Keywords: Church-State relation; communist regime; atheism; censorship; Hunedoara County
The official establishment of communism between the years 1947-1948 led to major political, social, economic and cultural changes in Romania in the second half of the 20th century. From an ideological viewpoint, the communist regime acted decisively and cruelly with a view to creating “the new man”; those who did not comply with the new direction were labeled “enemies” of the people and “reactionaries”, liable to be marginalized, ostracized or even subjected to the diabolical process of “reeducation” (implemented, in its most dehumanizing form, in the Pitesti prison). Among the institutions that were deemed “enemies” of the state, a leading role was attributed to the Orthodox Church, forced to face unrelenting oppression. Officially excluded from the life of the state, it became a “tolerated” institution, devoid of its traditional cultural, philanthropic and missionary attributions. The parochial communities across Hunedoara County, together with their priests, were also confronted with the consequences of this baleful atheist persecution for more than four decades.
More...Keywords: Metropolitan; visits; theology; conferences; social care;
It has been a year since Holy Reverend Ioan has been installed as Leader of the Orthodox Church of Banat. Within the clerical environment, Holy Reverend Ioan is perceived in an excellent manner as he is construed as a soul well focused on daily realities and focused on institutionally traditional Christian values, interested in promoting the evangel ideal and reassertion of patristic feelings. During this time, His Holiness has been involved in raising the level of theological education in Timişoara by participating in numerous symposiums and conferences; he has proved to be a fine curator and project manager for new projects in the area of social care, having visited all churches in the process of construction and all social dwellings of the Church.
More...Keywords: Nikeea; arian heresy; Holy Fathers; nicaene Creed;
More...Keywords: Conference; Carabsebeş; Iuliu-Marius Morariu; Daniel Alic;
This is a review of the mentioned book.
More...Keywords: bishop; electing; synod; votes
On July 4 2017, in the Synodic Hall of the Patriarchal Residence, under the presidency of the All-Holy Patriarch Father Daniel, the work session of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church took place. This session entailed the election of the Bishop-Minister for the Archbishopric of Suceava and the Rădăuți and the Bishop-Minister for the Archbishopric of Arad. The Holy Synod elected, by secret vote, his Grace, the Bishop-Minister Emilian Lovișteanul as Bishop-Minister for the Archbishopric of Arad, with 43 out of 46 votes validly expressed votes. The new Bishop-Minister will be named his Grace, Father Emilian Crișanul.
More...Keywords: Patristic educational; education; progress; mission; principle; youth;
The educational system of the Church Fathers can identify with a shape similar to the current one, based on the objectives, contents and strategies. The concept of curriculum could define what patristic era tried to offer a learning path that is challenged revelation. Acquired throughout history, the Church Fathers teaching is for the Church and its members, unshakable foundation of revealed truth. Patristic educational system in various forms, in today's society presents the essence of spiritual formation of church members of all ages. News writings of the Church Fathers is seen as an apostolic mission that must endure over centuries.
More...Keywords: great union; fighter; pastoral; national; ecclesial;
In the times of a great tribulation for our country and our people, God has ordained worthy, courageous, honest, sacrificing men for the freedom of those oppressed and permanently preoccupied with the cultural enlightenment of our ancestors. Among these advocates of the ancestral glance and watchers who are attentive to the preservation and perpetuation of our moral, national and ecclesial values are also the dean George Popovici of Lugoj, a remarkable personality of the Banat Church, whose labors in the pastoral, scientific, cultural and patriotic realm were providential to the Orthodox Romanians living in this corner of the country.
More...Keywords: Great Union; Mitropolia Banatului; Duh şi Adevăr; Biserica şi Școala; Timişoara; priesthood;
Important personality from Banat space, Melentie Şora was unfortunately not enough emphasized until now by the historiographical or theological research. His activity as a writer, preacher or cultural militant for Romanians were insufficient presented up to this moment by the researchers. Therefore, in this research we will try to see how it is reflected the image of the Great Union in his publications. We will investigate there his articles from journals like: Mitropolia Banatului (Timişoara), Duh şi Adevăr (Timişoara) or Biserica şi şcoala (Arad). Here, in these Church publications, we wrote a lot studies, preaches and articles on different topics. In these texts, he speaks also about the Great Union and its relevance for Romanian people. We will also try shortly to present his life and activity and to link it with his conception.
