The members of the Eparchial Assembly of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților met today, January 22, 2022, in the annual working session, during which the balance of the entire activity of the diocese in 2021 was presented.
At the opening, His Eminence Archbishop Calinic, the Archbishop's counselors and inspectors, as well as members of the ecclesiastical forum, clergy and lay people, participated in the Mass of the Te-Deum, celebrated in the large church of the Monastery „St. John the New” by His Eminence the Most Reverend Father Damaschin Dorneanul, Bishop-Vicar. Through the moments of prayer, thanksgiving was offered to God for the blessings bestowed on the faithful of the diocese during the year that has ended. The liturgical responses were given by the Psaltic Group „Dimitrie Suceveanu” of the Archiepiscopal Cathedral.
Next, in the „Pimen the Archbishop” Hall of the Suceava Eparchial Center, under the presidency of His Eminence Calinic, after the roll call, the work of the working session was held, not before a moment of silence for Father Mihai Argatu, former member of the Eparchial Assembly, who passed away in December 2021.
During the meeting the general reports of the sectors of the diocesan administration were presented. In this way, the activity of the Romanian Orthodox Church during the past year was highlighted Pastorship of Romanians outside Romania, and to those who have fallen asleep in the Lord, in all areas of church life, while setting objectives for 2022.
The Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților aims to continue missionary, educational, philanthropic and cultural activities, as well as to support the administrative-economic works, through the involvement and cooperation of all sectors of the Eparchial Center.
Among the priorities of the current year, the construction of a hermitage in Vadu Negrilesei, near the place of hermit's place of need of the Archimandrite Cleopa Ilie. Since the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church is taking steps for the canonization of the great spiritual leader in 2025, the monastery will be dedicated to Father Cleopa.
It also aims to start a scholarship program at the level of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților and to launch a digital platform for religion teachers and for all those involved in the field of Christian education in the diocese, through which useful resources will be made available, necessary for improving the teaching of religion.
We also want to produce publications presenting the parishes, monasteries and hermitages, in leaflets, booklets and albums, and a website presenting them, as well as the organization of thematic camps where biblical and catechetical workshops will be held.
The Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților is also considering the development of a home care network in each town in Suceava County, as well as the establishment of an association with the objectives of social inclusion, equal opportunities and combating domestic violence.
Also a priority for this year is the launch of the Rehabilitation and Consolidation Project of the Monastery of St. John the New„, but also to continue the construction of the Eparchial Center „Dositei Episcopul”, and the administrative headquarters of the Orthodox Theological High School Seminary „Metropolitan Dosoftei” Suceava.
Last but not least, there are plans to make a new coffin for the relics of St. John the New, worked in the Workshops of the Romanian Patriarchate, and to prepare the 500th anniversary of the consecration of the monastic complex of St. John the New.
Along with the Archbishop, the event was attended by His Eminence the Most Reverend Damaschin Dorneanul, Bishop-Vicar, representatives of the Eparchial Cabinet and Chancellery, members of the Eparchial Assembly commissions, councilors of the Eparchial Center and representatives of public institutions, including Mr. Ion Lungu, Mayor of Suceava, Mr. Gheorghe Alexandru Moldovan, Prefect of Suceava County, Mr. Petru Tanase, Secretary, representative of the Suceava County Council, and Mr. Grigore Bocanci, General School Inspector of Suceava County.
Mr. Ioan Lungu addressed a word of thanks, pointing out the help given by the institution he represents to the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților, and underlined the impact of the processions through the county with the relics of St. John the New from Suceava, with a visible reduction in the number of illnesses during this pandemic period. „We have statistics, testimonies of people who have been cured or whose condition has improved as a result of the passage with the relics of St. John the New St. John through the courtyard of hospitals or nearby. We don't know how things will develop, but to the extent that it will be necessary, we will appeal to you to make another pilgrimage with the Saint through the city and the county.”
Next, the Prefect of Suceava County, Mr. Gheorghe Alexandru Moldovan, emphasized the importance of cultivating solidarity, unity and faith, so necessary in the current context. At the same time, he expressed his wish that all the 114 territorial administrative units of our county to get actively involved in supporting such projects that are beneficial for the whole community.
Mr. Petru Tănase's speech began with a thought of thanks from Eng. Gheorghe Flutur, President of Suceava County Council. The members of the Eparchial Council were congratulated for their work, but also for the laborious preparation of the activity report.
Mr. Grigore Bocanci, General School Inspector of Suceava County, Mrs. Daniela Ceredeev, religion inspector, and Fr. Aurel Goraș, dean of the Deanery of Câmpulung Moldovenesc, also took the floor, after which the activity reports were approved.
