cenobitic life | Martyria

The Lives of the Saints No. I (XXI) / 2026 The Testament of Saint John of Rila The Saint Ioan din Rila

The Testament of Saint John of Rila, written in the year 941 and addressed to his disciples in the Rila wilderness, contains exhortations concerning the preservation of the Orthodox faith, the renunciation of the love of money, communal life as the highest form of monasticism, unceasing prayer, brotherly unity and the avoidance of divisions within the monastic community.

Studia Humanitatis No. I (X) / 2020 Bishop Vartolomeu Stănescu - a providential hierarch. Pastoral and missionary achievements Rev. Dr. Laurențiu Rădoi

Bishop Vartolomeu Stănescu of Râmnic (1921-1950) was one of the most active hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church in the first half of the 20th century, distinguishing himself through the founding of the ‘Renașterea’ Society, the organisation of parish centres, libraries and priests’ residences, the establishment of clergy credit unions, and the revitalisation of monastic life in Oltenia. His pastoral, missionary and cultural work profoundly transformed the Diocese of Râmnic, providing the clergy and faithful of Oltenia with solid frameworks for religious, social and economic development.

Colloquium No. II (VI) / 2018 Interview with Archimandrite Athanasius Prodromitus, Abbot of the Romanian Prodromu Skete on Mount Athos (III) Rev. Dr. Ștefan Zară, Monk Gherasim Prodromitul

The interview reconstructs the spiritual life of the Prodromu Skete on Mount Athos under the abbotship of Father Petroniu, presenting the Athonite practices he introduced in accordance with the Typikon of Saint Sava, the strained relations with the Great Lavra, and the restoration work carried out in a negligent manner. More recent crises are also discussed, including the breakaway of some monks from the Orthodox Church due to fanatical zealotry and the unauthorised use of the internet.

Colloquium No. I (V) / 2018 Interview with Archimandrite Athanasius Prodromitus, Abbot of the Romanian Prodromu Skete on Mount Athos (II) Rev. Dr. Ștefan Zară, Monk Gherasim Prodromitul

This article presents the spiritual life and monastic order of the Prodromu Skete on Mount Athos, under the abbotship of Father Petroniu, and their continuation by his successor. It describes in detail the principles of the community - the liturgical programme according to the Typikon of Saint Sava, the daily duties, weekly confession and the abbot’s way of life - as well as the process of electing the new abbot and the spiritual and administrative challenges facing the skete.

The Words of the Fathers No. II (II) / 2016 The Ninth Catechesis of our Holy Father and Confessor Theodore, Abbot of Studion, to his disciples Teodor Studitul

This sermon, delivered on Pentecost, reflects on the work of the Holy Spirit as Comforter and warns against the dangers of the love of money and carnal love, using as a concrete example the case of Evprepian, a monk who, after a life of witness at Sacudion, fell away from the faith and died in sin.

Studia Theologica No. I (I) / 2016 The Life and Feast Day of the Blessed Father Archimandrite John, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Hurezi († 15 June 1726)

The Venerable John of Hurezi, abbot of Hurezi Monastery between 1692 and 1726, is regarded as its second founder, continuing the work of Constantin Brâncoveanu: he organised monastic life, built the hermitages of the Holy Apostles and Saint Stephen, oversaw the frescoes, the library and the outbuildings, and defended Orthodoxy during the Habsburg rule.

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