In the middle of the Dragomirna oak forest, at the site known as „Poiana lui Anton,” at the Sihăstria Dragomirnei Monastery, the third pastoral-missionary conference of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți took place yesterday, November 6, 2023, this time with the clergy of the Suceava I Deanery.
The pastoral-missionary meeting, whose theme was inspired by the special significance of the year 2023 in the Romanian Patriarchate—„The Year of Pastoral Care for the Elderly” and „The Year of Commemoration of Hymnographers and Church Singers”— began with the celebration of the Holy and Divine Liturgy in the church dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles. Thus, in a spirit of prayer, the clergy present rejoiced in the joint celebration presided over by His Eminence Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuți, along with His Grace Damaschin Dorneanul, Vicar Bishop; Archimandrite Paraschiv Dabija, administrative vicar; and Fr. Ionel Doru Budeanu, protoiereus.
At the conclusion of the service, during which the liturgical responses were provided by the „Ștefan Nosievici” Choir, conducted by Fr. Ciprian Constantin Curcă, His Eminence Archbishop Calinic ordained 21 priests as stavrofor iconom.
Order „St. Mucenic St. John the New from Suceava”, presented by His Grace Damaschin Dorneanul, was awarded by the local bishop to some worthy ministers of the holy altars, winners of the Diocesan Contest „The Best-Maintained Cemetery.”. First Prize was obtained by Fr. Ionel Doru Budeanu, Salcea Parish, Second Prize The second prize went to Fr. Dimitrie Horga of the Călugăreni Parish, and the third prize was awarded to Fr. Ioan Lezeriuc of the Siminicea I Parish.
At the same time, His Grace awarded the distinction named after the archdiocese’s patron saint to several church singers and to Fr. Ionuț Orhei, from the Poiana Parish in the village of Zvoriștea, as a token of appreciation and encouragement for the work done within the parish.
Order „Bukovina Cross”, the highest honor of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți, was conferred by His Eminence Calinic upon Protosinghel Petru Hanu Pangrati, the spiritual father of the host monastery, Abbess Maria Bodnar, as well as to several worthy ministers within the deanery, including Fr. Nicolae Horga, former diocesan inspector, Ms. Mihaela Cobziuc, accountant at the Deanery Office, and Fr. Ștefan Dobrin Hisem, from the Pacea I Parish, following their victory in Special Prize as part of the „Best-Maintained Cemetery” Contest—3rd edition.
Along with those who took part in the Divine Liturgy, representatives of the relevant departments of the Suceava Diocesan Center joined the conference presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Calinic, in the conference room of the monastic complex.
After the prayer was recited, roll call was taken, followed by a welcome address by His Eminence Archbishop Calinic. The priests„ conference began with a presentation titled ”Old Age Combined with Suffering—A Pastoral and Missionary Challenge for the Parish Priest,„ delivered by Fr. Nicolae Coca of the ”Saint Elijah the Prophet” Parish in Botoșana. Starting from the concept that Suffering is a state of abnormality and an expression of existential disorder, the author presented aspects of the emotional and physical suffering of the elderly, emphasizing that The church can be like a spiritual hospital, bringing comfort and healing to the elderly and the sick.
„The Church, through its ministers, has cared for the elderly since the apostolic era, viewing them not as a burden but as a true source of blessing. Unfortunately, today there are many elderly people who live in great loneliness, isolated from the community, feeling useless to it. For this reason, the priest is called to devise new and contemporary pastoral approaches, attuning himself more closely to the needs of the elderly. Thus, in pastoral care for the elderly, the priest is called to instill in them the idea that old age is a privilege, a time of spiritual growth and enrichment through prayer, since old age is not a burden but a gift from God: But what a wonderful gift God has given me right now! (The facts 30, 20). At the same time, another priority for the Church in its current pastoral care of the elderly is their active involvement in the Church’s mission. There are many elderly people who live out their old age with serenity and dignity, actively participating in the life of the Church and in helping others. Nevertheless, the spiritual father plays an important role in alleviating the suffering of the elderly by helping them find meaning in the suffering they experience in their lives.”
