Abstract: From 31st October to 1st November 2022, the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca organized the International Symposium of Theology, History, Musicology and Art, with the general theme “Prayer – the heart of the Church”. For two days, hierarchs, dozens of professors, theologians and people of culture from the country and abroad debated various themes and topical issues that fall within the theme of the year 2022, declared by the Holy Synod of Romanian Orthodox Church as the “Year of prayer in the life of the Church and of the Christian” and “Commemorative Year of the hesychastic saints Simeon the New Theologian, Gregory Palamas and Paisie of Neamț”.
În perioada 31 octombrie-1 noiembrie 2022, Facultatea de Teologie Ortodoxă a Universității Babeș-Bolyai din Cluj-Napoca a organizat Simpozionul internațional de Teologie, Istorie, Muzicologie și Artă, cu tema generală „Rugăciunea – inima Bisericii”. Timp de două zile, ierarhi, zeci de profesori, teologi și oameni de cultură din țară și străinătate au dezbătut diferite teme și probleme de actualitate care se încadrează în tematica anului 2022, declarat de Sfântul Sinod al Bisericii Ortodoxe Române ca „An omagial al rugăciunii în viața Bisericii și a creștinului” și „An comemorativ al Sfinților isihaști Simeon Noul Teolog, Grigorie Palama și Paisie de la Neamț”.
Cuvinte-cheie: simpozion internațional, Teologie, Istorie, Muzicologie, Artă, rugăciunea –
inima Bisericii
Summary: The event started on October 31st, 2022, in the chapel of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, in the University campus “Nicolae Ivan”, where His Eminence Benedict Bistrițeanul, Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Vad, Archbishop of Vad, Feleac and Cluj, officiated a Te Deum service, in the presence of His Eminence Andrei, Archbishop of Vad, Feleac and Cluj and Metropolitan of Cluj, Maramureș and Sălaj, and of other participants and distinguished guests. Then, in the faculty hall, the official opening of the symposium took place, in the presence and with the physical and online participation of three hierarchs, numerous professors, theologians and people of culture from the country and abroad, students and teachers from the theological faculty of Cluj. On this occasion, as host, Archim. Professor dr. Teofil Tia, dean of the theological educational institution, welcomed the participants and presented the general theme of the scientific meeting: “Prayer – the heart of the Church”. In the opening part, His Eminence, Most Reverend Andrei, Metropolitan of Cluj, Maramureș and Sălaj, gave a blessing and a lecture entitled “Our Blessed Fathers – Icons of Humility”, in which he evoked the faces of several spiritual fathers, hierarchs, hieromonks or priests, who contributed to his spiritual formation. By Zoom platform, His Eminence Petroniu, Bishop of Sălaj, spoke on the theme “Prayer of the Holy Fathers”. His Eminence Benedict Bistrițeanul, Assistant Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cluj, gave a lecture on “Lesson of practical hesychasm – St. Mark the Ascetic in the writings of Dadișo Qatraya”. Also delivering speeches were Prof. René Roux – rector of the Faculty of Theology in Lugano, Switzerland, Prof. Adrian Lemeni – honorary patriarchal councillor and director of Doctoral School of “Justinian Patriarch” Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest, as well as Prof. Vasile Stanciu, director of the “Isidor Todoran” Doctoral School of Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Cluj-Napoca. The scientific event ended on 1st November, when the general conclusions were presented and being taken the decision that the symposium papers will be published in a volume. The chamber choir “Psalmodia Transylvanica”, conducted by Prof. Vasile Stanciu, gave a concert. During the symposium, an exhibition of works by professors and students of the “Sacred Art” department of the Cluj faculty was opened in the halls of the faculty.
Darius Echim – corespondent Trinitas Tv din partea Mitropoliei Clujului, Maramureșului
și Sălajului; e-mail: darius.echim@yahoo.com
