Martyria magazine · issue XXI of the series

Issue I / 2026 January - June

Charity as an ‘expression of life in God’, a theme explored in depth by His Eminence Varsanufie, opens an issue that ranges from a study by the Athenian professor Maria Carábelia on the Life in…

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The issue's argument

Charity as an ‘expression of life in God’, a theme explored in depth by His Eminence Varsanufie, opens an issue that ranges from a study by the Athenian professor Maria Carábelia on the Life in Christ of Saint Nicholas Cabasilas, translated by Professor Ion Marian Croitoru, to a text by Archimandrite Maximos Constas on the foundations of Christian, and a study by Father Mercurie Daniel Apostol on the transfiguration of man through divine light; a ‘Vita Sanctorum’ feature dedicated to Saint John of Rila (his life written by Saint Euthymius, Patriarch of Tarnovo, and the Venerable One’s Testament, translated by Valentin Petre Lică), a dossier on Brâncoveanu and Râmnic with the zoomorphic and fantastical motifs found in the Brâncoveanu charters (part one), The Venerable Sava of Iezere, the second part of the study on Bishop Atanasie Mironescu and the 1765 procession with the relics of Saint Gregory the Decapolite, an exploration by Maria Anastasiu into the history of the pharaohs, The panegyric oration on the Great Constantine by Saint Stephen Brâncoveanu, translated by the hieromonk Hariton Popescu; the first part of Elena Dulgheru’s account of Costion Nicolescu; and the diary of the stavrofore Theodora Videscu, Nazareth – The City of the Annunciation.

Studia Theologica

4 studies
01 The work of charity as an expression of life in God His Eminence Varsanufie PDF
02 ‘Life in Christ’, according to the teachings of Saint Nicholas Cabasilas Prof. Dr. Maria Carábelia PDF
03 ‘Learning to unlearn’: The foundations of Christian Orthodox education The Most Reverend Archbishop Maximos Constas PDF
04 The transfiguration of man through the grace-filled work of divine light, a foreshadowing of the transfiguration in the age to come Rev. Dr. Mercurie-Daniel Apostol PDF

The Lives of the Saints

2 studies
05 The Life of the Venerable John of Rila, the Wonder-worker, written by Saint Euthymius, Patriarch of Tarnovo The Saint Eftimie PDF
06 The Testament of Saint John of Rila The Saint Ioan din Rila PDF

Studia Humanitatis

5 studies
07 Zoomorphic and fantastical motifs in the decoration of Brâncoveanu charters Associate Professor Dr Ion Marian Croitoru, Dr. Oana-Mădălina Popescu PDF
08 The Venerable Sava of Iezere - a historical and theological study of the holiness of his life and work Prof. Dr. Florin Epure PDF
09 Bishop Atanasie Mironescu (1898-1909) Rev. Dr. Laurențiu Rădoi PDF
10 Procession with the holy relics of Saint Gregory the Decapolite, Bucharest, 1765 Fr. Nicolae Moga PDF
11 The heretical pharaoh, the Jewish pharaoh and the female pharaoh - a (non-)erased history Maria Anastasiu PDF

The Words of the Fathers

1 study
12 A panegyric on the Great Constantine, the Equal-to-the-Apostles The Saint Ștefan Brâncoveanu PDF

Ars Christiana

1 study
13 ‘The Prince’. In memory of Costion Nicolescu Elena Dulgheru PDF

Via Peregrina

1 study
14 Nazareth - The City of the Annunciation Theodora Videscu PDF

Issue illustration

This issue features works by the artist Viorela Mihăescu. The reproductions of documents and manuscripts are drawn from the collections of the Library of the Romanian Academy, the National Archives of Romania and the National Museum of Art of Romania.

