Sakralna topografija manastira Treskavca

Author(s): Svetlana Smolčić-Makuljević / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 35/2004

The streches of Mt Treskavac with Zlatovrh, a dominant peak in Pelagonija, and its distinctive rocky landscape have o.ered a suitable setting for exercising austere monastic practices ever since medieval times. The sacred area formed around the Monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin in medieval times was founded on the antique sacred place of Kolobaise and the temples of Artemis of Ephesus and Apollo Euthanatos. To medieval renovation of the monastery besides the Byzantine and Bulgarian rulers, also contributed the Serbian rulers of the Nemanjić house, kings Milutin, Stefan of Dečani and Dušan. Testimonies to a stay at Treskavac were left by the Serbian nobles – enochiar Dabiživ and tepčija Gradislav. The cult of the Virgin of Treskavac, con.rmed in the written sources beginning with king Dušan’s charters to the monastery (1334–1343), left its trace both in the wall-painting of the monastery church and in the activity of manuscript copying cultivated in this monastic centre. Over the centuries, many pilgrims, from the royalty, local lords and members of well-to-do families to priests and monks, Orthodox Christians but also non-Christians, came to show their respect to the Virgin of Treskavac. A small cave church has been recently registered in the immediate vicinity of the monastery. An evidence of the eremitic way of life, it con.rms the information contained in king Dušan’s charters. Namely, they compare the way of life of the monks of Treskavac with the ascetic practice of Mount Athos and Mount Sinai. The area of Mt Treskavac also shows several rock paintings with a cultic function. This authentic manner of marking out a sacred area may be explained by the prophylactic role of the Virgin, or a Christian saint, in a barely passable, perilous landscape. Springs and drinking fountains constitute another important element of the monastery’s topography. Through the monks’ continuous and devout e.ort put into shaping the landscape, the fresh and icy cold water from the mountain springs has been captured and channelled into drinking fountains for the use both of the dwellers of the monastery and of pilgrims.

PRAVOSLAVNA DUHOVNOST I RAT

Author(s): Pavle Rak / Language(s): Croatian Issue: 10+11/1994

ln Orthodox creed there is a very strong aspiration to reduce every theological discourse to a spiritual one, so it is reasonable to approach such a demanding topic about the relationship between the Orthodox religion and war with the spiritual discourse which represents an expression of an unique, personal, spiritual experience. In latest "Holy Father" literature, which is the basis of the orthodox spirituality, there is no topic on war and violence because they represent the complete contrast to the spiritual way. However, we can see where the compromises with the political power can lead us if we go back to the example of Origenus and especially Lactantius.

Încheierea și desfacerea căsătoriei/ cununiei în România modernă

Author(s): Cosmin Panturu / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 25/2019

In modern Romania, from a legal and canonical perspective, the Sacrament of Marriage can only be celebrated after the civil marriage took place. Therefore, if there are two celebrations, civil and religious, the first being mandatory for the reception of the second, there must exist two divorces, one bearing civil effects and one with ecclesial consequences. The civil divorce is recognized by the Church and the ecclesial divorce can only be pronounced after the civil one. However, the civil laws do not recognize the ecclesial divorce. The dissolution of marriage is an exclusive right of the bishop, similar to the right he has in granting dispensations for the administration of Sacraments in exceptional situations.

„Vreau să trăiesc pentru nemurire”. Feodor Mihailovici Dostoievski în căutarea lui Dumnezeu

Author(s): Ioniţă Apostolache / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 02/2020

Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky represents in terms of value one of the highest peaks of Russian Christian literature. His works present images, typologies, directions of thought and interpretation, in different contexts of existence of a nation grafted on the values of the Orthodox faith and Tradition. In this study we try to use the confessional elements of the existentialist thinking of the great Russian literature. Starting from the presentation of his life and works, we come to discover the Christian essence of his message. This, almost every time encrypted by types and symbols, represents in fact a valuable confession and apology of the orthodox meaning of existence. In contrast and for a better understanding, the great Dostoevsky also speaks of a telluric existence, passionate, deprived of the freedom of faith in God. In this respect, we have resorted to an apologetic analysis on the idea of freedom in “The Legend of the Great Inquisitor”, a masterful chapter from Dostoevsky’s masterpiece “The Karamazov Brothers”.

