With the blessing of His Most Reverend Father Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuților, under the guidance of the Pastoral Mission and Christian actuality sector of the Eparchial Center - Suceava, coordinated by His Eminence the Most Reverend Father Damaschin Dorneanul, in all the diocesan parishes, meetings of the pastoral circles were held in March, with the observance of all the sanitary measures.
PASTORAL CIRCLE NO. 1
On March 22.03.2021, at the Parish of the ”Assumption of the Mother of God„, in the city of Suceava, pastored by P.C. Father Mera Teodor Mera, of the Suceava I Deanery, with the blessing of His All-Holy Father Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuților, was held the meeting of priests from the Pastoral-Missionary Circle I, under the patronage of ”Saint Great Martyr Dimitrie - the Fountain of Myrrh", coordinated by Fr.
The work of the Pastoral Circle began with the celebration of the Mass of Our Lady of Pantanassa, followed by a lecture on the theme „The Fulfillment/Training of the Priest Today - Discussion of the chapter from the Holy Scripture, Second Epistle to Timothy of St. Paul, I, 2-12”, by P.C. Pr. Mera Teodor.
From the presentation we quote the following points: „Permanent formation, in addition to its constant and stable character, is part of a sacramental dynamic by virtue of which the priest, through his ordination, is called „to spread the extraordinary riches of grace” contained in this gift received from God: Holy Priesthood. (...) The priest is called to discover and develop in his life this gift of God, which is offered to him so that he may be able to realize God's will in the various stages of his formation in the priesthood.
Then followed discussions on the topic and proposals for good practice for the good functioning of the Church were made, from which we note:
- The priest who celebrates the Divine Liturgy fulfills his vocation, his own salvation and that of his faithful;
- The close link between cultural and spiritual formation;
- The priest's family, an open book before the faithful.
In closing, the missionary protopope Father Iustin Croitoru thanked the parish priest Father Mera Teodor for organizing the pastoral circle and the other priests and religion teachers for their participation.
PASTORAL CIRCLE NO. 2
On 09.03.2021, at the Parish „Holy Trinity” in the city of Suceava, pastored by Father Cornel Oprișan, from the Suceava I Deanery, with the blessing of His Eminence Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuților, took place the meeting of priests from the Pastoral-Missionary Circle II, placed under the patronage of „St. Apostle Andrew”, coordinated by Father Husarciuc Gheorghe.
The work of the Pastoral Circle began with the celebration of the Mass of Our Lady - The Joy of All the Afflicted, followed by the homily on the theme: „Christian philanthropy - an essential activity in the life of the Church”, by P.C. Pr. Clipa Mihai Alexandru.
The Holy Fathers see in love of neighbor, especially the poor of all kinds, a second altar: the mystery of the brother, where God's love is exercised. On this statement, St. John the Evangelist draws attention when he says: If anyone says, 'I love God, and hates his brother,' he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, and God whom he hath not seen, cannot love him. (I John 4, 20-21). And St. Gregory the Theologian points to this (love of neighbor): I find its greatest strength in love for the poor and in suffering in those who are of one mind with us (...) for by nothing else is God so perfectly served as by compassion for our neighbor, for nothing is more proper to God than this; before whom goes mercy and truth (On the love of the poor - St. Gregory the Theologian; Suceava and Rădăuților Archdiocese Publishing House; Suceava, 2006, p.12)”.
Then followed discussions on the topic and proposals for good practice for the good functioning of the Church were made, from which we note:
- Each Church is a potential social center, each priest is a potential philanthropist, so in this respect things are well structured, by the very form of organization, which took into account the word of the Savior, addressed to the Apostles, „the poor you have with you always” (John 12:8);
- Bringing back to life the social philanthropic institutions that the Orthodox Church had in the golden age, in the time of Emperor Constantine the Great;
- Establishment, in each parish, of working groups to assist the priest in identifying and solving social cases, in finding material support for the philanthropic mission in the parish;
In conclusion, the missionary protopope Father Iustin Croitoru thanked the parish priest Cornel Oprișan for organizing the pastoral circle and the other priests and religion teachers for their participation.
PASTORAL CIRCLE NO. 3
On March 29, 2021, at Fetești Parish in Adâncata Commune, pastored by P.C. Father Căuneac Constantin Ovidiu, of the Suceava I Deanery, with the blessing of His All-Holy Father Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuților, was held the meeting of priests from the Pastoral-Missionary Circle III, under the patronage of ”Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel", coordinated by Fr. Father Mitu Pascal.
