13 March 1996 – hierarch VALERIAN ZAHARIA passed away in Bucharest.(baptized Vasile, born on 6 November 1905, in Muncel village, Străoane commune, county of Vrancea) Studies: Theological Seminary of “Saint Andrew” in Galati (1919 – 1927), Faculty of Theology of Bucharest (1927 – 1931), Pedagogical Seminary of the University of Bucharest (graduated in 1931). Secretary at the School for Religious Singers of Bucharest (1929 – 1930), protopsalt at the church of “Spirea Veche” of Bucharest and pedagogue at the Monastic Seminary of Cernica (1931 – 1932). Tonsured into monasticism with the name of Valerian and ordained hierodeacon (1932) and director (1933) of a School of singers in Bessarabia, hieromonk (1935), protosingelos (1936), archimandrite (2937), professor at “Veniamin” Seminary in Iași (1940 – 1941), Religion professor in Ploiesti and abbot of Ghighiu Monastery (1941 – 1944), exarch of the monasteries of the Archdiocese of Bucharest (1944), abbot of the Monastery of Câmpulung Muscel, then of Antim, of Bucharest. On 11 November 1951 he was elected Bishop of Oradea (ordained on 13 November, installed on 25 November 1951); the Holy Synod retires him on 12 December 1969. He unfolded a remarkable pastoral missionary and cultural activity; member of a few Romanian synodal delegations who visited other Churches. He published theologian and anti-sectarian works.
Works: Pastoral Guide (1953); Mystery of the People’s Salvation (1955); Chosen Flowers in the Garden of the Holy Scriptures. Bible Concordance (1955); Serving Orthodoxy (1965); brochures, articles of guidance in “Mitropolia Ardealului”, “Telegraful Roman”, “Indrumatorul bisericesc” from Sibiu , etc.
