Martyria magazine · issue XXII of the series

Issue II / 2026 July - December

Humility, ‘the foundation of the spiritual life and of ecclesial communion’, a theme explored in depth by His Eminence Varsanufie, opens an issue that ranges from a study by the Athenian professor…

15 studies
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The issue's argument

Humility, ‘the foundation of the spiritual life and of ecclesial communion’, a theme explored in depth by His Eminence Varsanufie, opens an issue that ranges from a study by the Athenian professor Pandele Léccu on the feast of Saint Demetrius in Thessaloniki, the ‘Easter’ of the city’s patron saint, translated by Professor Ion Marian Croitoru, to a text by Archimandrite Maximos Constas on the rapture of Saint Paul the Apostle to the third heaven in the Byzantine theological tradition, and a study by Father Mercurie Daniel Apostol on man’s effort, aided by grace, to attain the vision of the divine light, a Vita Sanctorum dossier containing the life of the Venerable Philothea, written by Euthymius, Patriarch of Tarnovo, translated by Valentin Petre Lică, and featuring Saint Christina of Bolsena, as described by Father Gheorghe Militaru, a dossier on Brâncoveanu and Râmnic, containing the second part of the study on the ornithomorphic and fantastical motifs in the Brâncoveanu manuscripts, the Inătești Hermitage, a former metochion of Cozia in Râmnic, the third part of the study on Bishop Atanasie Mironescu and his pastoral visit to the Lotru Valley, a study by Professor Ioan St. Lazăr on the precursors of the Marian cult in the first half of the first millennium, a study by Maria Anastasiu on Herod the Great, the panegyric oration on the First Martyr Stephen by Saint Stephen Brâncoveanu, translated by the hieromonk Hariton Popescu, the second part of Elena Dulgheru’s tribute to Costion Nicolescu, and the diary of the stavrophora Theodora Videscu, Jericho and the Hozeva Valley.

Studia Theologica

4 studies
01 Humility: the foundation of the spiritual life and of ecclesial communion His Eminence Varsanufie PDF
02 The Feast of Saint Demetrius in Thessaloniki: the Saint’s ‘Easter’ as a special way for the people of Thessaloniki to honour the city’s patron saint Professor, PhD Pandele Léccu PDF
03 The Rapture of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Third Heaven (2 Corinthians 12:1-10) in the Byzantine theological tradition The Most Reverend Archbishop Maximos Constas PDF
04 Man’s endeavour, aided by divine grace, to attain the vision of the divine light Rev. Dr. Mercurie-Daniel Apostol PDF

The Lives of the Saints

2 studies
05 The Life and Times of Our Pious Mother Philothea, written by Euthymius, Patriarch of Tarnovo The Saint Eftimie PDF
06 Saint Christina of Bolsena (Italy) Fr. Gheorghe Militaru PDF

Studia Humanitatis

6 studies
07 Ornithomorphic and fantastical motifs in the decoration of Brâncoveanu charters Associate Professor Dr Ion Marian Croitoru, Dr. Oana-Mădălina Popescu PDF
08 An old dependency of Cozia in Râmnic: the Inătești Hermitage Prof. Dr. Florin Epure PDF
09 Bishop Atanasie Mironescu (1898-1909) Rev. Dr. Laurențiu Rădoi PDF
10 The pastoral visit of Bishop Atanasie of Râmnic - Noul Severin to the parishes in the Lotru Valley Fr. Nicolae Moga PDF
11 Early forms of Marian devotion in the first half of the first millennium Associate Professor, PhD Ioan Lazăr PDF
12 Herod the Great, the ugliest of all mortals Maria Anastasiu PDF

The Words of the Fathers

1 study
13 A panegyric on Stephen, the First Martyr of Christ The Saint Ștefan Brâncoveanu PDF

