In Defense of the Authenticity of the Dionysian Corpus (II)

Analyzing hitherto neglected passages in Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint Jerome, we argue that the Areopagitic corpus was known in the late fourth century AD. A close textual comparison of Dionysius with the works of Proclus, including an important comment in the latter’s Commentary on the Parmenides, reveals that Proclus is dependent on Dionysius and not the other way around. Furthermore, close lexical parallels between Dionysius and the Alexandrian philosophical school, together with a host of internal details, all point to a date of composition before the third century. We conclude by discussing implications of this thesis for the study of early Christianity.

Dionysian Corpus, Alexandria, Athenagoras, Apophatic Theology, Monasticism, Philo, Hierarchical Theology, Plotinus

Patrick (Craig) TRUGLIA, Columbia University, M.A. Profession: Missionary (to Cambodia) and English Language Orthodox Apologist.

Syracuse, NY (United States of America)

craigtruglia@gmail.com

Celibacy and Monasticism According to the Holy Canons

Celibacy and monasticism are two forms of Christian living. From a historical perspective, celibacy came first, but out of the desire to overcome individualism and for better organization, monasticism was born. Celibacy is founded upon chastity, while monasticism on obedience, chastity and poverty. Monasticism arose spontaneously and at the fourth Ecumenical Council was brought under the jurisdiction of the Church. In the holy canons we find numerous decisions regarding celibates and monks, with the aim of defending and observing the vows. In the East, deacons and priests were chosen from among the married, until present time. Bishops were initially chosen from the married, then from those who were celibate and finally from those who are monks. Among the Roman Catholics, the clergy is chosen only from celibates.

Family, Celibacy, Monasticism, Obedience, Chastity, Poverty, Vows, Tonsure, Canon, Responsibility, Communion

Rev. Dr. Irimie Marga is Assitant Professor of Orthodox Canon Law at the Faculty of Theology “Andrei Șaguna” of the “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu

Sibiu, Romania

irimie.marga@ulbsibiu.ro

Fr. John Breck and his Orthodox Perspective on Euthanasia

In the present research, the author presents the perspective of Fr. John Breck (1939), one of the most important Eastern Orthodox bioethicists on the topic of euthanasia. Books like The Sacred gift of life, Longing for God, God with us. Critical issues in Christian life and faith, or Stages on Life’s Way. Orthodox Thinking on Bioethics, are taken into attention in an attempt to understand which are the main aspects that define his attitude, his beliefs and his ideas. The way how the personal experiences in the field have shifted his attitude towards the problem is also emphasized and the principles suggested by the scholar in his books are also presented, together with the radiography of the main contemporary perceptions on euthanasia. The research comes not only to bring into attention an author whose perspectives are still relevant for the contemporary discourse, but also to invite to reflection and debate on a topic that is still actual and important both for the secular society, as for the Christianity.

Euthanasia, Fr. John Breck, Anthropology, Theodicee, Sufferance, Purification

Protos. Maxim (Iuliu-Marius) Morariu holds a PhD in Theology at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of the Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) in Cluj-Napoca (Summa cum laude) and a PhD in Social Sciences at the Pontifical Angelicum University in Rome (Summa cum laude). He has published, edited, coordinated or translated 45 volumes of theology, history and literature and over 350 studies, articles and reviews. He has collaborated with Radio Renașterea from Cluj-Napoca, Radio Trinitas, Radio Someș and the portal doxologia.ro. Since 2022, he is the ecclesiarch of the Episcopal Cathedral „St. Great Martyr George” in Saint-Hubert, QC and exarch of the monasteries of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada. Since 2023, he is also an associate member of the Academy of Romanian Scientists, New York Branch

Cluj-Napoca, Romania

iuliumariusmorariu@gmail.com

Orthodox Theology and Current Science – a Complementarity Perspective

The universe presents itself as a unitary, rational multilevel reality, as evidenced by the order and harmony of its constituent elements, elegantly described by the laws of various scientific paradigms. For Orthodox Christian theology, every existing thing has its own reason in God’s Reason, or the Logos of God. The existence of anything has its origin in God’s will for it to be, the entire universe having a Christocentric scope. The Christocentric Orthodox Theology always had a complementary approach on relation with science, founded on the distinction of their domains, having specific practical methods for knowing the Truth.

