logo
Home / ARHIVA / 2010 (XV)

2010 (XV)

Nr. 1/ 2010 (January-April)

CONTENTS
I. Editorial  

 
Andrei Andreicuţ, The heavenly fire warms the hearts and enlightens the mind
II. Studies & Articles
Mihai Himcinschi, Human violence from a missionary perspective Abstract: The remedy for violence consists in our transition from an anthropo-centric conception to a theocentric one for only God can help us to defeat the violence inside and outside us.This oscillation does not fully solve the problem because if God’s death was declared in the name of anthropocentrism, man was often crushed without mercy on behalf of theocentrism.The dilemma between anthropocentrism and theocentrism is solved only in the Person of Jesus Christ the Saviour who remains, in the same time, God and man, both on earth, during His earthly activity, and in heaven, after His staying on the Heavenly Father’s right.The spiritual crisis of the contemporary world, where violence reached alarming levels, is the result of deist conception that broke the link between God and man, given in Christ, and that isolated God in an inaccessible transcendence. Keywords: human violence, reconciliation, anthro-pology, Holy Trinity, Christian spirituality, technical civilization, intolerance, secularization. p.17
Teofil Tia, Turning Points in the Scientific Authority and Credibility of Pastoral Theology. Abstract: The crisis of Pastoral Theology in Romania is unanimously confirmed by the fact that professors of other theological academic disciplines have come to take a very critical stand against the former, assessing that the manner of approaching and handling the problematics specific to the traditional Pastoral Theology is outdated, „improvised”, „superficial”. The discipline itself was categorized by researchers from fields close to the Pastoral as „non-scientific”, and as having „stale” subjects of interest. Keywords: Cultural-Pastoral Anthropology, Pastoral Medicine, volcanic process of erosion of the credibility, aggressed discipline, axiological orientation, missionary phenomenology, Contemporary pastoral priority. p.45
Domin Adam, Psaltic Music in the Linear Notation System Abstract: The standardization, and especially the transcription of church songs of Byzantine origin into the two notation systems superposed, is unprecedented. It will probably remain as a reference work at least as important as the work of systematization and renovation of the Byzantine notation system done in Constantinople at the beginning of the 19th century (1814), known as the psaltic notation system reform or the Chrisant’s Reform. It marked a crucial moment in the continuation of using the music of Byzantine origin in the Orthodox Church. This work intended “not to change or replace psaltic music as those who do not know the matter may think; on the contrary, it intended to save it and put it in a safe place as an asset that belongs to our spiritual patrimony. Keywords:standardization, transcription, songs, Chrisant’s Reform, psaltic music. p.65
Marius Telea, The Relations between Byzantium and Dobrogea in the Fourteenth Century Abstract: The long Byzantine domination from the territory of today’s Dobrogea – absolute during the tenth and twelfth centuries and partial between the early thirteenth century and the early fifteenth century – occupies an important part in the Romanian-Byzantine relationships. However, the ancient Romanian historiography has not granted them a very high importance; the few existing information come exclusively from foreign sources. It was only the Romanian historiography of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries that gave them their rightful importance.In the fourteenth century, a closure in the territorial reunification process within the area between the Danube and the Black Sea was noticeable in broad lines. Also noticeable is the apparition on the map of the Romanian feudal state set between these two landmarks. The so-called „Carvona” or „Cavarna Country” was the nucleus of Dobrogean despotate and it was the region set between today’s Mangalia and Varna. This region was mentioned for the first time around 1230 in a privilege granted by King Asan II to the traders form Raguza.The information we currently have is, in fact, presenting a rather different and complex political situation in the region and this study wants to focus precisely upon this aspect. Keywords:Byzantium, The Dobrogean despotate, John the Vth Palaeologos, The Despotate of Dristra, Constantinople, The Country of Carvona. p.85
Macarie Drăgoi, Professor Sebastian Brock and his point of view on St. Ephrem the Syrian theological heritage Abstract: In order to shed some light on the spiritual heritage of Saint Ephrem, this paper shows his importance for the whole Christian Church, Eastern and Western, from all around the world, and several reasons for which he is so cherished and revered by all. Also are revealed some particular merits of the saint and his contribution for the eastern theology. Third, the merits of Professor Sebastian Brock in respect to his research on Saint Ephrem’s writings are underlined. I will refer primarily to his two books: The luminous Eye and The Hymns on Paradise. Next, the paper tries to emphasize the process of passing a Tradition and its uniqueness from onelocal church to another -namely the transition/translation of Saint Ephrem’s writings into Greek and consequently their spreading into the vast area of the Christian Church. Finally the paper will discuss the close relation between Saint Ephrem’s theology in particular and the Byzantine heritage: theology, liturgics, art. Keywords: St. Ephrem the Syrian, Christian Syrian theology, ancient Church, eastern church, Sebastian Brock. p.117