Abstract digital artwork: a stylised floral form with a central spike of silvery spherical petals between jagged turquoise, ochre and orange wings, on a blue and black ground.
Abstract digital artwork: a stylised floral form with a central spike of silvery spherical petals between jagged turquoise, ochre and orange wings, on a blue and black ground.
Abstract digital artwork: translucent wing-like forms in white, blue and golden yellow fanning upward above foaming turquoise water.
Abstract digital artwork: translucent wing-like forms in white, blue and golden yellow fanning upward above foaming turquoise water.
Abstract digital artwork: stylised wings in ochre, gold and grey coiled into a circular composition, on a black ground with turquoise and pink highlights.
Abstract digital artwork: stylised wings in ochre, gold and grey coiled into a circular composition, on a black ground with turquoise and pink highlights.
Abstract digital artwork: a silvery floral spike with spherical petals, surrounded by jagged turquoise, ochre and orange forms, on a black ground.
Abstract digital artwork: a silvery floral spike with spherical petals, surrounded by jagged turquoise, ochre and orange forms, on a black ground.
Abstract digital artwork: two stylised flowers with blue, violet and yellow petals blooming from wing-like forms, on a golden-grey ground with foam-like white patches.
Abstract digital artwork: two stylised flowers with blue, violet and yellow petals blooming from wing-like forms, on a golden-grey ground with foam-like white patches.
Abstract digital artwork: a flower stylised like a bird in flight, built from overlapping green, white, pink and ochre forms, on a dark ground.
Abstract digital artwork: a flower stylised like a bird in flight, built from overlapping green, white, pink and ochre forms, on a dark ground.
Fig. 1 (detail). BAR, Doc. Ist., MMVII/30. 5 December 1688. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirms to the spătar Mihai Cantacuzino 250 stânjeni of estate in Fundeni, received from Prince Șerban Cantacuzino, and in turn grants him another 250 stânjeni in the area from the princely estate. Charter decorated with two serpents coiled on the initial letter M. Written by Radu șufar, son of Gherghe șufar.
Fig. 1 (detail). BAR, Doc. Ist., MMVII/30. 5 December 1688. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirms to the spătar Mihai Cantacuzino 250 stânjeni of estate in Fundeni, received from Prince Șerban Cantacuzino, and in turn grants him another 250 stânjeni in the area from the princely estate. Charter decorated with two serpents coiled on the initial letter M. Written by Radu șufar, son of Gherghe șufar.
Fig. 1 BAR, Doc. Ist., MMVII/30. 5 December 1688. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirms to the spătar Mihai Cantacuzino 250 stânjeni of estate in Fundeni, received from Prince Șerban Cantacuzino, and in turn grants him another 250 stânjeni in the area from the princely estate. Charter decorated with two serpents coiled on the initial letter M. Written by Radu șufar, son of Gherghe șufar.
Fig. 1 BAR, Doc. Ist., MMVII/30. 5 December 1688. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirms to the spătar Mihai Cantacuzino 250 stânjeni of estate in Fundeni, received from Prince Șerban Cantacuzino, and in turn grants him another 250 stânjeni in the area from the princely estate. Charter decorated with two serpents coiled on the initial letter M. Written by Radu șufar, son of Gherghe șufar.
Fig. 2 ANIC, Achiziții Noi, XXXI/9. 2 May 1690, Bucharest. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirms to Marco of Ploiești several plots on Dealul Cernăteștilor. Charter decorated with two serpents coiled on the initial letter M. Written by Radu șufar, son of Gherghe șufar of Târgoviște.
Fig. 2 ANIC, Achiziții Noi, XXXI/9. 2 May 1690, Bucharest. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirms to Marco of Ploiești several plots on Dealul Cernăteștilor. Charter decorated with two serpents coiled on the initial letter M. Written by Radu șufar, son of Gherghe șufar of Târgoviște.
Fig. 3 ANIC, Tismana Monastery, XLVI/15. 8 February 1693. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirms to Radu the Greek and his wife Iana the village of Comănești, Gorj County. Charter decorated with two serpents, each coiled on one leg of the initial M, and with two birds; on the scrolls of the headpiece, on either side of the arms of Wallachia, the eagle with a cross in its beak. Written by Mihai, son of Stan the logothete of Târgoviște.
Fig. 3 ANIC, Tismana Monastery, XLVI/15. 8 February 1693. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirms to Radu the Greek and his wife Iana the village of Comănești, Gorj County. Charter decorated with two serpents, each coiled on one leg of the initial M, and with two birds; on the scrolls of the headpiece, on either side of the arms of Wallachia, the eagle with a cross in its beak. Written by Mihai, son of Stan the logothete of Târgoviște.
