{"id":573862,"date":"2026-05-29T12:16:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T09:16:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=573862"},"modified":"2026-05-29T12:16:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T09:16:08","slug":"benedictine-theologians-romanian-patriarchate-st-dumitru-staniloae","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/benedictine-theologians-romanian-patriarchate-st-dumitru-staniloae\/","title":{"rendered":"Benedictine theologians visit Romanian Patriarchate: St Dumitru St\u0103niloae among pilgrimage readings"},"content":{"rendered":"

A group of students and professors from Pontifical Athenaeum of Sant\u2019Anselmo<\/a> was received on Thursday by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploie\u0219ti at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Benedictine theologians said that, during their pilgrimage in Romania, they plan to study the works of Saint Dumitru St\u0103niloae, one of the most influential Orthodox theologians of the twentieth century.<\/p>\n

Accompanied by Fr Gheorghe Militaru, diocesan vicar of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, the group visited the Patriarchal Palace, where Bishop Varlaam highlighted key moments in the history of the Romanian Orthodox Church, noting that \u201cwe are the only Orthodox Church of Latin language and culture.\u201d<\/p>\n

The hierarch also highlighted milestones in the relationship between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, recalling the visits of Popes John Paul II and Francis to Bucharest.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know and deeply appreciate the Benedictine Order\u2019s interest in Eastern liturgical life, and we are familiar with its translations and extensive liturgical scholarship,\u201d Bishop Varlaam said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Following the footsteps of Romanian saints<\/h2>\n

Fr Gheorghe Militaru explained the spiritual motivation behind the visit, saying that the Benedictine theologians had come to Romania for \u201ca seven-day pilgrimage following the footsteps of Romanian saints.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will visit monasteries in southern Romania, then travel to Pite\u0219ti, T\u00e2rgovi\u0219te, Sibiu, S\u00e2mb\u0103ta de Sus, Sinaia and Ghighiu, after which our pilgrimage will conclude and we will return to Rome,\u201d he said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Pontifical Athenaeum of Sant\u2019Anselmo is a pontifical university specialising in liturgical studies and monastic spirituality. Founded in 1887 by Pope Leo XIII, the institution is located at the Monastery of Sant\u2019Anselmo all\u2019Aventino in Rome and is administered by Benedictine monks.<\/p>\n