More...Keywords: orthodox; dialogue; agreement; theology; churches;
The official theological dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Ancient Oriental Churches began in the 60es and has been ended, at least from the perspective of the Joint Commission, in the beginning of the 90es. Since then, the fullness of the Orthodox Churches and Oriental Churches received the documents for reception and evaluation. As it is known, some Churches adopted the documents, others have been rejected them and others proposed to continue the work of the Joint Commission. But since then, there was no any perspective in this sense. It seemed that the dialogue was somehow “forgotten”. The present study analyzes some new developments in relation with the theological dialogue and some writings, both in English and Romanian concerning this dialogue. Some internet resources complete the information, it is true, very little, that we have since 1993 (when was the last official work of the Joint Commission) until nowadays, regarding this issue.
More...Keywords: Caransebeş; Veniamin Nistor; theology; journal; research;
In the Autumn of 1943, in a difficult period of war, in Caransebeş was laid the foundations of a high academic publication, „Banat Altar”, a „magazine for the building of the soul and the theological science”, which was finally imposed-through content, elegance of ideas and excellence-in the Romanian journalistic-theological field; the founder of the magazine was the hierarch Veniamin Nistor, bishop of Caransebeş and the entire Banat Highland (former counties Caraş and Severin) during the heavy period of 1941-1949. The times were, however, troubled, the year 1948 bringing almost total suppression of magazines and ecclesiastical interwar periodicals; among these publications was the Banat theological journal.
More...Keywords: humility; path; cross; life
We are urged to walk with much humility and gratitude on the path of the Cross, especially since this road is no longer as easy in our spiritual ascent to the Kingdom of God, since we must walk under the burden of our cross that has been given to us. we lead it without murmur and with the assumption of those who hope in Christ the Lord. In the shadow of the cross, so many angels descended in time to comfort those who have fallen into the despair of life, to wipe away the tears of those without relief, and to open a window to the heights of heaven.
More...Keywords: neolithic; tribute;
Pofessor Ghif à Lazarovici has made an indelible mark, as a leading south-east European archaeologist, a notable scholar, a leader of men, a practical archaeologist, a creative academic, a teacher and administrator; and a congenial personality of Falstaffian proportions. I think I may claim for him the traditional Romanian epithet of Om Mare. He has gained the respect of the teams under his leadership, both young and old. His published work, including at least eight books and over 200 articles, is too extensive to summarise here.
More...Keywords: tribute;
Dupà cele càteva materiale dedicate de mine aniversàrilor prin care ai trecut, in ultimii zeci de ani, doresc sà-mi aduc aminte de càteva momente din existenta mea care nu s-ar fi intàmplat farà aportul tàu decisiv. Poate cà ziua fundamentalà a existenfei mele in ultimii 45 de ani a fost primul moment al studiilor mele universitare, la Facultatea de Istorie-Filosofie din cadmi Universitari “Babes-Bolyai”, din ClujNapoca. Atunci, un coleg pe care de abia il cunoscusem, m-a adus la biroul tàu din Muzeul National de Istorie a Transilvaniei din orasul deja amintit. Nàvalnic, totul a ìnceput sà curgà spre arheologia preistorica, mai precis spre neolitic, iar sensul si direcfia acesteia au, pana astàzi, acelasi duct.