Fig. 4 BAR, Doc. Ist., LXXVIII/70. 25 May 1690. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirms to Radu the pârcălab, son of Balomir, an estate in Cuneștii de Jos. Charter decorated with two serpents, each coiled on one leg of the initial M. Written by Mihai, son of Stan the logothete of Târgoviște.
Fig. 4 BAR, Doc. Ist., LXXVIII/70. 25 May 1690. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirms to Radu the pârcălab, son of Balomir, an estate in Cuneștii de Jos. Charter decorated with two serpents, each coiled on one leg of the initial M. Written by Mihai, son of Stan the logothete of Târgoviște.
Fig. 5 BAR, LI/6. 22 April 1692. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirms to Mihalcea, great pitar, the Golești estate in Slam Râmnic County (Râmnicu Sărat). Charter decorated with two serpents coiled on the initial letter M, with a bird visible above. Written by Mihai, son of Stan the logothete of Târgoviște.
Fig. 5 BAR, LI/6. 22 April 1692. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirms to Mihalcea, great pitar, the Golești estate in Slam Râmnic County (Râmnicu Sărat). Charter decorated with two serpents coiled on the initial letter M, with a bird visible above. Written by Mihai, son of Stan the logothete of Târgoviște.
Fig. 6 BAR, Doc. Ist. CXLI/49. 14 February 1691, Bucharest. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirms to the monk Onofrie and his brothers an estate in Fundeni, Ilfov County. Document adorned with a serpent climbing, coiled around the sign of the Holy Cross. Written by Mihai, son of Stan the logothete of Târgoviște.
Fig. 6 BAR, Doc. Ist. CXLI/49. 14 February 1691, Bucharest. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirms to the monk Onofrie and his brothers an estate in Fundeni, Ilfov County. Document adorned with a serpent climbing, coiled around the sign of the Holy Cross. Written by Mihai, son of Stan the logothete of Târgoviște.
Fig. 7 ANIC, Sul 9. 25 April 1695, Bucharest. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu grants Hurezi Monastery, his foundation, estates, revenues and privileges. Document decorated with the icon of the Saviour Jesus Christ, Angels and Saints; at the base of the ornate initial are two serpents with open mouths. Written by Isar the junior logothete.
Fig. 7 ANIC, Sul 9. 25 April 1695, Bucharest. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu grants Hurezi Monastery, his foundation, estates, revenues and privileges. Document decorated with the icon of the Saviour Jesus Christ, Angels and Saints; at the base of the ornate initial are two serpents with open mouths. Written by Isar the junior logothete.
Fig. 8 BAR, Doc. Ist., CXXXIV/59. 25 November 1688, Bucharest. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirms to his uncles Constantin Cantacuzino, former great stolnic, Mihai, great spătar, and Iordache, former great spătar, the estates left after the death of their mother, Lady Elina, wife of the late Constantin Cantacuzino, former great postelnic. The initial is adorned with two serpents in the form of dragons. Written by Mihailovici Conțescul the logothete.
Fig. 8 BAR, Doc. Ist., CXXXIV/59. 25 November 1688, Bucharest. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirms to his uncles Constantin Cantacuzino, former great stolnic, Mihai, great spătar, and Iordache, former great spătar, the estates left after the death of their mother, Lady Elina, wife of the late Constantin Cantacuzino, former great postelnic. The initial is adorned with two serpents in the form of dragons. Written by Mihailovici Conțescul the logothete.
Fig. 9 BAR, Ms. rom. 1790, f. 6v. 17th century. The trilingual Slujebnic (Liturgikon) of Metropolitan Ștefan I of Ungrovlachia, richly illustrated with miniatures of icons, flowers and animals, real and fantastic; detail with four confronted serpents, two heads up and two heads down, coiled on the initial letter.
Fig. 9 BAR, Ms. rom. 1790, f. 6v. 17th century. The trilingual Slujebnic (Liturgikon) of Metropolitan Ștefan I of Ungrovlachia, richly illustrated with miniatures of icons, flowers and animals, real and fantastic; detail with four confronted serpents, two heads up and two heads down, coiled on the initial letter.
Fig. 10 BAR, Sul 92. 15 September 1767. Alexandru Scarlat Ghica, Prince of Wallachia, decrees the founding of a hospital beside the Monastery of Saint Panteleimon in Bucharest. The initial is decorated with four winged serpents; the headpiece shows Saints Panteleimon and Bessarion, patrons of the foundation, and personifications of the virtues Justice and Wisdom (who holds a serpent in her right hand). Written and illustrated by Popa Flor.
Fig. 10 BAR, Sul 92. 15 September 1767. Alexandru Scarlat Ghica, Prince of Wallachia, decrees the founding of a hospital beside the Monastery of Saint Panteleimon in Bucharest. The initial is decorated with four winged serpents; the headpiece shows Saints Panteleimon and Bessarion, patrons of the foundation, and personifications of the virtues Justice and Wisdom (who holds a serpent in her right hand). Written and illustrated by Popa Flor.