Jan Nicolae, The Christmas preach of St. Sophronius of Jerusalem Abstract: The Christmas homily of Saint Sophrony, preached in 634, ends by the confession of everybody’s yearn to see Christ, the water from the fountain of Bethlehem, fortress which had been conquered that year by the Saracens. We are dealing with a compact homily, dominated by the mix of doxological joy and jeremiahthic prophetical sadness, over which something from the complex of the sieged fortress sails. Theo dramatic Liturgy and Homily, developed around the Holy Places, specific to Palestinians and which is found within the genre of dialogued sermon, is less present within this homily, which is rather imbued with a historical dramatization. This homily represents an important historical document which attests the first interferences between Christianity and Islam throughout the VIIth century, but it is at the same time one of the most brilliant, by its lyricism, out of the homiletic pearls inherited from Saint Sophrony. Keywords: Christmas, Saint Sophrony of Jerusalem, sermon, pilgrimage to Bethlehem, the Arabian conquest. p.133
Ioan Cozma, The alienation of the ecclesiastical goods in ancient legislation (Iter brevis) Abstract:The principle that has governed from the beginning the ecclesiastical law as far as goods are concerned was that the ecclesiastical patrimony was inalienable. Nevertheless, the alienation of these goods was possible only in case of strict necessity and should such a case not bring prejudice to the Church. If this was the case, less important movable and immovable goods were preferably alienated. Church related persons were preferred to do the acquisition. Heretics have never been taken into consideration for that matter. Goods could never be acquired by the ecclesiastical treasurers and administrators, nor by the political authorities. In order for the goods to be alienated, the ecclesiastical authority had to establish that the Church in question was indeed in great need. The bishop’s consensus was not enough and had to come together with that of the presbyteral college and with the approval of the synod of the local province. The breaking of the church and civil laws had as a legal effect the nullity of the act and the punishment of those who had not observed the civil and the ecclesiastical laws. This principle has been preserved up to date in the particular legislation of the Orthodox Churches. Keywords: church property, alienation, temporal goods, canons, canon law, byzantine law. p.157
Alin Albu, The Metropolitan Varlaam of Bălgrad (Alba Iulia) – between the exigencies of the Orthodoxy and the Protestant Reform’s Programme or the Man of Culture’s Grace Abstract:This study intends to reconstitute an interesting biography of a Transylvanian Head of the Church from the end of the 17th century, an apologist of Orthodoxy who, unlike his predecessors, promoted the Orthodoxy through the culture. We are referring to the Metropolitan Varlaam (1685-1692) the antepenultimate metropolitan of Bălgrad who was ordained into this dignity from the position of archpriest of Bălgrad.Patron of the typographical activity from the ninth decade, tenacious initiator of the editorial programme destined for the consolidation of Orthodoxy, Varlaam ably succeeded to shift the disquieted atmosphere of the later 17th century to obtain a cultural-spiritual advantage for his Church.Beyond his editorial achievements, Varlaam has done a great service, firstly, to Orthodoxy, preserving and consolidating its rite and its dogmas and, secondly, to the Transylvanians by promoting the Romanian culture and linguistic elements. Hence, we have here an outstanding application of the confessional apologetic formulae in promoting culture. Keywords:confessional apology, cultural promotion, Transylvanian Orthodoxy, Romanian culture, typographical activity. p.173
Dorin Opriş, Organizational Forms of Education in the Early Centuries of the Church Abstract: imoportance of education in succesful road towards knowlwdge of God has led to consideration of its forms of organization as a priority  for the Church Fathers.  The relationship between theory and practice – then as now – is one of the essential conditions, great difficulty or success in religious education that goes beyond mere transmission of knowledge, their application simply based on legitimate: educational activities is dependent on the vocation of transmission service are put into Word. The forms of religious education crystallized in the early Christian centuries and remained so far are: catechesis, preaching and pilgrimages. Keywords: catechesis, preaching, pilgrimage, Christian education. p.189
Ovidiu Panaite, A short consideration regarding the byzantine educational model Abstract:The concept of theological education has a complex content, hierarchically arranged, which is to aquire dominant virtues. It is distinguished clearly as a formative content covering multiple areas such as cognitive, relational and social, emotional and personal development plus side information. Recovering the historical line of educational models appears as a necessity because of the pressure from multiconfesionality or the plurality of religions. Keywords: religious education, Byzantine education, virtues, plurality of religions, educational models. p.207