More...Keywords: Archbishop of Timisoara and Metropolitan of Banat; pastorals;
Pastoral by Ioan Robu, Archbishop of Timisoara and Metropolitan of Banat
More...Keywords: medieval Banat; counties; 14th century; nobles; matrimony;
Marriage was in the nobiliary environment a familial question they usually didn’t dwell at random upon. Seen as a regulation and formalizing of a certain social status, the institution of marriage was submitted, due to its role and position, to severe rituals and interdictions. To create new alliances, to consolidate the old ones or to set political relations through the means of matrimonial strategies and women operated as a capital obligation for the head of any nobiliary family. After all, joing in marriage was taken along the way for a contract with obligations and rights involving both the couple and the members of the widened family. On the other hand, from a spiritual point of view, matrimony was defined by ecclesiastic statements, as a sacral mystery with moral and religious implications, an unbreakable relation between a man and a woman. A model of the Christian marriage was after conceptualized, placed exclusively under the control of the ecclesiastic authorities, not under that of the secular ones. First of all, nobiliary domenial neighborship created opportunities to matrimonial alliances in order to sanction, consolidate, and secure certain agreements in the case of neighboring noble families. In fact, given the low mobility at that time, marriages were set most frequently in proximity and reflected the nature of some relations of neighborliness.
More...Keywords: festival; folklore; musicians; Radio Novi Sad; Serbian Banat;
The Great Romanian Festival of Vojvodina was born in 1959 in Uzdin, Serbian Banat. A very important role in the establishment of this festival was played by the Folk Music Orchestra of the Novi Sad Radio Station founded in the autumn of 1949. After a concert held in Uzdin by this orchestra, the idea of setting up a Festival to promote young talents within the Romanian community in the Serbian Banat, appeared. Only vocal soloists and instrumentalists participated in the first editions of the festival, and later during the following editions Romanian folk music orchestras, tarafs, choirs, vocal groups, dance groups, folk ensembles and marching bands also participated.Since 1990, this festival has become more and more popular among Romanians in the Serbian Banat. Out of the love for music that they have acquired from grandparents, great-grandparents and parents, there are more and more young people who are oriented towards musical studies. Even before 1990 there were many professional Romanian musicians, but until now their number is growing and the Grand Festival and the Popular Music Orchestra of the Novi Sad Radio Station have played a very important role in this regard. This Festival had a very important role into the preservation of the the Romanian folklore, specific to the Serbian Banat area, bringing to the public's attention the traditional Romanian folklore from all areas of the country through the participating musicians, promoting vocal and instrumental soloists, orchestras, tarafs, choirs, fanfares and dance formations.
More...Keywords: helmet; the Citizen Guards from Timisoara; the Shooting Societies from Timisoara; the Habsburg cavalry; first half of the 19th century; XRF investigations; the collection of the National Museum;
In the first half of the 18th century, following the establishment of the two Magistrates, German and Rascian, in Timisoara were created the armed Citizen Guards, which had both a military role, being involved in the Austro-Turkish conflict of 1738–1739, and a civil one, ensuring the security and city order, quarantine in hospitals etc. Known as Bürgergarde and Freie Compagnie, these units are quite rarely mentioned in documents until 1781. With the granting of the rights of free royal city in 1781, the Citizen Guards were reorganized in Timisoara, being equipped with new uniforms, weapons and flags. According to the preserved statistical data, in 1782 the German guard had 154 members, and the Serbian guard had 118 members. The German and Serbian detachments of the Citizen Guard were placed under the command of the mayor of the city. Two decades later, in 1809, the Citizen Guard from Timisoara counted 1400 pedestrians and a company of 100 horsemen. The cavalry division, equipped similar to the Austrian dragoon units, was generally recruited from the German population, while the infantry was recruited from the German and Serbian citizens, but organized separately. The two M. 1836 helmets kept in the collection of the National Museum of Banat are among the few pieces of this type owned by museums in our country. Over time identified with the Shooting Society or with the fire brigade, the helmets are originally of military origin, being produced for the Austrian cavalry officers, during the reign of the emperor Ferdinand I (1835–1848). The Citizen Guard from Timisoara adopted helmets in the equipment of the cavalry company, later the equipment being generalized to all units of the Guard. Dissolved in 1848, the Citizen Guard in its old structure was not re-established in the following period. The pompous equipment of the past ended up in the patrimony of the families of the former guards and in the props of the Shooting Societies, societies established by the members of the Guard. Two of the M.1836 helmets once worn by the members of the Citizen Guard became part, through the kindness of Meskó Béla and Babusnik Emil, of the museum’s collection, being today among the most attractive exhibits of the military collection.
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