Fig. 12 BAR, Ms. gr. 1427, f. 27. Theological miscellany with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom and other prayers; first half of the 17th century; miniature of a hierarch in his vestments, with mitre and crozier ending in two serpents coiled below the horizontal bar.
Fig. 12 BAR, Ms. gr. 1427, f. 27. Theological miscellany with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom and other prayers; first half of the 17th century; miniature of a hierarch in his vestments, with mitre and crozier ending in two serpents coiled below the horizontal bar.
Fig. 13 BAR, Ms. rom. 1271, f. 19v. The Hierarchal Staff (Vaktiria), a nomocanon, translation from the second half of the 18th century. Image of a hierarch with a crozier ending in two confronted serpents, their bodies turned upward.
Fig. 13 BAR, Ms. rom. 1271, f. 19v. The Hierarchal Staff (Vaktiria), a nomocanon, translation from the second half of the 18th century. Image of a hierarch with a crozier ending in two confronted serpents, their bodies turned upward.
Fig. 11 BAR, Ms. gr. 1427, f. 19r. Theological miscellany with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom and other prayers; first half of the 17th century; miniatures with icons, floral motifs and two serpents; figure of a cleric inscribed “Daniel hieromonk”, possibly a self-portrait of the illuminator or the image of an abbot wearing an epigonation.
Fig. 11 BAR, Ms. gr. 1427, f. 19r. Theological miscellany with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom and other prayers; first half of the 17th century; miniatures with icons, floral motifs and two serpents; figure of a cleric inscribed “Daniel hieromonk”, possibly a self-portrait of the illuminator or the image of an abbot wearing an epigonation.
Fig. 14 MNAR, Ms. 23, f. 27r. Liturgikon, 1693–1697. Headpiece of the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great, decorated with winged serpents.
Fig. 14 MNAR, Ms. 23, f. 27r. Liturgikon, 1693–1697. Headpiece of the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great, decorated with winged serpents.
Fig. 15 BAR, Ms. gr. 1371, f. 20r. Religious manuscript, 1734. Initial adorned with two serpents.
Fig. 15 BAR, Ms. gr. 1371, f. 20r. Religious manuscript, 1734. Initial adorned with two serpents.
Fig. 16 BAR, Ms. rom. 1790, f. 94r. 17th century. The trilingual Slujebnic (Liturgikon) of Metropolitan Ștefan I of Ungrovlachia. Initial adorned with a serpent.
Fig. 16 BAR, Ms. rom. 1790, f. 94r. 17th century. The trilingual Slujebnic (Liturgikon) of Metropolitan Ștefan I of Ungrovlachia. Initial adorned with a serpent.
Fig. 17 BAR, Ms. rom. 1790, f. 94v. The trilingual Slujebnic (Liturgikon) of Metropolitan Ștefan I of Ungrovlachia. Initial decorated with a crown.
Fig. 17 BAR, Ms. rom. 1790, f. 94v. The trilingual Slujebnic (Liturgikon) of Metropolitan Ștefan I of Ungrovlachia. Initial decorated with a crown.
Painted floral motif: a turquoise-green tendril curling into a loop, with pink and red flowers, buds and leaves, cut out from the headpiece of a Brâncovenesc charter.
Painted floral motif: a turquoise-green tendril curling into a loop, with pink and red flowers, buds and leaves, cut out from the headpiece of a Brâncovenesc charter.
Abstract digital artwork: pink-purple flowers on a stem among translucent fan-shaped forms in blue, green and yellow.
Abstract digital artwork: pink-purple flowers on a stem among translucent fan-shaped forms in blue, green and yellow.
[Verse]: I have spoken of your virtue inadequately. Accept, Constantine, this oration, lesser than your graces.
[Verse]: I have spoken of your virtue inadequately. Accept, Constantine, this oration, lesser than your graces.
Title page of the Greek edition “Λόγος πανηγυρικὸς εἰς τὸν ἰσαπόστολον μέγαν Κωνσταντῖνον” (Panegyric Oration to Constantine the Great, Equal to the Apostles) by Ștefan Brâncoveanu, printed in Bucharest in 1701 by Anthim the Iberian, hieromonk, with the stamp of the Academy Library.
Title page of the Greek edition “Λόγος πανηγυρικὸς εἰς τὸν ἰσαπόστολον μέγαν Κωνσταντῖνον” (Panegyric Oration to Constantine the Great, Equal to the Apostles) by Ștefan Brâncoveanu, printed in Bucharest in 1701 by Anthim the Iberian, hieromonk, with the stamp of the Academy Library.
Abstract digital artwork: a floral spike of silvery spherical petals between jagged turquoise, ochre and orange wings, on a black and blue ground.
Abstract digital artwork: a floral spike of silvery spherical petals between jagged turquoise, ochre and orange wings, on a black and blue ground.
Abstract digital artwork: a stylised flower with orange stamens, made of translucent white, blue and yellow petals, above frilled white petals.
Abstract digital artwork: a stylised flower with orange stamens, made of translucent white, blue and yellow petals, above frilled white petals.