In his concluding words, His Eminence Calinic offered a token of gratitude to those who have been involved in the smooth running of the work of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților in 2021 and emphasized that all these achievements are the result of the efforts of all. „All this work, recorded in the pages of the volume you have received as a gift, was not done by one man, but it is a joint-work. For this reason, I would like to thank the fathers counselors, the fathers protopopes, the fathers exarchs and abbots, the abbesses, the fathers of parishes and monasteries, the monks and nuns who labor in our holy monasteries and hermitages, the central, county and local authorities, the leadership of various institutions and all those who have supported the activities and work of the Church in Bucovina, as well as the faithful of our archdiocese. A thought of gratitude is also due to those who are no longer with us, painfully and unexpectedly passed away, but who have labored with us in the past year.”
Below is a summary of the presentation of the work of the sectors of the Eparchial Center of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților in 2021.
Cabinet and Eparchial Chancery, represented by Arch. Paraschiv Dabija, administrative vicar, brought to the attention of the members of the Assembly the most important events and activities that took place in the diocese in 2021. Data related to the sacramental-liturgical, pastoral-missionary and cultural-public activity of the hierarchs, as well as details of their administrative, official and representative activity were presented. The achievements of the Chancellery's sub-structures were also highlighted: Eparchial Secretariat, Registration, Archive, Church Inspection Body and Internal Prevention and Protection Service.
Sector Administrative-Church presented the most important actions undertaken by the councillor in charge, Fr. Dimitrie Horga, as well as aspects related to the work of the departments Human Resources and Cemeteries, monuments and funeral services. Among other things, in 2021 we managed to inventory and compile a database of all the cemeteries in the diocesan dioceses, the campaign „No grave without a flower and a candle” was organized, as well as the contest „The most well-kept cemetery”.
Activity Exarchate of Monasteries, presented by Arch. Melchisedec Velnic, brought to the attention of those present one of the most important actions initiated and started by His Eminence Archbishop Calinic, namely the reorganization and reinvigoration of monastic life in the Bucovina settlements, last year being reestablished the monasteries closed during the Austrian period: Solca, Pătrăuți, Ilișești, Ițcani, Bălinești and the opening of Arbore Monastery. A special moment was dedicated to the most important events that took place in the previous year: The Archiepiscopal Cathedral - „St. John the New” Monastery” and Celebrating at Putna Monastery, an event attended by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the great „Serbare de la Putna” in 1871.
Arch. Ionuț Isopescu, counselor in the Sector Educational-Theological, presented the events, programs and courses held over the past year, both those initiated by the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților and those organized in partnership with other institutions, for priests, teachers and lay people. Among these, we would like to mention the projects: the „Traveling and Sanctifying Bible”, „Sunday School” and „Summer School - Children at the Altar”, „Good Deeds Olympics”, etc. The activities supported by the Orthodox High School Theological Seminary „Metropolitan Dosoftei” Suceava and the „St. John the New” School were also highlighted.
By the report of Sector Cultural, Constantin Oprea, presented by Fr. Constantin Oprea, the numerous cultural events, conferences, colloquia and symposia organized in the diocese were presented to the Assembly. Moreover, it was recalled that in 2021 the magazine „Candela” was reactivated, the first edition of the Eparchial Competition „Sound of the Drum” was organized and numerous diocesan orders and distinctions of merit were awarded.
Sector Communication, Media and Public Relations, Alexandru-Flavian Sava, represented by Fr. Alexandru-Flavian Sava, was distinguished by a rich activity in promoting the projects carried out by the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților. By Media Department, the management of the Archdiocese's social media channels, communication with local and national press, as well as the preparation of graphic, text, audio, photo and video materials. Among the most important projects carried out in the last year are the National Contest „Child's Voice - Mother of God, God's Gift to People”, the series „Christ in the Cave of the Heart”, the live broadcasting of the Masses at the Archbishop's Cathedral, the events organized by the Eparchial Center, as well as by churches and monasteries (archiepiscopal liturgies, conferences, symposia, concerts).
Sector Publishing and printing, Ciprian Constantin Blaga, took care of the publication of the publishing projects of the Archbishop, the printing of books and all the materials of the Archdiocese in the Crimca Publishing House. The sector, established in July 2021, was involved in the reorganization of the Printing House and Publishing House of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților, which has recently undergone a large modernization process.
Pr. Nicu Spînu, counselor in the Sector Digitalization and Information Technology, spoke to those present about the implementation of projects and new computer systems and the maintenance work of the Eparchial Center workstations. In 2021 the website was launched archiepiscoppiasucevei.ro, the website of the Crimca Foundation was launched www.fundatiacrimca.ro and the store's online sales platform arimateea.ro.
Sector Activity Social Philanthropic, coordinated by Arch. Iustin Tănase, was characterized by the development of numerous charitable projects, during which 4,723 interventions were carried out for children and families in need, the elderly and people with disabilities, and material and financial aid totaling 803,962 lei was provided. We would like to mention some of the campaigns carried out in 2021: „But towards the Resurrection”, „Blood for Romania”, „For the first time at the seaside”, „The Joy's Schoolbag” and, last but not least, the project „A Christmas for everyone”. Various social and philanthropic activities took place in the protopopies, parishes and monasteries of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților, providing financial support totaling 1,614,646 lei for a total of 17,202 beneficiaries (children, elderly, people in need, families in difficulty, etc.) and material support consisting of food, building materials, clothing totaling 2,409,734 lei for a total of 80,368 beneficiaries.
