With the blessing of His Eminence Calinic, from October 31 to November 10, 2022, pastoral-missionary priestly conferences are being held in the five proto-protopochies of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților. The theme of the clerical meetings was given by the specificity of the year 2022 in the Romanian Patriarchate: „The Homage Year of Prayer in the Life of the Church and the Christian” and „The Commemorative Year of the Isishatic Saints Simeon the New Theologian, Gregory Palamas and Paisios of Neamt”.
The series of events began today, October 31, with a meeting attended by priests from the Deanery of Câmpulung Moldovenesc, with lectures to be held in the following days in the other four dioceses of the diocese (Fălticeni, Suceava I, Suceava II and Rădăuți).
The day began with the celebration of the Holy and Divine Liturgy in the church of the „Nativity of the Mother of God” Parish in Câmpulung Moldovenesc by the priests of the diocese, under the patronage of His Most Eminent Father Archbishop Calinic, together with His Eminence Archbishop Damaschin Dorneanul, Bishop-Vicar, Arch. Paraschiv Dabija, administrative vicar, and Fr. Aurel Goraș, provost.
At the end of the Mass, the hierarch ordained 12 priests with a rich liturgical activity over the last 20 years as Stavrophor Icon.
During the event, Fr. Constantin Oprea, advisor of the Cultural Sector, read out the distinctions awarded to clerics with an outstanding pastoral-missionary activity. Order „Bukovina Cross”, the highest distinction of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților, was awarded by His Most Reverend Father Archbishop Calinic Archbishop Petru Crăciun, from the Parish „Adormirea Maicii Domnului”, and Father Teodor Giosan, from the Parish „Nașterea Mașterea Maicii Domnului” in Câmpulung Moldovenesc, „for outstanding activity in the service of the Church and the Community”.
Order „St. Great Martyr John the New of Suceava”, presented by His Eminence the Most Reverend Father Damaschin the Dornean, was awarded to some worthy ministers of the holy altars in parishes where numerous pastoral-missionary activities were carried out, because they followed the example of „the young man, wise in the ways of God, who fulfilled his service with devotion and based his Orthodox faith on the understanding of the Gospel, courageously witnessing it to his fellow men by word and deed”. The same award was also given to the winners of the Eparchial Competition „The Most Tidy Cemetery”. Fr. Dimitrie Horga presented the rankings, and His Eminence Calinic presented the prizes as follows: First Prize - Parish „Elevțarea Domnului” Sâhla - Câmpulung Moldovenesc - Parish Priest Ion Nemțan - Nisioiu; Second Prize: „Sfântul Gheorghe” Parish Sadova - Fr. parish priest Irineu - lustinian Horga; Orthodox Parish Bucșoaia - Fr. parish priest Bogdan - Andrei Goraș; Third Prize: Pojorâta Parish - Parish Priest George - Eugen Fediuc; Pojorâta II Parish - Parish Priest Dumitru - Ioan Beșliu.
Along with those who took part in the Holy Mass, representatives of the relevant sectors of the Suceava Eparchial Center joined the conference chaired by His Eminence Archbishop Calinic.
After the recitation of the prayer followed the roll call and the word of welcome by His Eminence Archbishop Calinic. The conference began with the presentation of the paper entitled „Prayer - means of acquiring the Holy Spirit. Practical methods for intensifying prayer”, presented by Fr. Cristian Gabriel Butnaru from Benea Parish. The study brought to the attention of those present some of the most important aspects of prayer and their application in our days, in order to enrich the spiritual life.
„Communion with God is sown in the soul of every man from the beginning, as a way of knowing God, of doing His will and fulfilling His commandments. But in order that these commandments may be fulfilled and bear fruit as richly as possible in the world, man needs God's help, which can only be obtained through prayer and good works. (...) The totality of the virtues must serve the perfection of prayer. And, above all, the greatest of the virtues, which is love of God, in which the mystical union, the fruit of prayer, is fulfilled. Love is the fruit of prayer, says St. Isaac Sir says, for in prayer man encounters God in a personal way, knowing and loving him. (...) A praying heart is inestimably precious, a praying heart that is bound to God in prayer with hope for ever, that does not yield to Satanic temptation, that has Christ as its guide, light and guide of its life. Christ is the guarantee of our hope in eternal life, in the resurrection and in heavenly reward. In prayer, man reveals the mask of all appearances in himself. (...) Prayer is a sacrifice well received before God; it strengthens our faith, enlightens our minds, warms our hearts with Christian love, and descends into our troubled and restless souls consolation, peace, and comfort of soul.”