„O, pune-mă pe inimă pecete!” (C. Cant. 8, 6 ) – Repere patristice ale unei gnoseologii îndumnezeitoare a umanului

Author(s): Lucian-Dumitru Colda / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 02/2020

The evangelical pericope of the feast of the Apostles’ coriphaei reveals the image of Jesus Christ, the One who discovers to man another way of learning, a gnoseology of divinity, revealed by divinity itself, and which transcends any involvement of the mundane. But to try, today, more than two thousand years after the birth of Jesus Christ, to speak, write or transmit through a teaching process information and data about Christ and the one which He created, therefore about man, is not a simple and easy matter. The Church Fathers have always sought to answer questions about the great mystery of the Son of God taking the flesh and the nature of man, but also how this is reflected in the daily life of the Church, with a focus on a number of concrete aspects, which they have included in their gnoseological approach of life and which are reflected in their way of thinking.

Pasii romanilor in Tara Sfanta si pe ,,Muntele Comorilor"

Author(s): Madalina-Andreea Stan / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 5/2016

This communication approaches the spiritual travels, pilgrim‑ ages to the Holy Land and Mount Athos. This research led us through time, from the first dacian‑roman pilgrim of the fifth century, Saint Ioan Casian, to another great pilgrim of the twentieth century, Saint Ioan Iacob Românul (Hozevitul). The novelty part of this communication consists in bringing into the forefront of today’s pilgrims, native of the Trotuș Valley. Archimandrite priest Emilian, a monk of Mount Athos and archimandrite priest Teofil, senior of the Romanian Settlements from Holy Land, former students of Colegiul Tehnic „Dimitrie Ghika” Comănești, were willing to share their spiritual experiences at Holy Sites.

TEMEIURI BIBLICE NOUTESTAMENTARE CU PRIVIRE LA OFICIEREA SFINTELOR TAINE ȘI IERURGII BISERICEȘTI (XIII) Vol. IV

Author(s): Ioan Bude / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 01-03/2020

Addressing mostly priests and Religion teachers, but also any believer, the entire publicistic series that we commence at this point desires, in a straightforward, plain and clear manner (without proposing thematic biblical theology approaches, but by means of a rigurous selection of minimally commented texts), to bring forth again The Truth of the Holy Sacraments before the readers, whoever they might be or – why not? – lead the readers before The Truth, That „is the same for yesterday, today and forever” (Jews 13, 8): The Lord and Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, present, alive and active in all undertakings of His Church.

ASPECTE ECLESIOLOGICE ALE EPISTOLEI CĂTRE EVREI

Author(s): Ioan Mihoc / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 01-03/2020

The study traces out the ecclesiological meanings of some phrases used in Hebrews such as the house of God, people of God, sons of God. These phrases have behind them a well-defined theological tradition. They capture essential aspects of the Church, but also the believers’ filial relation to God, as well as the work of their salvation within the liturgical assembly of the Church. Their interpretation supposes the existence of both terrestrial and celestial aspects of the Church, but also their continuous character through the unique sacrificial work of Jesus Christ and through His entering into the heavenly sanctuary. Through the Christian Church assembly actualizing the sacrifice of Christ, the people of God becomes united with the heavenly Jerusalem, that is, the earthly sanctuary and liturgy are joined with the heavenly sanctuary and liturgy.

PRIN CRUCE SPRE ÎNVIERE. PREDICĂ LA DUMINICA A III-A DIN POSTUL MARE

Author(s): Ionel Popescu / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 01-03/2020

SLUJIREA PREOȚEASCĂ ÎN TRECUT ȘI ASTĂZI (II)

Author(s): Alin-Ionel Ibănescu / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 01-03/2020

The priest, God’s holy man, is called upon to bless the word, opening a path to true faith and to never-ending happiness, and in order for them to teach the people how it may discover the secrets of spiritual life, they must, by their walk and their threading, act similarly to the Messiah, similar to His wonderful threading, on such troubled waters of this sea. By the power of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, they are the Church’s servant, they are the greatest dignitary on this Earth, with the greatest power, the power to teach, to guide and to bind and unbind people, and thus, to guide them on the path to salvation. The priest does not carry out their own doing, but the doing of Christ, with the power given by Christ. They do not preach on their own behalf, they do not serve their own purposes, nor do they comprehend man with their own thoughts, but all such is carried out in the name of the One who had chosen and sent him, the Lord Jesus.

ADNOTĂRI TEOLOGICE (IV)

Author(s): Daniil Stoienescu / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 01-03/2020

Every moment should be received, lived, filled with sense and meaning, and lit by prayer. The Hesychast Orthodox Prayer fills to the fullest extent, warms, ignites and flames the golden Cup gem of every moment in our earthly and Christian life. Each moment has its infinite value, that is why a man, a Christian, a clergyman or a monk is bound to connect, bind and hang every moment of his life by faith, hope and love, humility, repentance and weeping, of God’s eternity, for eventually God’s eternity will call to judgment and judge the moments of our life, separating them as the shepherd breaks up the lambs from the goats.