Editorial masthead

Executive Board

His Eminence Dr Varsanufie , Archbishop of Râmnic – Founding
President Rev. Constantin Olariu , Cultural Adviser, Archdiocese of Râmnic

Editorial Board

(in alphabetical order)

  • Prof. Dr Marius Andruh, President of the Romanian Academy
  • Academician Prof. Dr Ilie Bădescu, Romanian Academy
  • Prof. Irakli Brachuli, Department of Ethics and Philosophy of Religions, ‘Ivane Javakhishvili’ State University of Tbilisi, Georgia
  • Rev. Dr Bogdan Tătaru-Cazaban, Research Fellow at the Institute of the History of Religions, Romanian Academy
  • Prof. Maximos Constas, ‘Holy Cross’ School of Greek Orthodox Theology, Brookline, Massachusetts, USA
  • Dan Ciachir, writer, Bucharest
  • Prof. Ion Marian Croitoru, PhD (habil.), Faculty of Orthodox Theology, Valahia University, Târgoviște
  • Prof. Dr. Nicolae Georgescu, associate member of the Romanian Academy of Scientists, Bucharest
  • Lecturer Dr Octavian Gordon, ‘Justinian the Patriarch’ Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Bucharest
  • Prof. Marina Kolovopúlu, PhD, Faculty of Theology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
  • Professor Dr Giorgi Kvesitadze, President of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences
  • Prof. Bassam A. Nassif, ‘St John of Damascus’ Institute of Theology, University of Balamand, Lebanon
  • Prof. Dr Ioan-Aurel Pop, Romanian Academy
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr Svetoslav Ribolov, Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Sofia, Bulgaria
  • Prof. Dr Ioan Scurtu, founding full member of the Romanian Academy of Scientists, Bucharest
  • Associate Professor Dr Nicolae Xionis, Faculty of Theology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
  • Prof. Anastasia Zakariadze, ‘Antim Ivireanul’ Scientific Centre for the Study of Philosophy and Theology, ‘Ivane Javakhishvili’ State University of Tbilisi, Georgia

Editors

  • Rev. Constantin Olariu
  • Maria-Magdalena Manea

Graphic design, typesetting

Graphic Design Studio

Fonts

Calluna, Alegreya Sans