Yesterday, 30 January 2012, the Theological Educational Institutions celebrate their protectors, the Three Saint Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom.

On this occasion, the “Patriarch Justinian” Faculty of Orthodox Theology of Bucharest celebrates its protectors too. Many students, professors and faithful attended the Divine Liturgy celebrated at the Saint Spiridon the New church - patriarchal chapel by His Grace Ciprian Campineanul, Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch, assisted by a large group of priests and deacons.

After the Divine Liturgy, a remembrance service was celebrated for the passed away, the former professors and students of this educational institution.

To end with, His Grace Ciprian Campineanul delivered a sermon in which he urged the professors to take the Three Saint Hierarchs as examples in order to form the students to be good priests.

“Let us not forget that these three great teachers and hierarchs were firm defenders of the right faith in the 4th century in a time when the Church was faced with heresies. From this point of view, the three saints are paradigms for the hierarchs, professors, students and all faithful. This is why I dare address this urge to our professors from the Theological Faculty who must contribute to the enlightenment of our students’ minds with the knowledge of the works of the Holy Fathers. Neither must we ever neglect the meditative aspect of the prayer because they all were people of prayer, both theologians, teachers, and people who prayed continually. From this point of view we want all those who study at the Faculties of Theology to have good knowledge of the Orthodox Theology, and most of all to be good priests”, said His Grace, as Trinitias Radio station informs us.

Rev. Prof. Dr. Stefan Buchiu, dean of the Faculty of Theology took turns in explaining that the challenges of the contemporary society raise a series of difficulties which can be overcome through responsibility, work, and prayer.

“We prayed, during the Divine Liturgy, so that we, the theology professors, should receive the grace and gift of God to renew our power, get the spirit of wisdom and good understanding in order to reach the minds and hearts of the students and put there the words of the divine Revelation of the Holy Scriptures, as well as the models of the saints, especially of the Three Hierarchs whom we celebrate. We have also prayed for the spirit of collegiality and for that of the professors’ responsibility because it is not easy to teach theology in a world that either separates us of or brings us closer to God. We prayed for the students and together with the students so that they should receive the spirit of good understanding of the Holy Scriptures and of their preparation for priesthood.”

The feast of “Patriarch Justinian” Faculty of Theology of Bucharest continued at the institution’s seat. The book entitled “Justinian, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church. Memoirs”, has also been launched.

“You will have his memoirs, an integral part of our Church’s history, and understand how our Church could survive in a time of sad memory”, explained Univ. Prof. Dr. Remus Rus, co-ordinator of the book, to Trinitas Television channel.

Afterwards, “Dumitru Staniloae” assembly hall hosted the working session entitled “130 years of history at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of Bucharest”.

In the end, the chorus of the Faculty of Theology performed the traditional concert on this feast day.