ATUNCI VOR PUNE PE ALTARUL TĂU VIȚEI... UN SIMBOL BIBLIC CU IMPLICAȚII TEOLOGICE PROFUNDE

Author(s): Constantin Jinga / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 01-03/2020

The author analyzes Psalm 50: 20/51: 19 by highlighting the biblical symbolism of the term “calf”. Several important places in the Old and the New Testaments are analyzed, where the symbol of the „calf“ is used. The essay shows that many of these are found in the Holy Liturgy and underlines the Christological importance of the symbol.

Martiriul unui simbol al ortodoxiei: Manastirea Vacaresti

Author(s): Camelia Ciobotenco / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 4/2015

Nicolae Mavrocordat has been enthroned in 1716 as the first “fanariot” regime representative. Cultivated gentleman and lover of culture, Nicholas Mavrocordat plans to create at the South‑East edge of the capital the following complex of constructions: the monastery and royal court, school, library and printing press. The monument is completed by his son, Constantine Mavrocordat, reaching an area of 18 ha. The sanctuary’s life on the Văcăreşti’s hill will be as sad and uncertain as troubled century, that has been “inaugurated” by Nicholas Mavrocordat. History will end abruptly at the end of the twentieth century, when a new and “illuminated” regime wrote the nation’s history with golden letters. Nicolae Ceausescu wanted to put into place a new building for the court of law. When the communist regime collapsed the building was left unfinished. at the beginning of 2010 on the monastery’s place was erected a large shopping center, marking an important cornerstone for the Văcăreşti Monastery by placing it in the legend. How many of those who daily pass the doors of the new building even guess the history of the monument that once was a majestic construction elevated on the hill of Vacaresti?

„Rai de taină ești, Născătoare de Dumnezeu...”. Cuvinte despre Maica Domnului ale Părinților Sofian Boghiu, Arsenie Papacioc și Teofil Părăian

Author(s): Radu, Petre Mureșan / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 1-3/2019

In the first decade after the falling of the communist regime, the Romanian society witnessed an unexpected religious revival which characterized especially the young generation. The study evokes three spiritual Fathers who highly contributed to this revival, namely Sofian Boghiu, Arsenie Papacioc and Teofil Paraianu, by presenting their sermons and occasional speeches about the Mother of God (Theotokos). Thus, Father Sofian focused on the intercessory power of Theotokos, Father Arsenie always made a parallel between the role of Theotokos in the history of redemption and the role of woman in the contemporary society and family, while Father Teofil was concerned with the liturgical texts about Theotokos. The study intended to highlight that, despite their different personalities and different approaches while presenting the Orthodox teaching about Theotokos, their discourse based on biblical writings and patristic tradition forms a coherent and unitary message.

Monseniorul Vladimir Ghika

Author(s): Angela Bandea / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 3/2014

Prince Vladimir I. Ghika is descendant of an important Greek Byzantine family that had ten rulers’ princes in the Kingdom of Romania and many personalities in the diplomatic, political, cultural life and arts,over a period of about three hundred years.Well-bred and educated, with a careful and active spirit, he understood and helped various people: rich and poor, children, youth, adults and elders, students and ignorant; he was appreciated by diplomats and writers, clergy and scientists. He was an Apostle.Monsignor Ghika achieved a cultural bridge between East and West,between the two Christian churches: Orthodox and Catholic. Many people who knew him say he lived like a Saint and he died a Martyr for his faith in God.

Religious Component in a State’s Foreign Policy. A Case Study of the Russian Orthodox Church

Author(s): Martin Solik,Vladimír Baar / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2020

The recent “conservative turn” in Russian politics has raised to new levels the role of spiritual and moral values in political discourse. The partnership formed between the Russian Orthodox Church and the state has also affected Russian foreign policy. Although the Church largely plays a subordinate role in this relationship, it is far from being merely the Kremlin’s tool. This investigation seeks to shed light on the Church’s distinct approach to politics, and show on the basis of what criteria is the co-operative relationship between the state and the Russian Orthodox Church created in Russian conditions and by what means does the Kremlin promote its influence in the Post-Soviet space through the Russian Orthodox Church. In other words, this study shows where it draws the line on cooperation the Russian Orthodox Church with the state. The paper also exposes the role of this Church in the Kremlin foreign policy in the Post-Soviet space and presents specific activities pro-Russian Christian Orthodox Churches under the auspices of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Post-Soviet space.