The meeting continued with a paper by Fr. Iulian Borgovan from Dorna Arini Parish, on „The Isishatic Saints - models of personal prayer for Christians”. The talk highlighted some aspects of the work of three devout fathers of Orthodoxy, St. Simeon the New Theologian, St. Gregory Palamas and St. Pais Pais Paisios Velicicovschi, models of holiness and unceasing prayer.
„The whole work of St. Gregory Palamas is centered on the unceasing prayer of the mind in the heart because his whole life was one unceasing prayer. According to St. Gregory, prayer is the fountain of eternal life, of the knowledge of God, which increases in man as he is freed from his sins through the work of the Holy Spirit. The Palamite doctrine advocates the knowledge of God, the experience of eternal life through direct communion with him in the Church. It is an experience potentially given to all Christians through the Sacrament of Baptism and through participation in the life of Christ through communion at Holy Mass. But the act of Eucharistic communion with Christ must be prolonged and actualized in man through unceasing prayer. (...) St. Paisios of Neamț remains in history as a continuator of the great Fathers of the Church and at the same time the innovator of the ascetic and Isishatic tradition, especially in the Church of the Slavic, Greek and Romanian Church. He was a providential saint, who brought together all the elements contemporary to him and all the possibilities that could be used by a balanced and graced confessor, realizing a a synthesis between the movilean tradition of his native Ukraine, between the Russian tradition, from Nil Sorski to Basil of Poiana Mărului, between the Romanian tradition and between the great Athonite tradition. If we study the life and work of the three great choirs of unceasing prayer, the one that brings us the isisha, we will find ways to delenticize ourselves, ways to pray, and through prayer and delentimition we will come to unite ourselves with God through contemplation, both we, priests and believers.”
This was followed by the screening of the film „Prayer, the way to perfection”, a material that synthesizes the edifying words of the great spiritual masters of the last decades, both from our country and from Greece, living in Mount Athos. The film, a TRINITAS TV production, presented excerpts from the words of those who have dedicated their lives to Christ, including Archimandrites Cleopas Elias, Arsenios Papacioc, Theophilus Pârâian, Sophian Bogiu, Hieromonk Dionysius Ignat, Hieromonk Joseph Vatopedin, among others. The testimonies emphasized the importance of living the presence of Christ, the connection between the guard of the mind and the The Jesus Prayer, types of prayer, acquiring Prayer heart and preparing the soul and body for it.
In the second part of the meeting were presented proposals, suggestions and requests of the relevant sectors of the Eparchial Center Suceava regarding the work of parishes.
Sector Administrative-Church, Dimitrie Horga, diocesan counselor, transmitted, among other things, issues concerning the observance of procedures for hiring non-clerical staff in the houses of worship, as well as the timely submission of documents aimed at resolving administrative issues.
Arch. Ionuț Isopescu, counselor at the Sector Educational-Theological (Education), announced that he will ask for the support of parish priests to promote the new specializations at the Orthodox Theological High School Seminary „Mitropolit Dosoftei” Suceava, as well as the specialization of Pastoral Theology. Along with other aspects related to the activities carried out by the relevant sector, it was also emphasized that, as regards Religion, It is recommended to develop a friendly and warm collaboration with the religion teacher(s) in the parish, regarding the activities initiated by the County School Inspectorate, in partnership with the Suceava Eparchial Center. Administrative issues related to the courses for obtaining professional clerical degrees were also brought to attention.
On behalf of the Sector Cultural, Constantin Oprea, the publication of studies or scientific articles by clerics who have defended doctoral dissertations was encouraged, as well as their co-option to collaborate in the editing of the magazine Candle. The possibility of bringing to light the old writings and their publication was also mentioned, taking into account the collaboration protocol signed between the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților and the Romanian Academy Library.
