On Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in the courtyard of the Monastery of St. John the New of Suceava, with the blessing of His All-Holiness the Most Reverend Father Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuților, a special event took place in the courtyard of the Monastery of St. John the New of Suceava, namely a „different” Religion class, held right next to the canopy of St. John the New. The beneficiaries were ninth-grade students from the „Mihai Eminescu” National High School in Suceava, who marked this moment of celebration by wearing folk costumes.
The event was organized by the Educational - Theological Sector, through the Department of Pre-University Education, coordinated by Arch. Ionuț Isopescu, at the initiative of Mrs. Narcisa-Elena Tiperciuc, teacher of Orthodox Religion at „Mihai Eminescu” National High School, in partnership with the Suceava County School Inspectorate, in the presence of Mrs. Daniela-Luminița Ceredeev, inspector.
Professor Daniela-Luminița Ceredeev, Religion Inspector at the Suceava County School Inspectorate, appreciated this initiative, confessing the following: „The young high school students from the „Mihai Eminescu” National High School in Suceava have participated today in a session of experiential learning of our Orthodox spirituality. It was, we could say, a learning in the pulpit, and their teaching was facilitated on multiple coordinates: informational, spiritual, emotional, cultural and social. This is what we want from our young people. For them to find answers and models and landmarks and icons and people in the mysteries of the School and also in the light of the Church”.
Arch. Vasile Demciuc, Counselor of the Monuments, Heritage and Church Architecture Sector, present at the event, gave some historical background to the students about the Monastery of St. John the New and about the patron saint of the diocese, saying the following about this event: „This open lesson in the courtyard of the Monastery of St. John the New in Suceava was intended to convey to the students what the link between worship and culture, between Church and society means. It was an opportunity to understand even better the significance and importance of religious pilgrimage as an expression of the unity of the Romanian people as a nation and of their faith”.
Professor Narcisa-Elena Tiperciuc said the following about this event: „We all need a role model in life. For us, from Bucovina, St. John the New from Suceava is a true example of confession of faith and overwhelming love for God. Young people at the National College ”Mihai Eminescu”, Suceava, who are preparing for a career in education, feel the need for a patron saint like St. John the New of Suceava. By their desire to get to know him more closely, the students join the thousands of pilgrims who have been coming for hundreds of years to worship him and ask for blessings and help.".
In his address to the students, Arch. Ionuț Isopescu, director of Pre-University Education in the Educational - Theological Sector, spoke to the students about St. John the New, urging them to make him their friend, but also to give good witness when this is required, according to the parable of his life: „St. John was, dear students, an ordinary young man, I would even dare to say that he was like each of us. Up to the time of his suffering and his martyrdom, he did not stand out as a great confessor of the faith, he did not stand out at all. But when the time came to confess, he did so with dignity. He wasn't cowardly, he didn't shrink. He did it with great naturalness, with a sense of responsibility, even though he knew what the consequences would be... and they were not gentle! From St. John the New we learn, my dear friends, about courage and dignity in a world in which taking responsibility and indifference to values are „fashionable”. St. John did not renounce his faith, even at the cost of his life. This is my thought for you: never give up your dreams, your sound principles, the good teachings you received from your parents or your teachers. All of this will help you to bear good witness wherever you will be called, as did St. John the New. I earnestly urge you to befriend St. John the New. Visit him, tell him your joys and your sorrows. I confess to you with all my heart that it is a great joy to have St. John the New close to you”.
At the end, His Eminence the Most Reverend Father Damaschin Dorneanul offered the students and teachers, on behalf of His All-Honorable Father Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuților, a book entitled „The Life and the Akathist of St. John the New of Suceava”, as well as the leaflet „The Monastery of St. John the New of Suceava - St. George's Church”, both printed by the Archdiocese of Suceava's Crimca Publishing House.
We would like to express our thanks and gratitude to His Eminence Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuților, for having blessed this event and for the gifts offered to the students, to teacher Daniela-Luminița Ceredeev, school inspector for the subject of Religion at the Suceava County School Inspectorate, for her presence, involvement and collaboration, to teacher Narcisa-Elena Tiperciuc, for initiating this initiative, to Arch. Prof. Prof. Dr. Vasile Demciuc, diocesan counselor, as well as the participating students.
Arhid. Ionuț Isopescu
Director of the Pre-University Education Department
