His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel chaired the Monastic Assembly of the Archdiocese of Bucharest at the Patriarchate’s Palace on Thursday, October 10, 2019.
In his opening remarks, the Patriarch explained the five dimensions of this year’s Assembly including liturgical, cultural, missionary, practical and hospitable aspects.
The liturgical dimension refers to the participation of monastics in the Divine Liturgy, showing ‘a unity of faith and a spiritual communion on the Orthodox faith,’ His Beatitude explained.
The Assembly’s cultural dimension was linked to the presentation of a report on the commemorative year of Patriarchs Nicodim Munteanu and Justin Moisescu.
The Patriarch went on saying that the missionary aspect of the Monastic Assembly highlighted the liturgical, administrative, social and cultural activities carried out by monasteries and hermitages.
The practical dimension meant consultation and cooperation among abbots and abbesses to find solutions to different problems faced by monasteries today.
During the Assembly, Hieromonk Antipa Burghelea made a presentation on the life and works of Patriarchs Nicodim Munteanu and Justin Moisescu. The presentation also included details regarding the translators of church books in Romania.
‘We commemorate important personalities of the Romanian theological culture, who through their feats have contributed to the enlightenment of the faithful through culture and to the awakening of national consciousness.’
‘These contributions have maintained the unity of faith and nation, enriching the cultural heritage of our country,’ Fr. Antipa said.
Archimandrite Nectarie Șofelea. Photo: Basilica.ro/ Mircea Florescu
Finally, the Very Rev. Archimandrite Nectarie Sofelea, administrative exarch of the monasteries of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, briefed the activities carried out by the monastic settlements in 2019 with a highlight on cultural activities.
Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro/ Mircea Florescu
