Presentation of Romanian translation of Metropolitan Hilarion’s books takes place in Iași

On 8 September 2014, the presentation of the Romanian translation of “Mystery of Faith” and “The Spiritual World of St. Isaac the Syrian”, books by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, took place at the oldest higher education institution in Romania, the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi. Among those who attended the presentation were the Archbishop of Iași, Metropolitan Teofan of Moldova and Bucovina, professors and students of the Theological Faculty of the University of Iaşi, monastics and clergymen.

The Romanian versions of Metropolitan Hilarion’s books have been published by the Doxologia Publishing House with the blessing of Metropolitan Teofan. Mr. Catalin Jeckel, Director of the Publishing House, read out Metropolitan Hilarion’s biography and told those present about the project of translating his books into the Romanian language. Archpriest Gheorge Popa, University pro-rector, professor of moral theology, presented the book “Mystery of Faith”. Archpriest Constantin Sturzu, advisor on culture to the Archdiocese of Iaşi, presented the book “The Spiritual World of St. Isaac the Syrian.” After that, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk addressed all those present, saying in particular:

“I would like to thank His Eminence Teofan for the opportunity to present these books and to visit his metropolitanate. During the visit, I have seen a lot of monasteries, met with monks and nuns and for the first time in my life had such vivid impression of this holy land. Probably, the most vivid impression was of the visit to the Neamţ Monastery. While a young man, I used to read about St. Paisius Velichkovsky, about his works as a scholar and a translator. And yesterday I had an opportunity to step over the threshold of his abode and venerate his holy relics.

I would also like to thank the staff of the Doxologia Publishing House and the translators, Ms. Felicia Dumas and Mr. Dragos Dasca, for translating my books into the Romanian language.”