The Prayer of the Heart in the Context of Secularization and Pseudo-religious Indifferentism. Missionary Precepts

The spiritual life in a secularized society is affected by the axiological mutations operating within it. Human autonomy – a harmful consequence of secularization – is the ferment of anthropocentrism and desacralization, and is directly responsible for the indifferentism of contemporary man. Prayer – in general – and the prayer of the heart – in particular – are devalued and hijacked in a materialistic, hedonistic and atheistic society, so that the mission of the Church must be reconfigured in terms of a teleological priority, so that knowledge, living and witnessing become the fundamental landmarks of the present-day spiritual life.

prayer, prayer of the heart, secularization, indifferentism, anthropocentrism, desacralization, spiritual life, materialism, hedonism, atheism.

Rev. Dr. Gheorghe ISTODOR is Professor at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, “Ovidius” University of Constanța, Romania.

Constanța, Romania

pr_george_istodor@yahoo.com

Rejection of Geocentrism and Modernity. The Theological Implications of Nicolaus Cusanus’ Cosmology

Although it did not generate echoes comparable to those caused by Nicolaus Copernicus, Johannes Kepler or Galileo Galilei, the vision of the Universe initiated by Cardinal Nicolaus Cusanus marked, practically for the first time in the Christian world, the rejection of the geocentric model of the Cosmos, so familiar to the medieval Church. Starting from here, our study aims to assess both the foundations of the cardinal’s innovative vision and the impact – perhaps surprising, but visible – that his cosmology generated on the most “tangible” structures of medieval theology. We will therefore insist on deciphering how Cusanus’s cosmology impacted some of the essential components of the Church’s current discourse and activity, namely on those which, above all, could be the object of the most common experience and representation of the faithful.

Religion, Cusanus, Mission, Cosmology, Geocentrism

Rev. Dr. Aurel PAVEL is Professor at the “Andrei Șaguna” Faculty of Orthodox Theology, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Romania

Sibiu, Romania

aurel.pavel@ulbsibiu.ro

Herausforderungen der rumänisch-orthodoxen Klinikseelsorge in Deutschland. Eine theologische Perspektive

This article explores the challenges faced by Romanian Orthodox hospital chaplaincy in German hospitals. It highlights the tension between Orthodox views on life, suffering, and death and the secular principles of the German healthcare system, which emphasize self-determination and strict legal frameworks. These differences create ethical dilemmas and pastoral challenges for Orthodox priests, including administrative barriers, prejudice, limited patient access, and insufficient knowledge of medical law. The study emphasizes the Romanian Orthodox Church’s role as a cultural mediator, advocating for preserving religious identity in a secularized environment. Practical solutions proposed include specialized training for priests on German healthcare practices, cooperation agreements with hospitals, creating a network of Orthodox chaplains, informational resources for believers and medical staff, and an Orthodox advance directive aligned with Christian values. The article underscores the need for pan-Orthodox collaboration and highlights the Church’s responsibility to provide spiritual care while staying true to its traditions in the face of modern medical challenges.

Orthodox chaplaincy in German hospitals, theological and medical issues, spiritual care, interfaith collaboration, religious identity, Orthodox bioethics.

Dr. Claudia Maria PODAȘCĂ is presently an associate researcher at the Faculty of Medicine, „Ruprecht Karl“ University of Heidelberg, Germany.

Heidelberg, Germany

claudiapodasca92@gmail.com

New Landmarks of the Social Doctrine in the Catholic Church? Fratelli Tutti and Its Social Relevance for the Contemporary World

Released in the end of 2020 on the tomb of Saint Francis of Assisi, Fratelli Tutti is at the moment the most recent social document of the Catholic Church. It comes to continue the direction suggested by previous encyclicals of nowadays head of the aforementioned institution, namely Pope Francis, like Laudato Si and in the same time, to offer a radiography of the contemporary society, showing why the Covid-19 pandemic times, migration or the misunderstanding of some of the economic principles that govern the society and in the same time to speak about the love for the neighbour, the compassion, the dialogue as solutions or to insist on the fact that the human rights are, in the contemporary form, insufficient, fact that should call to their re-evaluation and to the renewal of certain principles of dialogue at an international level. The present article therefore analyses the most recent social document of the Catholic Church, trying to bring it into attention its ecumenical relevance, its practical value and in the same time to present its minuses or the aspects that can be improved.

Pandemic Times, Interreligious Dialogue, Pope Francis, Social Theology, Migrant Crisis

Protos. Maxim (Iuliu-Marius) Morariu holds a PhD in Theology at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of the Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca and a PhD in Social Sciences at the Pontifical Angelicum University in Rome. He is also an associate member of the Academy of Romanian Scientists, New York Branch.