Nr. 2/ 2010 (May-August)

CONTENTS
II. Studies & Articles
Tudor Sălăgean, Transylvania and the Western areas in the Tenth Century and the Mission of the Bishop Hierotheos Abstract: The archaeological data at our disposal, synthesized and presented by Alexander Madgearu in a throughout and convincing manner, seems to favor the hypothesis which identify the location of the bishop Hierotheos’s residence somewhere at the confluence of the Mures and Tisa rivers, possibly in the Hungarian town Gyula. However, a number of leading historians are still believing that the Hierotheos’s residence was to be found in Bălgrad (Alba Iulia), an important political center in the 10th century, where was also resident a Transylvanian leader who hold the title or name of Gyula. The scarcity of available information and the signs of question posed by the two hypotheses leave the field open for future research. Keywords: Hierotheos, medieval Bălgrad, Gyula, Ahtum, Transylvanian bishopric, Alexandru Madgearu p.9
H. Tristram Engelhardt, The message is more than the medium   Abstract:The now-dominant culture of the contemporary West took shape as the result of a rupture from the Christendom established by St. Constantine the Great (A.D. 272-337) and by St. Justinian the Great (A.D. 483-565). The heirs of Paris, the heirs of the Enlightenment and of the French Revolution, now stand critically over against the heirs of Constantinople. They embrace commitments to a robustly secular public forum and public space within which the popular media invite all into a lifeworld structured around taken-for-granted expectations that are not simply post-traditional and post-modern but are set against the commitments of Orthodox Christianity. It is a post-Christian culture with a moderately anti-Christian animus. Secular expectations regarding liberty, equality, and human dignity have reconstituted the significance of sexuality, reproduction, ordinary life, dying, and death, placing them within a discourse that marginalizes Christian concerns, eliminates mention of Christ in public, renders immanent all reference to the transcendent, and eliminates all reference to holiness. This culture either ignores the question “who do you say that Jesus is?” or it answers by denying that He is the Messiah, the Second Person of the Trinity. This paper will explore this clash of cultures by showing how their incompatibility involves more than a clash of values, but a collision of foundationally different views of reality. Keywords: Secular expectations, Christ in public, post-Christian culture. p.25
Ioan Schiau, Filosophy and idea of Divine Being Abstract:The paper will present the ideas about the Divine Being that existed in philosophy before and after Plotin, the one that introduced the concept of God in philosophy by using an analogy between Plato’s idea of Good and the Christian idea of God. The first part entitled „The Ancient Greeks and philosophy” presents the concepts of Pythagoras, Parmenides, Plato and Plotin, while the second part entitled „The Christian philosophy and God” concepts of Toma d’Aquino, Berkeley, Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz. Keywords: God, Philosophy, concept, idea, One, Christianity. p.43
Ioan Vlaşin, Faith and philosophy of life at St. John Chrysostom and Martin Heidegger Abstract.The access to authenticity in Heidegger’s philosophy begins with being-toward-death. And by death, God shut the door of corruption and opened the gate of human collaboration to his own creation. St. John Chrysostom tells us that we cannot face death but only if we take Jesus Christ as an ally, so we can say that Heidegger’s philosophy has a Christian basis. Thus, being a silent explanation with Christianity, philosophy of Heidegger, may return a clear solution of world output, need for renaissance. Until man decides free to follow Christ, he should get out of this world’s spell, and a good guide is Heidegger. The struggle with the passions and unfortunately that belong to the world is less than world output. He reveals including how to the world’s spell extends through speech. Analyzing St. John’s discourse we discover its authenticity, the fact that is bears responsibility and full care, and especially the art of returning care to his listeners, surrending them of world’s concerns. From the study we observed a shift towards individual salvation of the Church (love available to individual) and forgetting its mission to bring people to the brotherly love and fellowship (individual available to love). Keywords:philosophy, faith, St. John Chrysostom, Heidegger, Truth, communion, death p.63
Gheorghe Istodor, Basic marks of God`s knowledge according to St. Basil the Great Abstract:According to Saint Basil the Great’s teachings on God, we have to take into account two important landmarks: reason and love. This means that knowing God is both something one learns and something one feels/lives. These landmarks are extremely important since there are two dimensions to consider when one gets to know the Lord. Therefore, the rational theological discourse highlights the importance of gnoseological language, and the living in communion with God by means of theological knowledge is an important part of the apophatic experience. There are steps to take when knowing God rationally, using an established gnoseological language, and where all discourse ends the apophatic experience commences. This apophasis is nothing but a way of knowing God in communion with Him. Keywords:St. Basil the Greate,knowing God, gnoseology, theological knoweledge, apophatic knoweledge. p.101