Ars Christiana

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

Via Peregrina

1 study
15 Jericho and the Valley of Hozah 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: wing-like forms in yellow, turquoise and white fanning out over a ground of gold and blue metallic reflections.
Abstract digital artwork: wing-like forms in yellow, turquoise and white fanning out over a ground of gold and blue metallic reflections.
Abstract digital artwork: a translucent white form like a bird with outspread wings, above blue and gold reflections.
Abstract digital artwork: a translucent white form like a bird with outspread wings, above blue and gold reflections.
Abstract digital artwork: blue, white and yellow wings twisting around a black void, on a ground shading from yellow to black.
Abstract digital artwork: blue, white and yellow wings twisting around a black void, on a ground shading from yellow to black.
Abstract digital artwork: a white bird-like form with outspread wings above waves of blue, gold and brown metallic reflections.
Abstract digital artwork: a white bird-like form with outspread wings above waves of blue, gold and brown metallic reflections.
Abstract digital artwork: stylised white, blue and cream wings overlapping like fans, on a dark ground with yellow light in one corner.
Abstract digital artwork: stylised white, blue and cream wings overlapping like fans, on a dark ground with yellow light in one corner.
The face of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius the Myrrh-streaming, in mosaic (late 6th – early 7th century), preserved in the Church of Saint Demetrius in Thessaloniki, Greece.
The face of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius the Myrrh-streaming, in mosaic (late 6th – early 7th century), preserved in the Church of Saint Demetrius in Thessaloniki, Greece.
View from the north of the Church of Saint Demetrius in Thessaloniki, Greece.
View from the north of the Church of Saint Demetrius in Thessaloniki, Greece.
The crypt of Saint Demetrius, 5th–6th centuries, beneath the church.
The crypt of Saint Demetrius, 5th–6th centuries, beneath the church.
Abstract digital artwork: a stylised flower of overlapping red, pink, white and blue forms on a black ground with green highlights.
Abstract digital artwork: a stylised flower of overlapping red, pink, white and blue forms on a black ground with green highlights.
Fig. 1 (details). BAR, Doc. Ist., MMVII/30 CCCI/ 26. 20 December 1695, Bucharest. Charter by which Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirmed several properties to Vergo, great paharnic. The initial letter M is decorated, among other things, with two birds, a peacock and an eagle. Written by Isar the junior logothete.
Fig. 1 (details). BAR, Doc. Ist., MMVII/30 CCCI/ 26. 20 December 1695, Bucharest. Charter by which Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirmed several properties to Vergo, great paharnic. The initial letter M is decorated, among other things, with two birds, a peacock and an eagle. Written by Isar the junior logothete.
Fig. 1 (details). BAR, Doc. Ist., MMVII/30 CCCI/ 26. 20 December 1695, Bucharest. Charter by which Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirmed several properties to Vergo, great paharnic. The initial letter M is decorated, among other things, with two birds, a peacock and an eagle. Written by Isar the junior logothete.
Fig. 1 (details). BAR, Doc. Ist., MMVII/30 CCCI/ 26. 20 December 1695, Bucharest. Charter by which Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirmed several properties to Vergo, great paharnic. The initial letter M is decorated, among other things, with two birds, a peacock and an eagle. Written by Isar the junior logothete.
Fig. 1 BAR, Doc. Ist., MMVII/30 CCCI/ 26. 20 December 1695, Bucharest. Charter by which Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirmed several properties to Vergo, great paharnic. The initial letter M is decorated, among other things, with two birds, a peacock and an eagle. Written by Isar the junior logothete.
Fig. 1 BAR, Doc. Ist., MMVII/30 CCCI/ 26. 20 December 1695, Bucharest. Charter by which Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirmed several properties to Vergo, great paharnic. The initial letter M is decorated, among other things, with two birds, a peacock and an eagle. Written by Isar the junior logothete.
Fig. 2 National Museum of Art of Romania, Manuscript 23, f. 2r. 1693–1697. Greek Liturgikon made in Wallachia at the wish of Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu by the hieromonk Callinicus, copyist and illuminator; the headpiece of the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom is adorned with interlace, plant motifs, acanthus flowers, two serpents and two peacocks; the initial letter O is likewise decorated with acanthus flowers; polychrome miniatures.
Fig. 2 National Museum of Art of Romania, Manuscript 23, f. 2r. 1693–1697. Greek Liturgikon made in Wallachia at the wish of Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu by the hieromonk Callinicus, copyist and illuminator; the headpiece of the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom is adorned with interlace, plant motifs, acanthus flowers, two serpents and two peacocks; the initial letter O is likewise decorated with acanthus flowers; polychrome miniatures.
