Reînvierea Institutului Teologic Universitar Ortodox din Cluj-Napoca (1990)

Abstract

The Revival of the Orthodox University Theological Institute from Cluj-Napoca (1990). The old Orthodox Theological Institute in Cluj existed between 1924- 1952. Unfortunately, in 1952, it was abolished by the communist rule in Romania. After the Revolution of December 1989, in the new conditions it was natural tomake a moral reparation to the Orthodox theological education in Cluj.The initiative for this restoration came from Rev. Prof. Dr. Alexandru Moraru, Rev. Prof. Dr. Valer Bel, Rev. Prof. Vasile Stanciu and Pr. Stelian Tofană. A memorandum was drawnup, which, with the blessing of Archbishop Teofil Herineanu, was submitted to the Romanian Patriarchate and the state authorities, in order to obtain approval for the re-establishment of the Institute. The Holy Synod of our Church decided (on February 12, 1990) to re-establish the Theological Institute in Cluj-Napoca. Theyweredesignated: in theposition of rector Rev. Prof. Dr. Alexandru Moraru, and in that of vice-rector Deacon. Prof. Dr. Ioan Vasile Leb.Regardingthespace, it wasagreedthat, tobeginwith, thenew institute wouldfunction in the same building as theTheologicalSeminary, whichhadactuallybeentheformerTheological Institute.On November 22, 1990, in thepresence of severalmembers of theHolySynodled byPatriarch Teoctist Arăpașu, theofficialreopening of theOrthodox University Theological Institute in Cluj-Napoca took place.