Wallace L. Daniel. Russia’s Uncommon Prophet: Father Aleksandr Men and His Times; Дмитрий Предеин, протоиерей. Протоиерей Александр Мень как выдающийся православный катехизатор и миссионер второй половины ХХ века

Author(s): Nikolai Mitrokhin / Language(s): Russian Issue: 3/2019

Review of: Nikolay Mitrokhin - Wallace L. Daniel. Russia’s Uncommon Prophet: Father Aleksandr Men and His Times. DeKalb: Northern Illinois University Press, 2016. 468 pp. ISBN 978-0-87580-733-1. Nikolay Mitrokhin - Дмитрий Предеин, протоиерей. Протоиерей Александр Мень как выдающийся православный катехизатор и миссионер второй половины ХХ века. Одесса: Астропринт, 2015. 400 c. ISBN 978-966-190-996-9.

Cyril of Alexandria and Julian the Emperor in dialogue for the ancient Greek philosophy and paganism

Author(s): Eirini Artemi / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2020

In the 5th century, Cyril of Alexandria wrote a large apologetic work, as a response to Julian the Apostate’s anti-Christian work Against the Galileans. Aside from the obvious divide of one being a Christian and one a pagan, Cyril's religious views were very different from Julian's. Julian's arguments against the Christian doctrine do not greatly differ from those used in the second century by Celsus, and by Porphyry in the third and he regarded the relations between Neoplatonic criticism of Christian Word. As a pagan, Julian had adopted the Platonic and Neoplatonic conception of the one God. Cyril doesn’t stack up against the Platonic one. Cyril’s goal in responding to Julian is, therefore, to help the skeptical reader to find the real faith. Cyril invokes precisely the evidence of Platonist philosophers in favour of the Trinitarian doctrine. Cyril shows, unlike Julian, that the Greek philosophers accept the three principal hypostases and using the term triad, they agree with Christian teaching. So, ancient philosophers as Porphyry supported that the substance of the divinity has proceeded towards three hypostases. Cyril doesn’t only confront Julian’s view against Christian, but he also confirms something that Justin the Martyr supported centuries ago about the ‘spermatic logos’. In this paper, we will examine this two works, ‘Against the Galileans’ of Julian and ‘Against Julian’ of Cyril, not only from their theological opinions but as arguments using the ‘common images’ (εἰκότα), the possible logical arguments, in supporting the positions of Julian and Cyril in a legal struggle.

The Spiritual Freelancers: Young People, Religiosity and Community Problem Solving

Author(s): Adrian Schiffbeck / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2020

Earlier research showed that religion is related to participation among adolescents. It emphasized the effects of belonging (affiliation to groups and traditions) on community service among Western populations. This article takes one step further and focuses on religiosity as a potential motivation for community problem solving during adolescence and young adulthood, in the Eastern European Orthodox cultural setting. Data comes from several semi-structured interviews with participants in a civic project conducted in the city of Timisoara (Romania). Findings indicated a low impact of the social religious component on engagement. The cognitive dimension of belief and the emotional bonding (prayer, ritual connection to the higher reality) function as indirect motivators, through the moral element of behavior. Results also showed a privatization of spiritual life at young adults (the invisible religion): estrangement from doctrines and the development of an individualistic type of morality, meant to drive volunteer activities further.

GOD’S MERCY OR JONAH’S ANGER? AN ORTHODOX APPROACH TO THE CASE OF NINEVEH

Author(s): Stelian Pașca-Tușa / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2020

The Book of Prophet Jonah challenges us to face a reality that justifies our quality of God’s children. Often, Christians are faced with a choice between creating or not the necessary frameworks for the redemption of the contemporary man who has sometimes an adverse attitude towards the Church. It is this choice that their privileged status of God’s chosen people, of holy people whose mission is to be a light among other people, depends on. Those who set themselves up as judges and punishers of others’ deeds are in conflict with God, by neglecting their vocation and the mission to which they have been called. For these reasons, the association with Jonah is extremely appropriate. The prophet refuses to preach in Nineveh in order to avoid being the instrument by which God brings redemption to an impressive number of sinners. The aim of this study is to fructify this behavioural paradigm to acknowledge the fact that disobedience towards God takes us out of communion and makes us lose the privileged status of God’s chosen one. In order to succeed in this endeavour, I shall bear in mind the most recent researches that try to solve the mystery of the prophet’s unexpected behaviour, but also the opinions of some personalities who represent the Jewish and patristic tradition, which mostly characterises the Christian East. These directions shall offer the reader the possibility of thinking more before choosing to get angry like Jonah or be merciful like God