The work of the Pastoral Circle began with the celebration of the Mass of the Annunciation, followed by a lecture on the theme: „The fulfillment/formation of the priest today” by P.C.Pr. Căuneac Constantin Ovidiu.
From the presentation we quote the following points: „The priesthood seeks, through the Holy Spirit, to make Christ alive in the hearts of the faithful. Spiritually caring for and guiding others is not easy; the priest must always be ready and ready to face the new challenges that society puts before him. The value of the priesthood lies in the fact that it helps the believer to move from being the image of God to being likened in God. The heaviest burden falls on the shoulders of priests.(...) In almost every church there is frequent preaching and words of instruction on every occasion, yet we seldom see anyone straightened up as a result of a sermon.”
Then followed discussions on the topic and proposals for good practice for the good functioning of the Church were made, from which we note:
- The need to familiarize the priest in consulting theological works in the field;
- Approaching an academic approach in dealing with topics for preaching and catechesis;
- Maintaining a close link with today's spiritual leaders.
In conclusion, the missionary protopope Father Iustin Croitoru thanked the parish priest Father Căuneac Constantin Ovidiu for organizing the pastoral circle and the other priests and religion teachers for their participation.
PASTORAL CIRCLE NO. 4
On March 23.03.2021, at the Parish of ”Dumbrăveni III”, Dumbrăveni, pastored by Father Nădejde Bogdan, from the Suceava I Deanery, with the blessing of His Most Reverend Father Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuților, took place the meeting of the priests from the Pastoral-Missionary Circle no. IV, placed under the patronage of "St. Seraphim of Sarov", coordinated by Father Chelba Constantin.
The work of the Pastoral Circle began with the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Mass followed by a lecture on the theme: „Religious and patriotic celebrations, between living and formalism” by P.C. Pr. Nădedejde Bogdan.
From the presentation we quote the following points: „It is not enough to maintain an outward form of godliness, but the great question is what is in the human heart. The heart is where God looks: „...I look not as man; for man looks on the face, but the Lord looks on the heart” (I Kings 16:7). This is what Paul distinctly sets forth as the standard measure of the soul, and ”circumcision is that of the heart” (Romans 2:29). The heart is the seat of true saving faith, "for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10). It is the faith of the heart that leads to righteousness. True Christians are holy because their hearts are devoted to Christ. They obey from the heart, they do the will of God from the heart".
Following the discussions, the plenary proposed the following issues for realization:
1. In order to avoid formalism, spiritual life is needed in the religious setting, and a dignified and uplifting approach is required on patriotic holidays;
2. Organizing meetings with the faithful to prepare religious and patriotic events;
3. Promoting Christian Orthodox and national values at all events in the life of the parish;
In conclusion, the missionary protopope Father Iustin Croitoru thanked the parish priest Father Nădejde Bogdan for organizing the pastoral circle and the other priests and religion teachers for their participation.
PASTORAL CIRCLE NO. 5
On March 30.03.2021, at Berești Parish in the commune of Hănțești, pastored by P.C. Fr. Marișca Constantin, from the Suceava I Deanery, with the blessing of His All-Holy Father Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuților, took place the meeting of the priests of the Pastoral-Missionary Circle V, under the patronage of ”St. Hierarch Nectarios Nectarios the Wonder-worker of Eghina", coordinated by Fr.
The work of the Pastoral Circle began with the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Mass, followed by the presentation of the homily on the theme: „Pastoral visits during the winter holidays - an opportunity to get to know the faithful”, by P.C. Pr. Marișca Constantin.
The presentation includes the following points: „Pastoral visits, where the priest meets the faithful of his parish, have been part of the tradition of Orthodox Christians in our country for centuries. On the occasion of these visits, a closeness is created, a spiritual bond between the priest and the faithful, because they are honored by the presence of the priest. Visitation of the faithful by the priest should be understood as a liturgical act, but also as a good way of getting to know the parishioners, with their joys and sorrows, and, where appropriate, of helping them. A short catechization (lesson, religious teaching) in the truths of faith and morals of our Christian religion is also given to each believer in the families visited.”
