THE ROLE OF THE SOCIAL-PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY OF THE ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH AND THEIR PRESENTATION IN THE ROMANIAN MEDIA
THE ROLE OF THE SOCIAL-PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY OF THE ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH AND THEIR PRESENTATION IN THE ROMANIAN MEDIA

Summary/Abstract: In the life of the inmates, the Church has a dominant role, being the one that gives them the strength to cope with all the troubles. It is the Church which helps the inmates to realize that only by renouncing previous immoral life and following the teachings of Jesus Christ, may become another man, a spiritual man. Knowing in advance that the prisoner is to be released, the priest chaplain is one who will give him advice spiritual needs and they have to follow, proving thereby that it is a Christian and an honest citizen, that society so desperately needs. The activities that Orthodox Church provides to inmates are very poor presented in the media. The purpose of this case study is to describe the interest that Romanian media give for the social activities of the Romanian Orthodox Church. As a research method we chose participatory observation. Namely, I noticed from the inside the activities of interest and I analyzed the news that promotes the activities carried out by the Romanian Orthodox Church. In consultation with the program, a dance-based exercise class for seniors was approved, designed, advertised, and implemented. Participants displayed signs of enjoyment during the class meetings and the small class size allowed all to engage in a dynamic, powerful, and rewarding experience of dance regardless of level of ability. Through repetition and reinforcement of movements participants learned dance steps often working beyond their conceived limitations. Dance has shown promise in improved fitness, social connections and overall physical and cognitive benefits. These social philanthropic activities are very weakly highlighted in the secular press, as well as the Christian press often omits them (except for parts of the press center of the Romanian Patriarchate).

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