Logos, Christocentrism, Rationality, Creation, Universe, Science, Theology, Complementarity

PhD candidate at the Doctoral School of the Faculty of Theology “St. Andrei Șaguna” in Sibiu, advisor: Fr. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nicolae Moșoiu

Romania

gantolea@gmail.com

Evil Appearance in World and the Problem of the “Lesser Evil”

How could the evil appear in a perfect creation? How could all the things made by God, which were very good (Gen 1, 31), turn to evil in such a way that God repented and felt regret for having them created (Gen 6, 6-7)? How could the *Creator allow the emergence of a will contrary to His will and, in fact, how did it arise, because Blessed Augustine says that “therefore, (evil will) is the cause of all evils”. But what is the cause of birth of this will? What exactly caused this will to change its natural purpose (made by the Creator) in this way, becoming perverted, sickened, darkened? Regarding human beings, the fall was made possible by an external temptation, but for angels the fall comes from inside, evil arises in themselves without any other mediator.

Axiology, evil, virtue, problem of the “lesser evil”

Deacon of the Archbishopal Cathedral in Râmnicu Vâlcea and religion teacher at the Technological High School in Cisnădie and at the “Gheorghe Lazăr” Theoretical High School in Avrig

Romania

danielpiloiu96@gmail.com

Omiliile pascale LXXVIII şi LXXXIV ale Sfântului Petru Chrysologul

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Dragoș BOICU, Lector la Facultatea de Teologie „Andrei Șaguna” din cadrul Universității „Lucian Blaga” din Sibiu

Sibiu, Romania

dragos.boicu@ulbsibiu.ro

Andrew Louth, Originile tradiției mistice creștine. De la Platon la Dionisie Areopagitul, ediția a II-a, traducere Elisabeta Voichiţa Sita, Editura Deisis, Sibiu, 2024, 320 p., ISBN: 978-606-740-037-3

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Dr. Ciprian-Ioan TOROCZKAI is Assistant Professor at the Andrei Şaguna Orthodox Faculty of Theology, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Romania.Adress: Andrei Şaguna Orthodox Faculty of Theology Sibiu, Str. Mitropoliei nr. 20, RO – 550179

Sibiu, Romania

torocipri@hotmail.com

Kurt Krammer/Martin Rötting, Buddhismus in Europa. Facetten zwischen Mode, Minderheit und Mindfulness in interreligigösen Bezügen, Seria Religious Studies in Interfaith Contexts, Ed. LIT, Viena, 2022, 510 p., ISBN: 978-3-643-51107-2 (print), 978-3-643-66107-4 (ePDF)

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Dr. Alina PĂTRU is Lecturer in History and Philosophy of Religions at the Andrei Şaguna Orthodox Faculty of Theology, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Romania. Adress: Andrei Şaguna Orthodox Faculty of Theology Sibiu, Str. Mitropoliei nr. 20, RO – 550179 Sibiu.

Sibiu, Romania

patru_alina_ro@yahoo.com

Pr. Prof. Dr. Nicolae Chifăr, Dr. Dragoș Boicu, Criză și unitate în Antichitatea creștină: controversa donatistă, Ed. Doxologia, Iași, 2023, 226 p., ISBN: 978-630-301-048-9

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Vasile-Răzvan TEACU is doctoral student at the “Andrei Șaguna” Faculty of Orthodox Theology, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Romania

Sibiu, Romania

razvanteacu98@gmail.com

Pr. Prof. Dr. Nicolae Chifăr, Dr. Dragoș Boicu, Criză și unitate în Antichitatea creștină: controversa donatistă, Ed. Doxologia, Iași, 2023, 226 p., ISBN: 978-630-301-048-9

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Vlad-Anton ȘTEFĂNOAIA is doctoral student at the “Andrei Șaguna” Faculty of Orthodox Theology, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Romania

Sibiu, Romania

vladantonst@gmail.com