Liviu Petcu, Perpetual progress in St. Gregory of Nyssa’s In Canticum Canticorum Abstract:The notion of a perpetual spiritual progress or straining (ἐπέκτασις) toward the infinite God as the highest calling of a human beings – a classic leitmotif in the theological anthropology of Gregory of Nyssa – has been investigated extensively in secondary studies of the Cappadocian’s doctrine. Gregory of Nyssa describes the Christian soul as engaged in an endless pursuit of the inexhaustible God. While many Greek theologians have described the soul’s movement toward God, even using the word ἐπέκτασις drawing on Paul’s participle in Phil. 3:13, Gregory is original in claiming that man’s ultimate end is itself and endless progression. Gregory of Nyssa stands out among Christian theologians for developing an eschatology that denies the soul final knowledge, rest and satisfaction in God. On the one hand, God is satisfying to the soul. But Gregory’s eschatology is summed up in a paradox, that our satisfaction is never to be satisfied. Keywords:perpetual spiritual progress, infinite God, In Canticum canticorum, satisfaction in God, brides, union, perfection. p.117
Ioan Cozma, Mixed marriages in the theory and practice of the Orthodox Church Abstract:To what mixed marriages are concerned, the Church law has seen a gradual evolution in the first millennium: since the acceptance of such marriages, caused by social conditions and hoping that the unfaithful spouse would gradually become converted if they were categorically banned under the punitive sanction of nullity and excommunication for those who dared to contract. The main argument was that a marriage between a believer and an unbeliever could not be called marriage, whereas it was not a mystery. Despite the severity required by canonical and civil rules, mixed marriages will continue to be contracted, being a reality that the Church could not ignore. This thing led in time to another kind of approach of the phenomenon as such, and namely, the work of the Church in its two forms: the degradation (condescension) and the severity (acrivia). By applying this principle, the private law of some Orthodox Churches (Patriarchate of Constantinople and Romanian Patriarchate) will allow mixed marriages provided that certain provisions be respected, of which the most important refers to the celebration form and minister of cult. Thus, only those marriages celebrated by an Orthodox priest in the Orthodox rite are allowed. Keywords: mixed marriage, canon law, the Romanian Orthodox Church, synod, sacramental matrimonial legislation p.147
Teofil Tia, Democracy: exigent context of the pastoral activity. Promoting “Human Rights”- “part” of the Church’s present mission/pastoral? Abstract: There is no such thing as an “ontological alliance” between democracy and the ethical relativism, as some detractors of the democratic organization form of society tried to accredit. However, there is “a” truth, as well as “some” truths of democracy, in the sense that democratic regimes are a “guardian” of social harmony, at the risk of weakening the tension of the pursuit of the unique and supreme truth, the metaphysical one. This is the very reason why democracy operates a well-established distinction between “the dignity of the persons” and the “truth of the ideas” they proclaim. The persons must be respected, even though the positions they sustain temporarily are erroneous. The disquietude whether “Truth = fanaticism = intolerance” constitutes a definitive subconscious equation for democracy or not, finds itself a comfortable answer. The second part of our study regards a brief theological reading of the vast problematic of the Human Rights, inspired by the historical pathway of Western Catholicism. The code of human rights constitutes an established form of juridical and political coagulation of the “Global Community” in the contemporary epoch. From the perspective of the Western Catholic pastoral, promoting Human Rights is an integrant part of the Church’s mission in today’s world. Between “Human Rights ” and “God’s rights” there is only an apparent opposition, as the universality of human rights is rooted in the creation of man “in God’s image”(Genesis 1, 26-27) and in the universal salvation accomplished by Christ the Savior through His Death and Resurrection, events that exclude any competition between “Human Rights ” and “God’s rights”. Keywords: Post-Enlightening Decadences; ethical relativism; the ontological alliance; decayed civilization; human dignity p.167