Fig. 3 National Museum of Art of Romania, Manuscript 23, f. 2r. 1693–1697. Greek Liturgikon made in Wallachia at the wish of Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu by the hieromonk Callinicus, copyist and illuminator; the initial letter O is decorated with a saint shown in prayer, and the border is adorned with interlace, animal and bird motifs; polychrome miniatures.
Fig. 3 National Museum of Art of Romania, Manuscript 23, f. 2r. 1693–1697. Greek Liturgikon made in Wallachia at the wish of Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu by the hieromonk Callinicus, copyist and illuminator; the initial letter O is decorated with a saint shown in prayer, and the border is adorned with interlace, animal and bird motifs; polychrome miniatures.
Fig. 4 BAR, Greek Manuscript 1427, f. 8v. Theological miscellany with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom and other prayers; first half of the 17th century; miniature with animal and bird motifs: a Saint in hierarchal vestments beneath a portico, above which a Seraph is shown.
Fig. 4 BAR, Greek Manuscript 1427, f. 8v. Theological miscellany with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom and other prayers; first half of the 17th century; miniature with animal and bird motifs: a Saint in hierarchal vestments beneath a portico, above which a Seraph is shown.
Fig. 5 BAR, Greek Manuscript 1371, f. 39r. Manuscript of church texts including, among others, the services of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel and of the Holy Martyrs Onesiphorus and Porphyrius, with a note dated 1734; miniatures with icons, floral and animal motifs, real and fantastic; detail with peacocks.
Fig. 5 BAR, Greek Manuscript 1371, f. 39r. Manuscript of church texts including, among others, the services of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel and of the Holy Martyrs Onesiphorus and Porphyrius, with a note dated 1734; miniatures with icons, floral and animal motifs, real and fantastic; detail with peacocks.
Fig. 6 Central Historical National Archives, Brâncoveni Monastery, III/21. 14 January 1696, Bucharest. Charter by which Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirmed to Brâncoveni Monastery the share of Radu-Vodă Monastery in the Roșiani estate, Romanați County, and the share of the nun Marta in the village of Bănești. The initial letter M is decorated with acanthus flowers, with the eagle bearing a cross above. Written by Isar the junior logothete.
Fig. 6 Central Historical National Archives, Brâncoveni Monastery, III/21. 14 January 1696, Bucharest. Charter by which Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirmed to Brâncoveni Monastery the share of Radu-Vodă Monastery in the Roșiani estate, Romanați County, and the share of the nun Marta in the village of Bănești. The initial letter M is decorated with acanthus flowers, with the eagle bearing a cross above. Written by Isar the junior logothete.
Fig. 7 Central Historical National Archives, Râmnicu Sărat Monastery, I/16. 18 June 1696. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu granted Râmnicu de Jos Monastery the toll on carts at the Teișani salt mine, and Radu-Vodă Monastery the toll at Ghitioara. Two birds are shown beside the arms of the country. Written by Isar the junior logothete.
Fig. 7 Central Historical National Archives, Râmnicu Sărat Monastery, I/16. 18 June 1696. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu granted Râmnicu de Jos Monastery the toll on carts at the Teișani salt mine, and Radu-Vodă Monastery the toll at Ghitioara. Two birds are shown beside the arms of the country. Written by Isar the junior logothete.
Fig. 8 Central Historical National Archives, Cernica Monastery, II/20. Before 1 September 1702. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirmed to the scholar Constantin Cantacuzino, former great stolnic, the Arzoaia estate, Ilfov County. Two birds are shown beside the arms of the country. Written by Isar the junior logothete.
Fig. 8 Central Historical National Archives, Cernica Monastery, II/20. Before 1 September 1702. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirmed to the scholar Constantin Cantacuzino, former great stolnic, the Arzoaia estate, Ilfov County. Two birds are shown beside the arms of the country. Written by Isar the junior logothete.
Fig. 9 Central Historical National Archives, Hurezi Monastery, III/71. 22 December 1691, Bucharest. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirmed to Hurezi Monastery parts of the villages of Puțuri, Gioroc and Bratovoești in Dolj County. Two birds are shown on the shield of the arms and another on the initial letter M, adorned with acanthus flowers. Written by Constantin Mihalovici Conțescul.
Fig. 9 Central Historical National Archives, Hurezi Monastery, III/71. 22 December 1691, Bucharest. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirmed to Hurezi Monastery parts of the villages of Puțuri, Gioroc and Bratovoești in Dolj County. Two birds are shown on the shield of the arms and another on the initial letter M, adorned with acanthus flowers. Written by Constantin Mihalovici Conțescul.