Sectoral reporting Medical and Care, presented by Arch. Vartolomeu Chira, brought to the attention of those present the work carried out by the sub-structures of the sector, DArimateea pharmaceutical department and Ddepartment of endorsements, as well as the archdiocesan laboratories. Programs such as „Medical Caravan” and „St. John the New Association of Suceava” were mentioned.
Speech of the Sector representative from Pastoral Mission and Christian Actuality, Filaret Ruscan, referred to the activities aimed at the continuous formation of clerical and non-clerical staff, the intensification of youth ministry and the support of the spiritual sons of the diocese, who are abroad. These include the pastoral-missionary circles and liturgical services of the missionary protopopes. Via Department of Cultural, Social and Identity Mission; Minorities initiated and maintained relations with representatives of the ethnic groups of the diocese, through consultative meetings and various collaborative projects.
Sector Catechization, Youth and Life Education, set up in October last year, led by Mr. Cristi-Gabriel Hurjui, has been involved, among other things, in setting up numerous youth centers Ecclesia in high schools and parishes of the diocese, in close cooperation with the Suceava County School Inspectorate. Among the actions undertaken by the departments Catechesis, Youth activities and Camps and Pilgrimages the football championship for young people from the parishes of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților was organized and the camp projects ”Treasures of the Village” and "Daredevils on the road of knowledge" were started.
Sector Councillor Economic Financial, Viorel Ilișoi, presented the economic situation of the diocese, the annual budget of income and expenditure, as well as the audit and internal financial control. He also presented the development process of the sub-structures of the sector: the Department of Colportaj, the Department of Pilgrimages and Insurance, the Technical Department of Procurement, Supplies and Transportation, the Candle Factory, the Tailoring Workshop „St. Lydia”, the Embroidery Workshop, the Painting Workshop „Mihail Moroșan”.
In 2021, the Sector Legal and Consulting, Ioan Bîrsan, represented the Archdiocese before all courts of law and drafted the necessary documents for the activity of the Eparchial Center, according to the legislation. Through the sector's efforts, the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților and other religious establishments in the diocese were able to acquire or regain several property titles.
Mr. lawyer Daniel Dumitru Ionașcu, diocesan counselor, together with the members of the Sector Legal Affairs of the Romanian Orthodox Church Fund of Bucovina, was involved in defending the interests of the Church Fund in numerous cases. At the same time, the necessary steps were taken for the recovery of the Church Fund and for the inventory of parishes, monasteries, the Eparchial Center and its sub-units.
Sector Activity Monuments, Heritage and Church Architecture was presented by Arch. Vasile M. Demciuc. The restoration works within the Archdiocese of Suceva and Rădăuților completed in 2021, those in progress, the books, brochures and leaflets published, as well as the valorization in the media of the cultural-educational and pastoral potential of the monuments were mentioned. The participation in the program „Art and Heritage” initiated by Trinitas TV for the promotion of UNESCO Monuments, and the drafting in collaboration with the Exarhat sector of the Regulation „on the protection and image enhancement” of the historical monuments of the diocese were presented, among other things.
Head of Sector Church Projects and Construction, Eftimie Mutescu, referred to the work phases of the projects started in 2021, the recommendations of the endorsement committee and the models provided by the sector. Furthermore, he presented some of the major projects completed last year: „St. Jacob the Putnean Metropolitan” Eccleseship, „St. Joseph the Merciful Metropolitan” Communion Trapeza, Tourism and Insurance Agency Egeria Travel, as well as ongoing projects.
External and Internal Funds Sector, Alexandru Pavel, coordinated by Fr. Alexandru Pavel, made known the position of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților within the Suceava County Development Strategy. He presented the projects submitted, those in the pipeline and their partners and the correlation with the funding lines forecast for 2022. The sector has initiated a constructive dialog of collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in the following fields: technological, scientific, medical, agro-forestry, cultural, tourism and education
Eparchial Counselor of the Sector Agro-Silvic Church, Mr. Ciprian Dumitru Muscă, presented data on the Electronic Land and Buildings Register, as well as on forestry, agricultural, wine structures. The report also included information on the production and harvest of 2021 and data related to the restoration project of the monument „Casino Baths” in Vatra Dornei.
St. John the New Monastery„ – Archiepiscopal Cathedral of Suceava, an integral part of the Eparchial Center, was represented by the abbot of the monastic settlement, Arch. Serafim Grigoraș, and the great ecclesiasarch, Arch. Valerian Radu. During the presentations it was recalled that in 2021 the place of worship was endowed with numerous gifts, vestments, holy vessels, books, and other things necessary for liturgical services. Also in this year, the Monastery of St. John was reopened.
Irina Ursachi
Photo credit: pr. Nicu Spînu, pr. Iosif Andronic, Cristi Turculeț