Dorin Opriş, Religion classes, between curricular exigencies and family and society expectations Abstract: In Romania, the implementation of religious education follows the confessional-cooperative model, the responsibility for the elaboration of the curriculum which is confessional predominantly belongs to the religious community and state. Even though so far there was no research on curricular assessment, as far as Religion is concerned one can analyze the results of some research whose purpose was to ascertain the opinion of the main educational factors and parents on educational issues such as: the importance of religion in their life, the school time appropriate for religion study, the effects of studying religion on various aspects etc. Their conclusions converge in the vast majority of respondents to the recognition of the values transmitted by this discipline and their adoption by the students. Keywords: curriculum, religion, cooperative and confessional design, research, society, family. p.187
Ştefan Argatu, The Romanian and the Jewish problem between yars 1940 and 1944 Abstract: Remarkable personality of the Orthodox church and Romanian nation, metropolitan Nicolae Bălan, interceded in favor of 70.000 Jews so that they will not be deported from the country, by talking to marshal Antonescu, Prime Ministers Văitoianu and Mihai Antonescu and even Queen Elena. This facts shows that this illuminated hierarch, who was always animated by Christian thoughts and love towards the honest hat were hurt, is an important figure in writing a page of our church ancient history and about our nation, too. Keywords: Jews, Orthodox Church, Roman-Catholic Church, baptism, christening, conversion, Christianity, deportation, racism. p.207
Petru Pruteanu, The Sacrament of Holly Unction: History and actuality Abstract: Romanian liturgical bibliography don’t know till now a historical and philological approach of the Anointing of the Sick (one of seven Sacraments), even the modern liturgical researchers is offering studies and books on this issue. This is the reason who urged us, on the one hand to make knew the historical moments of development of this service, on the other hand, to approach to the local and actual pastoral problems which clergy or believers meet. After a short historical touch of the subject of history of Anointing of the Sick texts, we observed a great development between XI-XVII-th century. We also observed, even at the official level all Orthodox Churches have approximately the same rubrics on this subject, the understanding and liturgical practice differ from one to another pretty much, arriving some times to a pietistic exaggerations or to liberal approach concerning this important one of seventh Sacraments of the Church. We also hope this study will fulfill this large liturgical void of Romanian liturgical science. We also are conscious about our to schematic and resumed approach, but we attempted to offer an opportunity of reflection on this subject to those who are not habituated with scientific approach of Church services in Euchologion. Keywords:Anointing of the Sick, euchologion, manuscripts, liturgical services, history of liturgy, onction, Holy oil. p. 223
Cezar Login, The Pre-anaphoral rites of the Greek Egyptian Liturgies of St. Gregory the Theologian and St. Basil the Great Abstract. The Greek liturgical tradition includes not only the Byzantine Liturgies, but also some rare, less known Greek texts belonging to other eastern traditions (Jerusalem, Alexandria etc.). Recently, a particular interest for the Egyptian liturgies can be observed. The Greek Egyptian liturgical family includes three liturgies: The Liturgy of Saint Mark and the two “borrowed” Cappadocian liturgies of Saint Gregory the Theologian and of Saint Basil the Great. Their central part, the Anaphora, was extensively studied. However, their initial part, the Liturgy of the Word and the Pre-anaphoral rites have been less analyzed. Here we try to offer a complete Romanian translation of the Pre-anaphoral rites of the Liturgies of Saint Gregory of Nazianzus and of Saint Basil, accompanied by a concise analysis of their text.  Keywords: Egyptian Liturgy, pre-anaphoral rites, St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory of Nazianzus, St. Mark. p. 243
Monica Opriş, Objective criteria in choosing evaluation methods for Religion Abstract:Evaluative act complexity entails the need to elect a methodological system in accordance with the rationality of the educational process. Choosing one or another assessment method or a method system that supports and complements each other depends on factors such as objective and subjective ones, which allowed us to classify the criteria by nature. Here are some objective factors, like: pedagogical regularities, aims pursued, the fundamental objective of the lesson, learning content to Religion, degree of integration of new acquisitions, the need to adapt to specific educational situation, organizational form of teaching religion, educational environment of the school, teaching resources, temporal resources. Keywords: methods of evaluation, the purpose of religion, learning content, degree of integration of acquisitions, educational environment p. 263