Sector Monuments, Heritage and Church Architecture, led by Archbishop Vasile Demciuc, reiterated the importance of respecting the legislation on the protection of cultural heritage. At the same time, priests were asked to pay special attention to the monuments inscribed on the national heritage list. Last but not least, the importance of inventorying the assets of places of worship was also discussed.
Next, the representative of the Pastoral Mission and Christian Actuality, Filaret Ruscan, a councilor, brought a thought of appreciation and gratitude for the loving welcome, in the diocese, of the delegation that accompanied the relics of St. John the New from Suceava during the procession through the diocese. The importance of intensifying pastoral and missionary work in the current context was also emphasized, encouraging the preparation of the priest's sermon, as well as the care of the church, home and cemetery.
Pr. Dan Gheorghiță, counselor of Internal Prevention and Protection Service, emphasized the importance of conducting religious activities safely. His Holiness also announced that in the near future there will be training sessions on protection and safety at work for the leaders of the religious establishments.
Sector Economic-Financial, Viorel Ilișoi, diocesan counselor, sent to the heads of the houses of worship information on the bookkeeping, as well as the procedures for its verification by the relevant inspectors. At the same time, it was suggested to identify, in the parishes of the diocese, the cases in which the winter period makes it difficult to pay the bills for various utilities.
Pr. Adrian Popa, counselor in the Sector Church-Church News, spoke about the sale of religious objects at the pangare according to the decisions Statute for the Organization and Functioning of the Romanian Orthodox Church. It has also been emphasized that the purchase of the colportage products provides support and backing for the entire missionary activity of the Church.
The Councillor Media and Communication Sector, Ștefan Mihalcea, Fr. Ștefan Mihalcea, recommended increased attention to the content of materials posted on the social networks of the houses of worship, as well as the need to obtain the archiepiscopal blessing in case of media appearances, on their own initiative or at the invitation of a press trust.
On behalf of the Sector Publishing and Printing, Ciprian Blaga, the opening of the Crimca Publishing House of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților to the publication of various materials signed by the clergy of the Diocese of Câmpulung Moldovenesc was mentioned.
Pr. Ion Bârsan, Counselor of the Sector Legal and Consulting, provided information on the property rights over parish real estate and on the land registration procedure. At the same time, His Holiness recommended the cooperation with the representatives of the Eparchial Center for a good development of the sector's activity and for a quick resolution of legal issues.
The spokesman of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuților, Fr. Alexandru Flavian Sava, recommended decency and responsibility in the posts on the personal pages of social media platforms, including positions on certain current issues. These should be expressed in accordance with the decisions taken by the Permanence Council or assumed by the Patriarch, in order not to mislead the faithful and public opinion with various points of view.
Fr. Laurențiu Stamatin, the diocesan church inspector, recommended to pay more attention to the correctness of the church services and urged the parish clergy to put in order the objects of worship in the places of prayer.
Sector Catechization, Youth and Education for Life, coordinated by Prof. Cristi Gabriel Hurjui, presented the most important projects carried out in the 11 months of activity and invited the parishes to join the future projects of the diocese, aimed at young people willing to get involved in volunteer activities, organizing Bible study circles and catechetical sessions, camps and other social-charitable actions, carried out within the future projects of the diocese.
At the end, Pr. Aurel Goraș thanked His Eminence Archbishop Calinic, His Eminence Archbishop Damaschin Dorneanul, members of the permanent Eparchial Council, the hosts, the choir and all the servants present at this special event for the Diocese of Câmpulung Moldovenesc.
Each participant received as a gift two of the most recent volumes published by Crimca Publishing House of the Archdiocese of Suceva and Rădăuților, „Prayer - the foundation of life and spiritual growth of man”, a work that brings together the lectures of the clergy of the diocese dedicated to this anniversary year, and the book „Happiness in unhappiness. A commentary for the man in a hurry” signed by His Eminence Archbishop Calinic.
Irina Ursachi
Photo album: HERE
