public homage and liturgicalcultivation”. This year, the academic event was organized by the Archdiocese of AlbaIulia and the National Museum of the Union, in partnership with the Faculty ofOrthodox Theology in Alba Iulia, Aiud Memorial and „Sfânta Cruce [The HolyCross]” Monastery of Aiud. Given the current special circumstances, and the rulesconcerning the events attended by a great number of persons, the Symposium washeld online, on the „Zoom” platform, and was broadcast live to the Facebook pageof the National Museum of the Union in Alba Iulia.This academic and cultural event was attended by University staff, researchersand scholars, involved in various projects or actions aimed at retrieving the memoryof recent past. This academic, cultural and spiritual event was closely connected to the celebration of the patronal feast of the „Holy Cross” Monastery of Aiud– standing above „Râpa Robilor [Slaves’ Ravine]”, where many of the political detainees of Aiud prison were buried during the communist times. Given the dedication of the Aiud Monastery and the spiritual significance of theCross, the editions of the National Symposium of Martyrology have been regularly held on the Sunday of the Holy Cross – the third Sunday of Lent and, more recently, on theSaturday preceding it. The main responsibility in organizing and running the symposiabelonged to protos. Gavriil Vărvăruc, the abbot of the monastery, and to doctor PavelChirilă, president of Aiud Foundation and moderator of many of the past editions of thesymposium. Over the recent years, in the organizing of this event took part representatives of the Cultural Department of Alba Iulia eparchy, and of the Museum of the Union.

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