Following the discussions, the plenary proposed the following issues for realization:
1. The pastoral visit, a direct and effective way for the priest to get to know his parishioners;
2. Intensify visits to the homes of the faithful;
3. Applying the exhortation of St. Paul, „pray without ceasing”, the priest has a moral duty to educate his faithful, and through these visits he can materialize it in practice.
In closing, the missionary protopope Father Iustin Croitoru thanked the parish priest Marișca Constantin for organizing the pastoral circle and the other priests and religion teachers for their participation.
PASTORAL CIRCLE NO. 6
On 02.03.2021, at the Parish of Botoșana, shepherded by Father Spiridon Nistor, from the Suceava I Deanery, with the blessing of His Eminence Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuților, took place the meeting of priests from the Pastoral-Missionary Circle No. VI, placed under the patronage of „St. Stephen the Great”, coordinated by Father Davidoaia Iulian.
The work of the Pastoral Circle began with the celebration of the ”Saints Archangels„, followed by a lecture on ”Christian Philanthropy" by Fr. Spiridon Nistor.
From the presentation we quote the following: „In Orthodox Christianity, philanthropy is, above all, God's love for man: God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16) or no one has greater love than this to lay his soul for his friends (John 5:13) At the origin of the creation of the universe and of man is the supreme act of boundless love. For the whole world, but also for us Christians, the Savior Jesus Christ is the supreme Philanthropist. He sacrificed himself for the world out of love, suffering death and more death on the Cross (Phil. 2,80). The Savior Himself gave us examples of philanthropy through the healings and miracles He performed. By these we see that in philanthropy everything becomes a deed, an action that overcomes all human suffering (Iacobescu V. Ilie, article ”Christian philanthropy in the past and today" in Theological Studies, No 4, 1990, p. 106)”.
Following the discussions, the plenary proposed the following issues for realization:
1. Based on the principle of Church legislation, ”each parish priest must find the most appropriate methods to local situations, so that together with his parishioners to fulfill the work of the Samaritan of mercy"; ;
2. Implementation of social, charitable and cultural programs manifested in social canteens, medical cabinets, libraries, homes for the elderly, workshops of icons on glass, day care centers, health care centers; ;
3. To carry out actions at parish level that may include food aid programs where food and food distribution, medical clinics, educational centers, care and assistance centers for the elderly are involved; ;
In closing, the missionary protopope Father Iustin Croitoru thanked the parish priest Father Spiridon Nistor for organizing the pastoral circle and the other priests and religion teachers for their participation.
PASTORAL CIRCLE NO. 7
On 04.03.2021, at Stamate Parish, pastored by Father Leucă Mihai, from the Suceava I Deanery, with the blessing of His All-Holy Father Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuților, took place the meeting of priests from the Pastoral-Missionary Circle No. VII, under the patronage of ”Saint Cyprian", coordinated by Father Cobzaru Alin-Andrei.
The work of the Pastoral Circle began with the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Mass, followed by the presentation of the homily on the theme: „Significance and importance of the funeral mass and the parastas”, given by Fr. Leucă Mihai.
From the presentation, we quote the following: „The death of a Christian is a special event for the whole community to which he or she belonged, but especially for the family. At such times, the thought of God must overcome any grief which often turns into a feeling of despair and hopelessness. The Christian duty of others towards the dying person is that he or she should die confessed, in communion, reconciled with others and with a lighted candle at the bedside. (....) The symbolic elements of the funeral service are wine which is poured over the body of the sleeping (wine - the symbol of blood, i.e. of the life-sap that flows through the human body's marrow and gives life to it) and colivă (sign of our faith in resurrection and immortality)”
Following the discussions, the plenary proposed the following issues for realization:
1. Feasts are the remnants of the old agape or fellowship meals and therefore should not be given up;
2. Acquiring and practicing the virtues in the pastoral ministry (faith, good works, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, piety, humility, humility, patience, love);
3. The preparation of the soul and body of all Christians by observing the pravilea with responsibility and spiritual conscience;
4. Youth ministry and methods of bringing young people closer to the Church by involving them in different projects and activities in the parish.
In closing, the missionary protopope Father Iustin Croitoru thanked the parish priest Leucă Mihai for organizing the pastoral circle and the other priests and religion teachers for their participation.
Missionary Protopope Deacon Nicșan Valentin.
