STUDIA DOCTORALIA 6/2023 COMUNICARILE CONFERINȚEI NAȚIONALE A DOCTORANZILOR ÎN TEOLOGIE ORTODOXĂ

This volume brings together the papers presented at the National Conference for Doctoral Students in Orthodox Theology, organized by the “Dumitru Stăniloae” Doctoral School of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest. The event took place at the “Holy Cross” Social-Pastoral Center of Caraiman Monastery, in Prahova County, from June 29 to July 2, 2023. The conference was attended by professors and doctoral students from various university-level theological institutions across the country, including those in Bucharest, Iași, Sibiu, Craiova, Cluj-Napoca, Arad, Alba Iulia, and Oradea.
The academic session was opened by His Grace Varlaam Ploieșteanul, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop, who highlighted that the topics addressed in this edition of the national conference are thought-provoking and respond to many challenges of contemporary society. Consequently, these contributions from young theologians prove highly valuable to the pastoral and missionary work of the Church.
The Director of the “Dumitru Stăniloae” Doctoral School at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest, Associate Professor Adrian Nicolae Lemeni, PhD, urged doctoral students to ensure that their research activity remains inseparable from their spiritual life, and to embrace the realities they study through a courageous confession of faith. “It is fundamental that scientific research in the field of Orthodox Theology focuses on the challenges of the world in which we live, addresses the needs of contemporary humanity, and offers concrete answers in the spirit of the Church’s tradition. Robust research must go beyond the mere formal fulfillment of standards or quality indicators; authentic research is an expression of self-sacrifice—a measure of our capacity to offer ourselves in what we do. From a theological perspective—while formal requirements must still be met—what remains essential is the spirit in which we engage in research, and how we manage to bear witness in the spirit of the Church, in the spirit of Christ. To this end, it is absolutely essential that theological research be intrinsically linked to the life of the Church,” stated Associate Professor Adrian Lemeni, PhD.
During the scientific presentation sessions, doctoral candidates shared the most significant findings from their research, while the subsequent Q&A sessions allowed for a deeper exploration and updating of the topics discussed. The discussions were moderated by professors from six university centers: Assoc. Prof. Adrian Lemeni, PhD (Bucharest), Rev. Prof. Nicușor Beldiman (Bucharest), Rev. Prof. Ioan Moldoveanu (Bucharest), Rev. Prof. Vasile Răducă (Bucharest), Rev. Prof. Ioan Chirilă (Cluj-Napoca), Prof. Paul Brusanowski (Sibiu), Rev. Prof. Picu Ocoleanu (Craiova), Rev. Prof. Florin Dobrei (Arad), and Rev. Prof. Miron Erdei (Oradea).
The National Conference for Doctoral Candidates in Orthodox Theology has been organized annually since 2018 by the “Dumitru Stăniloae” Doctoral School of the “Justinian the Patriarch” Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest, with the support of the Association of Orthodox Theology Students and the University of Bucharest.