Author: Rev. Dr. Gabriel Ciofu

Title: The Icon of the Holy Trinity: History and Canonical Status in Medieval Ecclesiastical Art

ISBN: 978-606-734-300-7

Dimensions: 170×250

Number of pages: 606

Year of publication: 2026

Binding type: paperback

Price: 85 lei

This work—„The Icon of the Holy Trinity: History and Canonicity in Medieval Ecclesiastical Art”—is of great value due to its complexity, the subject matter it addresses, and the contribution it makes to research through the fieldwork conducted by its author. We note that the author has a firm grasp of iconographic and theological terminology, which he employs with great skill and expertise. He also draws on an extensive foreign bibliography compiled over several years, featuring numerous eloquent quotations and supplementary information provided in the footnotes. Most of the images of the Holy Trinity used in the work are photographs taken by the author himself in the churches mentioned in Romania and abroad; this informative detail is evidence of the personal effort invested in the preparation of this work. Thus, we appreciate the priest’s passion for researching this topic, his love for beauty in general and church painting in particular, as well as his thorough knowledge of dogmatic theology and church history.

The scholarly merit of this work and its examination of the depiction of the Holy Trinity in medieval Romanian church painting constitute an important scholarly endeavor in a society affected by syncretism, globalism, and secularization. The value of this doctoral dissertation is all the greater given that, in today’s society, the image has been stripped of its sacredness.

In conclusion, we can state with complete certainty that this publication by Father Gabriel Ciofu, Ph.D. in Theology, is a rigorous study of Romanian Orthodox iconography from the medieval period. The entire study yields concrete results in terms of understanding the canonical representation of the Holy Trinity in church painting. Furthermore, the work stands out as an innovative contribution through its case study The Image of the Holy Trinity, for theological research, as the originality of the topic is evident.

The scope of the work was very extensive, and the author demonstrated genuine expertise in understanding historical events, biblical theology, and dogmatic theology. The bibliography is extensive, the footnotes lend the work the scholarly rigor required at this academic level, and the presentation is concise and comprehensive. This deeply interdisciplinary research can serve as a benchmark for future scholarly endeavors, as well as a support for the Church’s pastoral mission by promoting the role of iconography in contemporary society, which has become desacralized and inclined toward the „ugly.”.

We enthusiastically welcome the publication of this work—which we hope will become a standard reference—in the academic and scholarly fields of art history, church history, dogmatic theology, and the pursuit of beauty and truth. Well done!

Rev. Prof. Dr. Habil. Constantin Claudiu Cotan

Articolul Icoana Sfintei Treimi. Istorie și canonicitate în Arta Bisericească medievală apare prima dată în Editura CRIMCA.

Author: His Eminence Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuți

Title: Festive Decalogues, the Sacraments, Liturgical Rites, and Miracle-Working Icons. Moral Guidelines for Attaining Holiness

ISBN: 978-606-734-306-9

Dimensions: 210×150

Number of pages: 224

Year of publication: 2026

Cover type: Hardcover

Price: 62 lei

The book „Festive Decalogues, the Holy Mysteries, Liturgical Rites, and Miraculous Icons: Moral Guidelines for Attaining Holiness”, signed by His Eminence Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuți, is the third volume in the Decalogues series, an original publishing project that has already carved out a special place for itself in Romanian theological literature. The work is published by Crimca Publishing House and continues a pastoral initiative begun several years ago: that of translating the great truths of the faith into short, memorable phrases that are easy to apply in everyday life.

The first thing that makes an impression, however, is the method itself. We are accustomed to theological treatises explaining, sermons elaborating, and historical studies demonstrating. His Eminence Calinic, however, chooses a different path: synthesis.

Each theme is distilled into ten guidelines. But this simplicity is only apparent. Father Ciprian Blaga, the spiritual advisor, in Word before The author of this volume makes it very clear that this is not a matter of simplifying theology, but rather of expressing its maturity. Only someone who has spent decades studying Scripture and the Holy Fathers, and engaged in pastoral ministry, can condense entire pages of reflection into a few sentences without losing the depth of the message. Behind each of the Ten Commandments lie years of reading, preaching, and dialogue with the faithful.

