Tuesday marks 20 years since the repose of Mother Benedicta — academician Zoe Dumitrescu-Bușulenga — who, during the communist period, urged her students to read the Bible and, after its fall, rose to become Vice-President of the Romanian Academy before choosing the path of monastic life.
She was born on 20 August 1920 in Bucharest to Nicolae Dumitrescu and Maria Apostol. Her father’s books introduced her to classical French and German literature, while her grandfather, a priest, taught her to live as a practising believer.
Prevented by tuberculosis from pursuing her passion for music, she went on to study Law and Letters at the University of Bucharest.
Mentored by Tudor Vianu and George Călinescu, she taught for 34 years, from 1948 to 1982, at the Department of World and Comparative Literature of the University of Bucharest, which she later headed.
She became a corresponding member of the Romanian Academy in 1974, a full member in 1990, and served as Vice-President of the institution from 1990 to 1994.
“I Never Betrayed My Students”
At a time when Mihai Eminescu was being reinterpreted through a socialist lens, Zoe Dumitrescu-Bușulenga succeeded in preserving the integrity of his work and thought, considering him a cornerstone for the intellectual formation of young people and for understanding Romanian national identity.
The Bible was included in the mandatory reading list for her students, whom she encouraged to regard it as “the greatest book of humanity.”
“I have never betrayed my students,” she once said.
In 2005, she was tonsured into monasticism, receiving the name Benedicta.
She reposed in the Lord on 5 May 2006 and, according to her final wishes, was buried at Putna Monastery.
Commemoration of Mother Benedicta
Two decades after her passing, the academician-turned-nun is being commemorated on Tuesday at 11:00 in the Aula of the Romanian Academy.
Readers may also access, online and free of charge, a number of studies and testimonies authored by Mother Benedicta.
Photo source: Fundatiamaicabenedicta.ro