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iuliumariusmorariu@gmail.com

Pastoral-Liturgical Aspects in the Study of Baptism in Fr. Alexander Schmemann’s Works

Fr. Alexander Schmemann has often interpreted the content of the Holy Sacraments, attempting to restore to the hearts and minds of the faithful their essential value for the Christian life. Paradoxically, the danger of secularization is not the main obstacle in the path of today’s Christian, but his own perception of how the grace of the Holy Spirit works through the liturgical services. The Baptism Mass, although considered to be crucial for the beginning of the Christian life, is no longer interpreted as having a determining role in the whole existence of the believer. The Russian theologian asserts that we are confronted with an absence of Baptism from our community life and emphasizes the need to rediscover the baptismal theological meanings of the early Church. Today, the evident disinterest of the majority of Christians in the deeper meanings of the Sacrament prevents the graces received at Baptism from working with the minds and hearts of new converts. Baptism is effective as a Sacrament, but its long-term effect is hindered by the secularized mentality of Christians, who avoid liturgical participation and, by implication, stagnate that of their own children.

Holy Sacraments, The Holy Baptism, The Mystery of Chrismation, The Holy Eucharist, Fr. Alexander Schmemann

Rev. Dr. Cristian VAIDA is Lecturer at the “Andrei Șaguna” Faculty of Orthodox Theology, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Romania

Sibiu, Romania

cristian.vaida@ulbsibiu.ro

Introductory Notes on the New Testament’s Narratives of the Mystical Supper

This article offers a fresh perspective on key aspects essential for a deeper understanding of the four New Testament accounts of the institution of the Holy Eucharist. Rather than providing an in-depth exegetical analysis, which would exceed an article’s word limit, it examines the texts in their textual, historical, and theological context. It identifies key textual issues, compares the narratives to highlight their distinct features, and underscores notable insights. Special attention is paid to the theological-liturgical framework of the Mystical Supper and to the ecclesiological and mystagogical context in which these texts emerged. It highlights the necessity of viewing the Mystical Supper not only within the Jewish Passover context but also through the perspective of early Christian Easter theology. This approach better illuminates the chronological details, the insistence of the Evangelists on identifying the event as Πάσχα, and the mystery of the Holy Sacrament shared with the Apostles.

Passover, Mystical Supper, Holy Eucharist, Easter, Last Supper

Dr. Daniel MIHOC is Lecturer at the “Andrei Șaguna” Faculty of Orthodox Theology, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Romania

Sibiu, Romania

daniel.mihoc@ulbsibiu.ro

Predicile Sfântului Petru Hrisologul la fuga Mântuitorului în Egipt (CL-CLI)

Of the approximately 180 homilies of St. Peter Chrysologus, two sermons [CL and CLI] stand out, being dedicated to the evocation of Christ’s flight into Egypt, a feast based on the Nativity narrative of the Gospel of Matthew (2:13–15). The hermeneutic keys proposed to the audience are unique and offer a fresh interpretation of this scriptural passage, often overlooked in the liturgical cycle of the Nativity, illustrating once again the oratorical talent of the bishop of Ravenna.

Peter Chrysologus, Ravenna, Christ’s flight into Egypt, Nativity, Homiletics, Patristic exegesis

Dr. Dragoș BOICU is Lecturer at the “Andrei Șaguna” Faculty of Orthodox Theology, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Romania

Sibiu, Romania

dragos.boicu@ulbsibiu.ro

Benjamin Ahme, Internationalisierung in der Religionspädagogik. Methodologische Grundlagen und Diskursanalysen in international-vergleichender Perspektive (Internaționalizarea în pedagogia religiei. Fundamente metodologice și analize de discurs într-o perspectivă comparativă internațională), Paderborn: Brill Schöningh, 2022, 416 p., ISBN: 978-3-506-79623-3

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Mrs. Dr. Ramona BESOIU is presently a researcher at the “Andrei Șaguna” Faculty of Orthodox Theology, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Romania

Sibiu, Romania

ramona.besoiu@ulbsibiu.ro

Cristinel Ioja, A History of Dogmatics in the Romanian Orthodox Theology. From the Establishment of Communism to the Challenges of Postmodernity, Paderborn: Brill Schöningh, 2024, 717 p., ISBN: 978-3-506-79449-9

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Rev. Dr. Habil. Nicolae MOȘOIU is Associate Professor at the “Andrei Șaguna” Faculty of Orthodox Theology, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Romania

Sibiu, Romania

nicolaemosoiu@yahoo.com

Marina Kiroudi, Orthodoxer Religionsunterricht in Deutschland. Geschichte, Rahmenbedingungen, Perspektiven (Predarea religiei ortodoxe în Germania. Istorie, condiții cadru, perspective), Paderborn: Brill Schöningh, 2021, 367 p., ISBN: 978-3-506-70478-8

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Mrs. Dr. Ramona BESOIU is presently a researcher at the “Andrei Șaguna” Faculty of Orthodox Theology, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Romania

Sibiu, Romania

ramona.besoiu@ulbsibiu.ro

Eugen J. Pentiuc, Hearing the Scriptures: Liturgical Exegesis of the Old Testament in Byzantine Orthodox Hymnography, New York: Oxford University Press, 2021, XIX + 429 p., ISBN: 978-0-19-023964-0

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Rev. Dr. Habil. Constantin Horia OANCEA is Associate Professor at the “Andrei Șaguna” Faculty of Orthodox Theology, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Romania

Sibiu, Romania

constantin.oancea@ulbsibiu.ro