That is why these texts are neither aphorisms nor moral maxims. They are the fruit of long-standing pastoral experience.

The book is structured with remarkable logic. Each set of ten commandments follows the same structure:

* an iconographic depiction drawn from the heritage of Moldovan churches;

* the Decalogue itself;

* and a historical and liturgical study on the origin of the feast or sacrament, titled „Spiritual Landmarks.”.

This structure transforms each of the Ten Commandments into a complete catechesis, as the reader sees, understands, and is then called to live out what is taught. This is the pedagogical approach of the entire volume.

Another important strength of the book is the balance it strikes between historical information and spiritual guidance. His Eminence Calinic does not limit himself to moral exhortations. For each feast day, the book presents the historical origins of the celebration, the development of the devotion, patristic testimonies, and the liturgical context.

In this way, the reader learns not only what to do, but also why they are doing it.

The book can be seen as a catechism for contemporary readers. We live at a fast pace, amid a constant flow of information, where time for reflection is becoming increasingly scarce; and in such a world, the Church is called to find new ways of conveying the same revealed truth.

Here, I believe, lies the true originality of this book. It is a pedagogical approach similar to that of the Paterikon, which does not alter the message but changes its form to make it more accessible. The Desert Fathers did not write treatises for every question, but offered a brief word that stayed in the mind and took root throughout one’s life. That is how these decalogues work as well.

When we analyze the language used, we notice something important. The author avoids impersonal language. He does not say, „A Christian must…,” but rather, „Pray…,” „Give thanks…,” „Receive…,” „Live…,” „Honor…,” „Love….”.

The verb is almost always in the imperative mood, and every page becomes a call to action. The book demands a response from the reader and is not intended to be admired.

We cannot overlook the rich iconography of this volume. Each chapter is introduced by reproductions of frescoes from the Bucovinian heritage, which become an integral part of the Decalogue’s message. The book features iconographic depictions from the frescoes of the Dragomirna, Sucevița, Humor, Arbore, Moldovița, and Bălinești monasteries.

The reader discovers that image and word work together, following the model of the Orthodox tradition, in which the icon and the Gospel complement one another.

And now we come to one of the book’s greatest strengths: that of uniting the liturgical service with the life of every Christian. In this way, the feasts on the calendar take on new meaning in our daily lives and become a rhythm of life.

The Holy Sacraments are no longer just occasional events; they have become constant sources of transformation.

And icons are no longer merely objects of veneration; they have become models for living.

This is, in fact, the central idea of the entire book: faith must be lived, not merely known.

That is why „Decalogues for Feasts, Holy Sacraments, Liturgies, and Miracle-Working Icons” is A new Crimca publication, which I hope you will accept as an invitation to a way of life. A book that draws the reader out of cultural isolation and introduces him to a living community: the community of Scripture, the Holy Fathers, the Church, and the liturgical experience.

I think this work can be interpreted in several ways:

By theologians, as an admirable exercise in catechetical synthesis.

By priests, as a source of pastoral and homiletic inspiration.

By religion teachers, as catechetical material.

By the faithful, as a companion throughout the liturgical year.

And for young people, as an accessible first encounter with the beauty of the Orthodox faith.

Crimca Publishing house

Articolul Decaloguri la praznice, Taine, ierurgii și icoane făcătoare de minuni. Repere morale pentru dobândirea sfințeniei apare prima dată în Editura CRIMCA.

Archimandrite Dosoftei Dijmărescu, Father Gabriel Herea, Father Constantin-Ciprian Blaga (eds.)

Articolul Veșnicii din Țara Mușatinilor ctitorite în lemn, piatră și culoare / Eternities from the Musatinian Land wrought in wood, stone and colour apare prima dată în Editura CRIMCA.

Illustrations: Elena Ciolacu

Format: 240×270

Number of pages: 34

Year of publication: 2026

Cover type: hardback

„I never thought I’d be able to write my own story. I mean… I didn’t think I’d have the courage to put down on paper the experiences that shaped me and weave them into a story. It seemed too painful to relive it all.”.

