Today, 4 February 2015, His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of Romania and the members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church blessed and inaugurated the new spaces of activity of “Patriarch Justinian” Faculty of Orthodox Theology of Bucharest. The event is part of the anniversary manifestations dedicated to the celebration on 4 February 2015, of 90 years since the raising of our Church to the rank of Patriarchate.
The Patriarch of Romania delivered a speech in which he appreciated the fact that the new spaces, as well as the consolidation and restoration works of the building of the Orthodox Faculty are part of the educational process: “The way an educational institution operates is an educational process itself, not only the courses taught. This fact was emphasised especially at “Saint Vladimir” Institute near New York, where in one month time every student had to work one day at the kitchen, one day in the library and at the chapel, as well as one day in the park.
This thing showed that the formation was both theoretic and practic, especially since they would become Orthodox missionary priests in a country in which the Orthodox were in minority. Thus, the structure of an educational settlement matters a lot, just like the spaces. If we get the students used to beautiful bright spaces we must also get them used to keeping them clean. When they go and become responsible for various institutions they remember what was beautiful in the school they studied at”.
The extension of the space of study was possible through the contribution of the Ministry for Education and of the University of Bucharest. After the blessing service of the new spaces, all those who contributed to and sustained this work were awarded by the Patriarch of Romania. His Beatitude awarded the Order of “Saints Emperors Constantine and Helen for laics” to: Mr Sorin Campeanu – Minister for National Education, Univ Prof Dr Remus Pricopie – rector of the National School for Political and Administrative Studies, Mr. Mihnea Costoiu – rector of the Polytechnic University of Bucharest; Univ. Prof. Dr. Mircea Dumitru, rector of the University of Bucharest; Cross of Maria Brancoveanu to Univ Prof Dr Maria Voinea, deputy rector of the University of Bucharest; Order of Saint Steven the Great for laics to Mr Adrian Albu, general administrative director of the University of Bucharest; Mr Florin Miulescu, director for Educational Spaces, University of Bucharest; Diploma of honour of Saint Andrew the Apostle for clergy to Univ Prof Dr Rev Stefan Buchiu, dean of the Faculty of Theology of Bucharest; Rev Lecturer Dr Aurel Mihai, vicar of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, and Rev. Dr. Viorel Barbu, director of “Patriarch Justin” Cultural – Social Centre.
An anniversary plaque was unveiled to mark the moment. The facade of the faculty building is to be renovated in the future.
Wednesday evening too, the Patriarch of Romania inaugurated a new branch of the Central University Library at the Faculty of Orthodox Faculty of Bucharest. Seated in the Patriarchs’ Room, the new branch facilitates the virtual access of the students and of the teaching staff to the books of the Library – according to Trinias Television channel.
“We understand that this library is very useful especially because no travel to the Central University Library is needed, as every material is available on computer and the access is much easier (…). It represents a need, opportunity and a sign of cooperation, and co-responsibility for improving the intellectual and informative activity of the teaching staff and of the students too”, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said.
The leadership of the Central University Library was awarded the Order of the “Cross of Maria Brancoveanu” on behalf of the Patriarch of Romania. The institution has also received a new edition of the Holy Scripture, as well as several books of the collections published by the Romanian Patriarchate.
Representatives of the Ministry for Education, of the University of Bucharest, former students of the high educational institution, patriarchal and eparchial counsellors, rev professors and theological students attended the event.