Nr. 3/ 2010 (Septembrie-Decembrie)

CONTENTS
I.  EDITORIAL
Ovidiu Panaite, Holly Matrimony, prolegomena for „2011, Homage-Paying year for Sacrament of Baptism and Sacrament of Matrimony” în Romanian Patriarchate p. 9
II.  STUDIES & ARTICLES
Petru Pruteanu, Historical and liturgical study on the Sacrament of Matrimony. Abstract:The post-apostolic practice of the matrimony’s blessing has become the Sacrament of Matrimony relatively late (compared to other practices of our Church) and the separation of this service from the Eucharist has meant the decisive step in establishing today’s practice, very different from the ancient one. Therefore, we considered it necessary to write a historical study on this practice, critically analysing its text and also bringing forth some suggestions for the improval of the future editions of the Euchologion.Unfortunately, most of the studies on the evolution of our liturgical worship are regarded with reservation, and expressions such as ”critical edition”, ”critical study” are viewed negatively (with the exception of a small number of researchers). Nevertheless, we hope that the common efforts of worlwide liturgists, including the Romanian ones, can support priests, theology students and even simple believers to get used to the idea that the Church’s services have evolved, that this process is not over and never will be, and also that the liturgical differences between certain Churches should not be easily catalogued as ”orthodox” or ”heretical”. Keywords: matrimony, euchologion, eucharist, betrothal, wedding. p. 17
Cezar Login, Eucharist and Marriage. Abstract. In the Orthodox tradition always existed a theological relation between the Sacrament of Marriage and the Eucharist. However, we do not know how this relation was expressed in the sacramental life during the first eight centuries, since the first witness for the Marriage service is found in Barberini Gr. 336 codex (8th century) which contains almost the same order as today, except that the Marriage service is a form of Presanctified Liturgy, during which the newly wedded couple received the reserved Communion from a Eucharistic Liturgy previously celebrated. Recently, a new approach can be seen: a “combination” of the Marriage service with the Eucharistic Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. But, are there any real ancient sources for this practice? Is this structure genuine, or it is only an “innovation”? Which is the impact of this new structure on the ecclesiology? We will try to answer these questions in the following article.  Keywords: Marriage, Eucharist, Presanctified Liturgy, Wedding Liturgy, Ecclesiology. p. 47
Dumitru A. Vanca, The order of Marriage in Romanian Euchologhion from XVIIth Century. Abstract:Excepting the Arabs, Romanians are the only orthodox nation who has liturgical books translated into spoken language.This phenomenon of earlier translation, initiated in XVIth century under Reform pressure, grown and have been accelerated in XVIIth century, so at the end of it almost all liturgical books was translated into Romanian. Being one of last coming „sacraments” into „liturgical and dogmatical canon list”, the shape of this ceremony acquired a progressive office which arrived at a final form tardily. This study shows the evolution of orthodox liturgies of Marriage (Betrothal service, Matrimony and second/third wedding) according with first Romanian printed Euchologhion: Braşov, 1667 (by Coresi), Iaşi, 1681 (by Metropolitan Dosoftei), Alba Iulia, 1689 (by archpriest Ioan Zoba), Buzău, 1699 (by bishop Mitrofan) and Metropolitan Antim Ivireanu’s editions (Râmnic 1706, Târgovişte 1713). Our research is putting in light the evidence of a common substance in spite of a significant difference of Transylvanian Euchologhion of archpriest Ioan Zoba. This my lead us to supposition of an older spring for Transylvanian version, much closer to ancient version as it is Codex Barberinus gr. 336, then the other Romanian translation. For instance, the Euchologhion of Ioan Zoba still retains the kiss of peace (between bridegroom and his bride) and Holly Communion. Also it has a very penitential text for the II-nd Matrimony; for instance the crown should be put only on to the partner who has not been yet married and the Gospel (Mat 19, 3-12) is remembering the importance of marriage, difficulty of divorce etc. Keywords: Betrothal liturgy and Marriage, old Romanian Euchologion, Orthodox Church in XVIIth century, Romanian first printed books p. 63
Corinna Hayes, „Er schuf sie als Mann und Frau“ Orthodoxe Anmerkungen zur säkularen Kultur der Gleichberechtigung Abstract:Opposing the contemporary liberal and egalitarian project of securing equality in status and opportunity between the sexes by relativizing their differences, this essay examines what the Tradition teaches on the relationship between man and woman. Against modernizing tendencies, even within Orthodox academic literature, to see both merely as equal and complementary, the essay’s first part explores the guidance provided by Genesis, Christ’s own attitude to women, and the Apostolic letters, all of which affirm a male monarchy. The implications of this teaching for marital love are developed in the second part. Against the dominant view that love requires equality, three dimensions of the lovers’ inequality are laid out in terms of therapeutic equalizing of un-equals, mutual training in selflessness, and emulating the Divine love. As a result, the love between husband and wife surfaces as a diversified obedience structure that responds to and mirrors the monarchical character of the Divine love. The conclusion draws out some implications of that theological ideal for husbands and wives in egalitarian social democracies. It locates the major challenge for Christians today in the need to keep their pursuit of holiness clear of the secular moral discourse endorsed in their social environment. Keywords: Gender mainstreaming, feminism, love, male authority, Divine monarchy, inequality, obedience p. 85
Emil Jurcan, God from the perspective of a contextual theology. The feminist movement and the authentic Christian position regarding the theme of theognosia. Abstract: Feminism is an attack especially to the Trinitarian dogma. It considers that the Bible is dependent on a patriarchal age in which women were subordinate to men. Feminist theology offers a number of proposals for the “feminization” of God such as emphasising the feminine attributes of God or changing the name of God the Father in the Divine Mother. This theological current also claims a return to the matriarchal period, when worship was practiced everywhere. Orthodox theology sees in this line a vulgarization of God, Who is also placed into human frames. It calls for a return to the authentic divine revelation, which must not be perverted by ideological models. Keywords p. 131
Ioan Cozma, 