That was until a kind priest challenged me to write a story about the life of Saint John the New of Suceava. I was at the end of an event organized by the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți, where I had just launched one of my books, when the priest approached me with this suggestion.

After a few moments of hesitation, I told him I couldn’t. That I simply couldn’t. The Saint’s life is so immense to me—a monument of faith, witness, courage, and martyrdom—that, personally, I cannot „do justice to” it in writing.

But I told the priest that I would ask another writer—a very good friend of the saints—to write it. However, she was unable to do so either, for similar reasons.

And although my father listened sympathetically to all my reasons, he insisted on this idea. And I think he was right to do so because, in the end, I managed to write the story.

I hope you enjoy it! It is profound, full of deep emotional depth, painful, perhaps too honest, but at the same time, it offers hope. I see it as a winding path, full of obstacles, at the end of which the Light appears, enveloping us, step by step, with its goodness, peace, security, and tranquility.

This story is about rebirth. And I’m thinking now of Mother Siluana’s words: „You first encounter Christ in hell,” in the midst of the storm and the turmoil of the soul. Indeed, that is where you can feel His presence and His help the most. It was the same with Magdalene… and with me.

That’s how I felt I should write it. Exactly as it will unfold before you, page by page. And if it seems like too much, please forgive me. That’s just how it came to me. The story. I thank God and the Saint for the courage.

I hope you find this helpful. That's all. And please remember me in your prayers, if you feel so inclined.

”Please ask Saint John the New to watch over us all and keep us in his prayers!"

Cătălina Gheorghian

Articolul Magdalena și toiagul poveștilor. O poveste de viață, la căpătâiul raclei Sfântului Ioan cel Nou de la Suceava apare prima dată în Editura CRIMCA.

Format: 135×210

Number of pages: 227

Year of publication: 2024

Cover type: hardback

„Father Justin Taban writes a moving book of Christian poetry, in which the world and its meanings are gathered in the heart of a monk, in the warm dialog between a Father and a son” - Adrian Alui Gheorghe

„Father Justin's poems are built like a house, a meeting place with the One Who blesses, with His hand, the thoughts and lives of people” - Alina Gherasim

Articolul Gânduri de la Tată la fiu – poeme – apare prima dată în Editura CRIMCA.

Format: 135×210

Number of pages: 168

Year of publication: 2026

Cover type: hardback

“ FJuly My,

I, your Father, am writing to you about all things

I make my son. I have never been far from you and

I haven't abandoned you.

Know that you are a happy idea of Mine. I

conceived in an instant of giving who I am. Team

I loved you according to the measure of the world's trouble, and I set you

in the middle of it.

Your suffering corner of the world is chosen by Me. Like

people to know My thoughts through your heart as a son.

Which is Mine, your Father's.

Articolul Scrisori de la Tata – împărtășiri cu Dumnezeu – apare prima dată în Editura CRIMCA.

Format: 135×210

Number of pages: 252

Year of publication: 2026

Cover type: hardback

Articolul Iată, V-am spus vouă (Matei 28, 7) Preocupări de pedagogie pastorală comparată apare prima dată în Editura CRIMCA.

Format: 160 x 240

Number of pages: 1010

Year of publication: 2026

Cover type: brochure

ISBN: 978-606-734-298-7

Dr. Sorin-Toader Clipa, in his doctoral thesis

entitled The Church Fund of Bucovina (1783-1949), we

provides a wealth of historical, confessional, cultural and social information,

gathered from credible original sources, both national and

from international archives on the formation of the Church Fund,

its administration, its periods of glory and fall, as well as

and about his tragic destiny up to the present day.

Prof. Prof. Dr. Mihai Valică

Articolul Fondul Bisericesc din Bucovina (1783-1949) apare prima dată în Editura CRIMCA.

Articolul Dă-mi, fiule, inima ta apare prima dată în Editura CRIMCA.

Articolul Tratat asupra Tuturor dogmelor apare prima dată în Editura CRIMCA.