From March 18 to 20, 2023, the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți, in partnership with Department for Romanians Abroad, in collaboration with the Straja Commune City Hall and the Straja Elementary School, organized a series of commemorative events designed to highlight the remarkable personality of one of those who contributed with wisdom and patriotic dedication to shaping the history of our people: Academician Dimitrie Onciul.
After memorial services for the great historian were held on Saturday and Sunday, March 18 and 19, 2023, at his grave in Chernivtsi and in Straja, respectively, his native village, yesterday, March 20, 2023—the very day marking the 100th anniversary of the historian’s passing— two other events took place that highlighted the boundless love for his country and his people demonstrated by the historian, academician, professor, and, last but not least, the man Dimitrie Onciul.
With the blessing of His Eminence Calinic, Archbishop of Suceava and Rădăuți, earlier in the day, the „Dimitrie Onciul Centennial 1923–2023” Symposium took place at „Ștefan cel Mare” University in Suceava” dedicated to commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of the great Bukovinian historian, president of the Romanian Academy (1920–1923).
The meeting, aimed primarily at the academic community in Suceava, was moderated by Archdeacon Vasile Demciuc, a lecturer at the Faculty of History and Geography at „Ștefan cel Mare” University in Suceava and diocesan advisor to the Sector Monuments, Heritage and Church Architecture.
Among the distinguished guests at the symposium were: Prof. Adrian Cioroianu, Ph.D., director of the National Library of Romania and professor at the University of Bucharest, Prof. Ion Solcanu, Ph.D., full member of the Section of Historical and Archaeological Sciences—Academy of Scientists, Iași branch; Prof. Ștefan Purici, Ph.D., vice-rector of „Ștefan cel Mare” University; Prof. Gheorghe Onișoru, Ph.D., from the Faculty of History and Geography at „Ștefan cel Mare” University, and Rev. Prof. Vasile Nechita, from „Ovidius” University in Constanța.
Mr. Cristian Anița, director of the National Archives of Romania, also attended the event, and Archdeacon Vasile Demciuc presented him with, Order „St. Great Martyr John the New of Suceava”, on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Calinic, as he followed the example set by „the young man made wise by God, who devotedly fulfilled his ministry andbased his Orthodox faith on an understanding of the Gospel, courageously bearing witness to it before his fellow men through both deed and word.”.
The events commemorating Academician Dimitrie Onciul continued that same afternoon at the Straja Middle School Library, an educational institution that has borne the great historian’s name since 1993.
The cultural and educational event brought together theologians, historians, teachers, students, and representatives of local public institutions.
After the welcome remarks by Fr. Dr. Constantin Oprea, advisor to the Sector Cultural At the Suceava Diocesan Center, historians shared important insights into the life and work of the Bukovinian figure being commemorated these days. A central focus of the presentations was a look back at the period when Dimitrie Onciul served as president of the Romanian Academy. At the same time, the role of Heraldic Advisory Commission, known as the „critical school of Romanian historiography,“ of which he was the founder and president beginning in 1922.
Professor Ion Solcanu, Ph.D., spoke to those present about one of his areas of interest related to research on the busts depicting Dimitrie Onciul, which serve as evidence and testaments to the tribute paid to the great historian. The first bust of the academician was created in 1926 by sculptor Mihai Onofrei, cast in bronze, and is now located on Regina Elisabeta Boulevard in Bucharest. Also mentioned was the disappearance and subsequent rediscovery of the bronze sculpture of Dimitrie Onciul in Chernivtsi, created by Corneliu Medrea and unveiled on October 26, 1928. Considered an iconic monument for the „Junimea” Student Society, the bust has witnessed a turbulent history but was preserved thanks to the Faculty of Theology in Chernivtsi.
Professor Adrian Cioroianu, Ph.D., emphasized that our society increasingly needs leaders inspiring such as Dimitrie Onciul. In addition, he highlighted key aspects of the life of the renowned historian born in Straja, particularly his student years spent in Chernivtsi and Vienna, during which Dimitrie Onciul served as president of the „Junimea” Student Society – in Chernivtsi and vice president of the „România Jună” Student Society – in Vienna. Last but not least, it was emphasized that Dimitrie Onciul was one of the few scholars who advocated for an objective, critical, and evidence-based approach to historical events.
This was followed by a speech by Father Vasile Nechita, in which he highlighted Dimitrie Onciul’s contribution to „the settlement”church history grounded in realistic arguments; his writings serve as a reference work for today’s researchers. The critical method he employed blended harmoniously with the fact that he grew up in a priestly family; his maternal grandfather was himself a minister of the Church of Christ.
Prof. Ștefan Purici, Ph.D., spoke about Dimitrie Onciul’s struggle for truth and justice in Chernivtsi. Among other things, it was noted that this great historian of Bukovina and Romania became a role model for his successors. At the same time, an interesting detail that came up in the discussion was the name he bore. In the birth register, it was spelled „Dimitre,” precisely to distinguish him from his father, the priest Dimitrie.
