On 19 November 2014, the working session of the autumn semestral pastoral missionary Conference of the priests of Bucharest and Ilfov on the theme “2014 – Solemn Year of the Brancovean Saints Martyrs” was held at the Parliament Palace, in “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” room of the International Conference Centre.
The conference was chaired by His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church. Besides His Beatitude, His Grace Ieronim Sinaitul, Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch and His Grace Timotei Prahoveanul, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest were also present.
Over 700 clergy from the Archdiocese of Bucharest representing the Deaneries districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Bucharest, Northern Ilfov and Southern Ilfov attended the conference. The abbots, abbesses, charitable and military priests of Bucharest and Ilfov county attended.
To start with the event, the Patriarch of Romania addressed those present a speech entitled “The Light of the Sacrificial Light Throughout the Centuries”. 2014 – Commemorative Year of the Brancoveanu Saints Martyrs”.
Then, five lectures were delivered within the Commemorative Year of the Brancovean Saints Martyrs:
-Rev Prof Dr Simion Mihai-Simion Sasaujan, Saint Prince Martyr Constantine Brancoveanu, organisation of the Romanian education at academic level and the development of the Romanian culture at European level;
-Rev Prof Dr Ioan Moldoveanu, Saint Martyr Prince Constantine Brancoveanu: supporter of the Greek Speaking Orthodoxy;
-Rev Silviu State (Varesse parish, deanery of Milan, Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, former parish priest of the Romanian parish of Istanbul called Saint Martyr Paraschivi, founded by Saint Prince Constantine Brancoveanu), the “Last Way of the Brancoveans; places, memories, evocations”;
-Rev Lecturer Dr Petre Sperlea, “Canonisation of the Brancovean Saints, historical moment with deep ecclesiastic and national echoes”;
-Rev Prof Dr Florin Serbanescu, patriarchal counsellor: “Cultural and artistic legacy of the Brancovean epoch: Brancovean style in the past and today”.
Then, a documentary film on the stage of the construction of the Cathedral for the Nation’s Salvation made by Trinitas TV was presented.
The conference works were preceded by the Divine Liturgy and the Te Deum service celebrated by His Grace Timotei Prahoveanul, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, assisted by a group of priests and deacons, at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Spiridon the New of Bucharest.
Thursday, 20 November 2014, 10.00 hours, the clergy of the deaneries of Ploiesti, Campina, Urlati and Valenii de Munte, local exarchs, abbots, abbesses, and priests of charity of Prahova county will meet in a conference in Europa Room of the Administrative Palace of Prahova County Council.