 The Spiritual Kinship as an Impediment in the Sacrament of the Matrimony.  

Abstract: The spiritual kinship is the connection of the relationship determined by the act of being held during the baptism or by the act of being assisted during the matrimony. However, this type of relationship has witnessed a progressive evolution. The spiritual kinship was considered an impediment in getting married only in the 6th century, during the reign of the emperor Justinian the Great. During the 7th century this type of kinship was anchored well enough in the religious tradition and practice and was even considered superior to the earthly one. The fathers of the Trullan synod analyzed this type of relationship, considering it an impediment in marriage between cousins twice removed. During the 19th century the impediment was established between cousins three times removed. Inside the Romanian Orthodox Church this type of kinship constitutes an impediment between cousins three times removed, who may get married with a marriage license from the local bishop.

Keywords: kinship, matrimony, marriage, canonic law, religious legislation

 p. 151
Simion Todoran, Marriage in the light of the New Testament.  

Abstract: Marriage is a “social contract” from a profane point of view, or a legal union between a man and a woman, a free consent agreement to start a family and perpetuate the nation; sometimes, it is accomplished out of familiar interests or of other nature. This act constitutes a universal law. From a biblical and Christian point of view, marriage is the sacred act of ”divine origin” founded by God from the beginning of human existence: ”It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” The expression ”a suitable helper” has a Jewish connotation; it means much more than  physical support, such as the one necessary to take care of the garden. ”And the rib taken from Adam by God, was made a woman which God brought to Adam”… ”For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (Gen. 2, 18-24; acc. to Matt. 19, 5-6). “God had created Eve not only to help Adam, but also to save him from solitude; only because they complement each other, they are the complete human being.” Here is the scriptural basis of marriage, both as a natural and creation act, as well as a divine institution, for those who marry are united by God: “Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Mat. 19, 6).

This union is based on the natural affinity of people, the sexual instinct, the vocation of man and woman to be fertile, to multiply and replenish the earth. (acc. to Gen. 1, 28). In time, the original form of this union has been distorted either by polygamy, or by the reduction of marriage to a mere provisional contract, or by the consideration of the body as an object for prostitution, or by the so-called “trial marriage”

In Judaism, the act of getting married and, thus, having a family, was normal. The fall into sin has caused the family the loss of some attributes which God has taken into consideration when He created it.

Keywords: marriage, sacrament, man, woman, family, Church, New Testament

p. 173
Mihai Himcinschi, 

 Family, Church and School are institutions that influence religious conditions and attitudes of young people.  

Abstract: Religious education starts in the family, continues at school and is perfected in the Church. Because young people benefit of Christian-spiritual training in schools, high schools and universities, the missionary priest has the responsibility to assist the transition from the informal side to the formal or the spiritual aspect of religious education. Religious attitude of young people in today’s family and society is a proof that religion has the power to shape their characters.

Keywords: Christian family, religious education, ethics, moral, and marriage.

  

p. 205
Dorin Opriş, Manifestation of religious values in the family.  

Abstract: To say that family is an important factor of children education is a truism. Too often, when it comes to religious education in the family we tend to look at things superficially or even  to eliminate essential items which are disturbing for the spiritual well-being of the parents who tend to place full responsibility on this key dimension of education only on schools and church. In the research we conducted we have proposed to identify not only the share of religious education that comes from parents toward children, but also how children become missionaries in their family, by applying knowledge learned in religious discipline. In the research were involved 336 students in grades IX – XII of three high schools in Alba Iulia.