This was followed by a presentation by Fr. Alexandru Mazarache of the „Saints Constantine and Helen” Parish in Zamca, Suceava, titled „Hymnography as a Symbol.” Among other things, the study referred to The Akathist of the Annunciation, a masterpiece of symbolic Orthodox hymnography.
„The purpose of this brief analysis is to marvel at God’s work through His Saints, who composed not only this Akathist but all the other hymns, and through this wonder to open our hearts to God’s greatness and love.”. We should not have needed the help of the Holy Scriptures, but rather should have led lives so pure that the grace of the Spirit would have taken the place of the Scriptures in our souls. And just as the Holy Scriptures are written in ink, so too should our hearts have been written by the Holy Spirit, St. John Chrysostom wrote at the beginning of Homilies on Matthew. So too, our faithful, as they reflect on the Holy Scriptures, the hymns, and the writings of the Holy Fathers, and all this treasure, locked away and well guarded by our Church, may they not fall into a deep sleep, as happened to Eutyches, whom Saint Paul roused, even though all the lights were lit in the upper room.”
„For Those Who Sing and for Their Salvation” was the title of the presentation given by Fr. Marius Cotleț of the „Protection of the Mother of God” Parish in Burdujeni, Suceava. His Reverence highlighted The Church's Canons Concerning Singers, while also addressing issues related to the canonical and non-canonical forms of the hymns. The discussion highlighted the special role of psaltic music in the Church and in the authentic experience of prayer, as well as the need for thorough training of the singers and the importance of recognizing their contributions.
„It took four centuries for Scripture to be distinguished as canonical writing in contrast to the apocrypha. As for church music, it was deemed appropriate during the period of reforms and standardization that at least the following three books: The Liturgy Book, The Coach and Vespers to stay. The risk is that this at least that much to become That's all or not even that much. Even though we hold psaltic music in the highest regard, it, too, is not sung by perfect people. The writings of the Holy Fathers are indeed inspired, but anyone who conducts the service of the Lord carelessly may bring judgment upon himself. (…) We need to distinguish, through this knowledge, between valuable hymns that possess the Spirit and hymns improvised for the sake of art, composed by those who are beginners in the ways of the Spirit. Whoever is concerned with psaltic music and discovers its depth will never return to inferior forms, just as a painter who understands the depth of an authentic icon will not return to the naturalistic style of expression, which is inferior from a spiritual standpoint.”
As was the case at the priests’ conferences of the Deaneries of Câmpulung Moldovenesc and Rădăuți, during the second part of the meeting, proposals, suggestions, and requests from the relevant departments within the Suceava Diocesan Center regarding parish activities were presented.
At the same time, during the meeting, the following were presented in the context of Year Cultural Dimitrie Cantemir and Ciprian Porumbescu, several volumes published by Crimca of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților.
One of the most outstanding publications is the book Dimitrie Cantemir - Moldavian Lord and „Prince of Romanian Science”, authored by Archdeacon Vasile Demciuc, Ph.D., Associate Professor (coordinator), and Rev. Vasile Nechita, Ph.D., Professor.
Last but not least, other books—the result of the hard work carried out over the past few months by the Publishing and Printing Department of the Suceava Diocesan Center—were also presented and distributed to all the clergy, including „The Village and the Church During the Reign of Alexandru Ioan Cuza,” a work by Fr. Laurențiu-Nicolae Stamatin; „The Neamț School of Psaltic Music at the End of the 18th Century,” authored by Archdeacon Ilie Leonte, the volume „Apologists of Christian Life: Hymnographers, Church Singers, and Elders in the Service of the Church,” edited by Fr. Constantin Oprea, and the journal „Candela.”.
His Eminence the Most Reverend Father Damaschin Dorneanul presented the volume „Light from the candle of the Word - sermons on Sundays throughout the year”, a book that includes words signed by clergy doctors of theology from the diocese and delivered at the Archbishop's Cathedral in Suceava, since the arrival of His All-Holiness Father Calinic as Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuților.
At the conclusion, following the speeches, Archpriest Ionel Doru Budeanu expressed his gratitude to His Eminence Archbishop Calinic, His Grace Bishop Damaschin Dorneanul, the members of the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Council, the hosts, and all the clergy present at this special event for the Suceava I Deanery. His Holiness presented each of the two hierarchs with a Liturgy Book collectible.