Professor Gheorghe Onișoru, Ph.D., emphasized that the great historian we are commemorating today is part of a generation of winners, alongside other prominent figures of the time, such as Nicolae Iorga, A.D. Xenopol, Vasile Pârvan, Ioan Bogdan, and others. In conclusion, he stated that the participation of all those present at this event serves as a tribute to this titanium, leader of the sentinels.
Associate Professor Ioan Augustin Guriță, Ph.D., from the Faculty of History at „Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University in Iași, presented a brief overview of the great historian’s life, shedding light on lesser-known details about the life, career, and work of Dimitrie Onciul. The presentation highlighted the academician’s deeply patriotic and religious character, as he was closely involved with the history of his native lands and the monastic settlements of Bukovina; a notable event was his delivery of the keynote address at The Celebration at Putna Monastery in 1904, marking the 400th anniversary of the passing of the Faithful Voivode Stephen the Great and Holy.
Dr. Mihai Mârza, Senior Advisor at the County Office of the National Archives in Iași, recalled the events of 1900, when Dimitrie Onciul was appointed director of the State Archives in Bucharest. He also highlighted the contribution that the great historian made to the organization, systematization, and, later, preservation of the archives, the fruits of which are still visible today.
Presentation by Prof. Dr. Daniel Hrenciuc, subject specialist inspector for the discipline History, from the Suceava County School Inspectorate, highlighted, among other things, Dimitrie Onciul’s teaching career in Chernivtsi in 1890 and, later, at the University of Bucharest starting in 1895, where he served as a history professor.
Other speakers included Prof. Cristinel Ionel Puha, deputy principal of the „Ion Nistor” Technological High School in Vicovu de Sus, and Archdeacon Vasile Demciuc, Ph.D., university lecturer.
A highlight of the event was the launch of the book *Straja de odinioară – imagini și povești* (The Guard of Yesteryear – Images and Stories), written by Dorin Pătrăucean and recently published by Crimca Publishing House of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți. Also this year, the Suceava-based publishing house released two other books dedicated to the commemorative event: „Dimitrie Onciul—Historian, Professor, Founder, Patriot” and a volume of „Sermons” written by the father of the great historian.
At the conclusion of the conference in the „Local Historical Figures” series, Father Constantin Oprea, a council member, presented awards of merit on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Calinic.
Order „Bukovina Cross”, the highest honor awarded by the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți, was presented to University Professor Ion Solcanu, Ph.D., and Associate Professor Ioan Augustin Guriță, Ph.D., „for their outstanding service to the Church and the community.”.
It was then presented The Jubilee Medal – inscribed in the two-thousand-year-old legacy of the Romanian people’s history and sacrifice to Dr. Mihai Mârza „as a token of deep gratitude for his significant contribution over the years to the preservation and promotion of the spiritual, cultural, educational, philanthropic, missionary, urban planning, cultural, and social values of the Church and the country.”.
The event concluded with a visit to House Museum – Straja and a special artistic performance by the children of the „Dimitrie Onciul” School, led by Prof. Maria Paraschiva Pătrăucean.
The series of commemorative events began on Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Chernivtsi, with a memorial service at the grave of historian Dimitrie Onciul, during which the recently restored tomb was consecrated. This was followed by a gathering at the Cultural Center in Straja, where the multifaceted personality of Academician Dimitrie Onciul was commemorated, and the significance of his works in strengthening a sense of love for the homeland and the nation was highlighted.
On Sunday, March 19, at the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Straja, Suceava County, the Holy and Divine Liturgy and the service were celebrated The Last Mass for the Onciul family by His Eminence Joseph, Metropolitan of Western and Southern Europe, and by His Grace Damaschin Dorneanul, Vicar Bishop of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți.
Dimitrie Onciul was born on October 26, 1856 in Straja, Suceava County, being the first son of priest Dimitrie and his wife Singlitichia. He was educated in Chernivtsi and Vienna, and was at one time president of the „Junimea” Student Society in Chernivtsi and vice-president of the „Young Romania” Student Society in Vienna.
After becoming professor of history at the University of Bucharest in 1895, Dimitrie Onciul was appointed Director of the State Archives in Bucharest in 1900.
He was President of the Romanian Academy from 1920 to 1923 and was elected as a member in 1906.
Through his works, Dimitrie Onciul demonstrated the formation of the Romanian people in an area on both sides of the Danube. His works include: Roesler's Theory. Studies on the Romanians' persistence in Thracian Dacia (1885); Radu Negru and the origin of the Principality of Wallachia (1892); Origins of the Romanian Principalities (1899); Historical tradition in the question of Romanian origins (1907); The idea of Latinity and national unity (1919).
He passed away on March 20, 1923, in Bucharest, but, according to his wishes, he was buried in Chernivtsi.
Irina Ursachi