Fig. 10 Central Historical National Archives, Metropolitanate of Wallachia, XVI/17. 20 May 1693, Bucharest. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirmed to the priest Fiera and his sons an estate in Băjești, Ilfov County, and a fishpond on the Mostiștea. The headpiece is decorated with two bouquets of acanthus flowers on either side of the shield with the arms of the country, the eagle bearing a cross; on the floral ornament of the letter M is a white bird with folded wings.
Fig. 10 Central Historical National Archives, Metropolitanate of Wallachia, XVI/17. 20 May 1693, Bucharest. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirmed to the priest Fiera and his sons an estate in Băjești, Ilfov County, and a fishpond on the Mostiștea. The headpiece is decorated with two bouquets of acanthus flowers on either side of the shield with the arms of the country, the eagle bearing a cross; on the floral ornament of the letter M is a white bird with folded wings.
Fig. 11 BAR, Historical Documents, CLIX/15. 30 December 1691. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirmed to Alexandru, great logothete, the village of Alexeni in Ialomița County. Charter decorated with the eagle bearing a cross, two winged lions as supporters, and a bird on the initial M. Written by Mihai the logothete, son of Stan.
Fig. 11 BAR, Historical Documents, CLIX/15. 30 December 1691. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu confirmed to Alexandru, great logothete, the village of Alexeni in Ialomița County. Charter decorated with the eagle bearing a cross, two winged lions as supporters, and a bird on the initial M. Written by Mihai the logothete, son of Stan.
Fig. 12 Central Historical National Archives, Bistrița Monastery, LXIII/234. 15 January 1689, Bucharest. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu exempts from taxes 50 households of serfs of Bistrița Monastery, Vâlcea County. The symbolic invocation and the initial letter M are decorated with two birds. Written by Radu, son of Gherghe the logothete.
Fig. 12 Central Historical National Archives, Bistrița Monastery, LXIII/234. 15 January 1689, Bucharest. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu exempts from taxes 50 households of serfs of Bistrița Monastery, Vâlcea County. The symbolic invocation and the initial letter M are decorated with two birds. Written by Radu, son of Gherghe the logothete.
Fig. 13 Central Historical National Archives, Hurezi Monastery, LV/1. 16 December 1691, Bucharest. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu grants Hurezi Monastery the wine tithe from the hills of Sutești, Nemoiu, Gărdești, Zlătărei and Crețeni in Vâlcea County. Charter decorated with two birds within the initial letter M. Written by Gherghe, logothete of the Divan, son of Iane the logothete.
Fig. 13 Central Historical National Archives, Hurezi Monastery, LV/1. 16 December 1691, Bucharest. Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu grants Hurezi Monastery the wine tithe from the hills of Sutești, Nemoiu, Gărdești, Zlătărei and Crețeni in Vâlcea County. Charter decorated with two birds within the initial letter M. Written by Gherghe, logothete of the Divan, son of Iane the logothete.
Abstract digital artwork: stylised white, blue and yellow wings twisting on a dark ground with red and orange bands.
Abstract digital artwork: stylised white, blue and yellow wings twisting on a dark ground with red and orange bands.
[Verse]: “Accept this oration, whose crown and beauty you are. Save, then, [my] parents, the homeland and me, Father.” This engraving of the martyrdom of the Holy Apostle, First Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen is missing from the first edition of 1701 and appears only in its 1702 reprint, together with the text translated here (translator’s note).
[Verse]: “Accept this oration, whose crown and beauty you are. Save, then, [my] parents, the homeland and me, Father.” This engraving of the martyrdom of the Holy Apostle, First Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen is missing from the first edition of 1701 and appears only in its 1702 reprint, together with the text translated here (translator’s note).
Abstract digital artwork: stylised blue, yellow and cream wings unfolding vertically on a dark green-black ground with a red band.
Abstract digital artwork: stylised blue, yellow and cream wings unfolding vertically on a dark green-black ground with a red band.
Abstract digital artwork: pink-purple lily flowers among white and blue wing-like forms, on a dark ground with red.
Abstract digital artwork: pink-purple lily flowers among white and blue wing-like forms, on a dark ground with red.
Abstract digital artwork: stylised white, blue and yellow wings spiralling on a dark ground with red and orange at the top.
Abstract digital artwork: stylised white, blue and yellow wings spiralling on a dark ground with red and orange at the top.

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 Sciences, 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