The research has proposed to test the following hypothesis: the religious life of the family is built using models of religiosity, which can come both from parents to children and from children to parents, especially in the context of the  presence of religion as a subject matter in schools.

Student responses to the 10 items of the administered survey highlight several aspects of how religious values are manifested in the family.

Keywords: family, religious values, a model of religiosity, religious education, research, religion as subject matter

 p. 191
III. VARIA
Remus Onişor, 

 The value of Christian Apocrypha.  

Abstract: The New Testament apocrypha are a number of writings by early Christians that give accounts of Jesus and his teaching, the nature of God, or the teaching of his Apostles and their lives.

Not every branch of the Christian church agrees on which writings should be regarded as “canonical” and which are ”apocryphal”.

The word ”apocrypha” means ”hidden writings” and comes from the Greek through Latin.

Keywords: Apocryphal Christian Literature, Infancy, Gospels, Dialogues whith Jesus, Epistles, Acts, Apocalypses, Early Christianity, Gnostic texts.

 p. 227
Marius Telea, The Illyricum Issue in the Context of the Disputes between Byzantium and Papacy.  

Abstract: The jurisdiction of Illyricum has been regarded not only as a problem of regional interest, but as a concern of major general interest as well. The reason was due to the fact that a great deal of different peoples lived within the religious Illyricum, and the right of jurisdiction over it generated a great dispute between Rome and Constantinople. Illyricum always represented a vital matter for Byzantium, while for the papacy it was considered to be  a matter of honour, and from here the strength of those fighting in that conflict.

The Papacy used all the local grievances and all types of other ways in order to justify and impose its domination over that region. Some of the local hierarchical leaders enjoyed the very play between Rome and Byzantium, in their search for personal interests, or in their try of benefitting from an easier and more useful patronage.

Confronted with the unjustified interventions of the Papacy in the Province of Illyricum, Byzantium tried to neutralize these options by including the region in the Constantinople Patriarchy, without allowing Rome the permission to consolidate a serious religious-administrative unit here.

Keywords: Illyricum, papacy, Byzantium, jurisdiction, conflict

  

p. 249
Alin Albu, 

 A Special Social Case from the Second World War: the Orthodox Priesthood from the Apuseni Mountains (from Transylvania, Romania).  

Abstract: Due to the depression generated by the Second World War, the life conditions of the priests living in the Apuseni Mountains have become worse and worse. Thus from religious and social workers for their parishioners the priests have become themselves social cases, reaching a point in which they were on the verge to leave the area they inhabited. This was also a problem for the Ministry of Cults which offered annual funding, but the amount of money was so small that it caused chain protests. From 1941 to 1943 a progressive mobilisation and solidarity of the priesthood was visible in the number of written statements for the State authorities in which they requested a bonus in their wages. This bonus would have improved the situation of the under-privileged and it would have been a solution for a rather long period of time. However, the Ministry rejected the written statements and continued to offer limited funding which was only an immediate solution and did not solve the main issues. The sole faithful supporter of the priesthood was the Romanian Orthodox Vicariate of Alba Iulia that made all the necessary efforts in offering minimum social protection to the ones in need.

Keywords: Second World War, Apuseni Mountains, Romanian Orthodox Vicariate of Alba Iulia, the Orthodox priesthood, depression, social insecurity, social support, protests, claims.

 

p. 263
Alexandru Moldovan,  

 From the Babel project to the Pentecost. Restoring communication  through the work of the Holy Spirit.  

Abstract: The starting point of this study is represented by the Saviour’s words from Matthew’s gospel (Mt 12, 36). In its first part, the study sets to discover the meaning of these words and their relevance in today’s world. As always, the word of God is centred on us, the “servants of the word” (Lk 1, 2). The Holy Scripture has never been studied as it is today; there has never been as much talk about God as nowadays. However, it is now more than ever that we feel we must take into consideration Jesus’ warning addressed to the false prophets of his days because never until this day has the number of human words been as dense as to suffocate God’s word. The inflation of words also threatens the word of God. In its second part, the study brings into focus the antithetically paralleled relationship between the “episode of the Tower of Babel” from the 11th Chapter of the Book of Genesis and the “episode of the Pentecost” from the 2nd Chapter of the Acts and it presents the two models of unity reflected in these two biblical episodes.

Keywords: “the Babel project”, unity project, communication, word inflation, false prophets, antithetically parallel relationship, model of unity, human projects, unity in the Holy Spirit.

  

p. 281