Patriarch Daniel of Romania
Encyclopedia
Daniel, born Dan Ilie Ciobotea (born 22 July 1951) is the Patriarch
of the Romanian Orthodox Church
. The elections took place on September 12, 2007. Daniel won with a majority of 95 votes out of 161. He was officially enthroned on September 30, 2007 in the Patriarchal Cathedral
in Bucharest
. As such, his official title is "Archbishop of Bucharest, Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrudgea, Locum tenens of the throne of Caesarea of Cappadocia, Patriarch of Romania"
Commune, Timiş County
, as the third son in the family of teacher Alexie and Stela Ciobotea.
He followed the Primary School
in his home village (1958–1962) and the Gymnasium
in Lăpuşnic village (1962–1966), Timiş County
. In 1966 he begins the High School
courses in Buziaş, which he then continues in Lugoj, at the "Coriolan Brediceanu" High School
(1967–1970).
After passing his Baccalaureate
exam, he then joined the university-level Theological Institute in Sibiu
(1970–1974), where he obtained his degree in Theology
with specialization in the New Testament
.
During the period 1974 - 1976 he followed the doctoral
courses at the Theological Institute in Bucharest
, Systematic Theology Section, under the supervision of Dumitru Stăniloae
; he continued his studies abroad: two years at the Protestant Theology Faculty of the University of Human Studies in Strasbourg
and another two years at the Albert Ludwig University in Freiburg im Breisgau, Catholic Theology Faculty.
His studies abroad prompted critics to argue that he collaborated with the Securitate
, because during the rule of communist president Nicolae Ceauşescu
, traveling and studying outside the Eastern Bloc
was almost impossible for those who did not send informative notes to the Securitate. Mircea Dinescu
of the CNSAS however said that his Securitate file was burnt in December 1989 and as such, it can't be known whether he collaborated with it or not.
On 15 June 1979 he defended a Doctoral Dissertation at the Protestant Theology Faculty in Strasbourg
, entitled: "Réflexion et vie chrétiennes aujourd'hui. Essai sur le rapport entre la théologie et la spiritualité, 424 pp." (Christian reflection and life today. Essay on the relationship between theology and spirituality, 424 pp) The dissertation was prepared under the supervision of two well-known French professors: Gerard Ziegwald and André Benoit and it received high praise. Thus he becomes Doctor
of the Strasbourg University.
A more developed version of his doctoral dissertation was prepared under the guidance of his mentor, Dumitru Stăniloae
and it was successfully defended on 31 October 1980 at the Orthodox Theological Institute in Bucharest
under the title: "Teologie şi spiritualitate creştină. Raportul dintre ele şi situaţia actuală" (Theology and Christian spirituality. The relationship between them and the current situation).
Between 1980-1986, Dan Ilie Ciobotea served as lecturer at the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland, while from 1986-1988 he acted as the institute's Adjunct Director.
In 1987 he enters the monastic life in the Sihăstria Monastery in Romania and takes the name Monk Daniel, having as his "monastic godfather" the well-known spiritual Archimandrite Cleopa Ilie
.
In 1992 he started teaching Theology at the Dumitru Staniloae Faculty of Orthodox Theology in the Al. I Cuza University in Iaşi.
Between 1 September 1988-1 March 1990, he was patriarchal counsellor and director of the Contemporary Theology and Ecumenical Dialogue Section in the Romanian Patriarchate.
In early 1990 he belonged to the short-lived Group for Reflection on Church Renewal where ironically he shared the same views for church reform with Bartolomeu Anania
, who would become his rival in the race for patriarch in 2007.
In March 1990, Daniel was ordained as suffragan bishop of the Archbishopric of Timişoara. Three months later, in June 1990, he was appointed Metropolitan of Moldova and Bukovina.
He founded the influential Radio Trinitas in 1998.
Between 5–8 October 2005, the Metropolitanate of Moldova and Bukovina
co-organized with the Centre for Post-communist Studies (Canada, directed by Dr. Lavinia Stan and Dr. Lucian Turcescu) a prestigious international symposium on Church and State in Post-communist Eastern Europe.
On September 12, 2007, he was elected to take the lead of the Romanian Orthodox Church
, after leading in all three rounds, ahead of the other candidates (Bartolomeu Anania
, Metropolitan of Cluj
and Ioan Selejean, Bishop of Covasna
and Harghita).
Although appreciated for his intellectual skills and diplomacy, Daniel is regarded as a renovationist and iron-handed patriarch by traditionalists and various radicals, who accuse him of being a Freemason, that he's supporting ecumenism
(considered a "heresy of our times") and that he plans to forcefully unite Romanian Orthodox Church with Roman Catholicism although he refuted the first allegation in a public statement.
, Geneva
and associate professor in Geneva
and Fribourg
, Switzerland
;
1988 - Patriarchal Counselor, Director of the Sector of Contemporary Theology and Ecumenical Dialogue;
1988 - Conferent at the Catheder of Christian Mission of the Ecumenical Institute in Bucharest
;
1990 (March) - elected and ordained Vicarius Bishop of the Archbishopric of Timişоаra;
1990 (June) - elected as Archbishop of Iaşi
and Metropolitan of Moldova and Bukovina;
since 1992 - Theology professor at the Orthodox Teology Faculty "Dumitru Stăniloae" of the "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University in Iaşi;
Representative of the National Synodal Commission for Religious Education Bucharest;
President of the Theology and Liturgics Commission of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church
Honorary Member of the National Commission for Historical Monuments Bucharest;
Member of the Central and Executive Committee of the Ecumenical Council of Churches (Geneva
, 1991–1998);
Member of the Presidium of Superior and Central Committee of the European Church Conference (since 1990);
Vicepresident of the Second General Meeting of the European Churches Conference (Graz
, 1997);
Full Member of the International Academy of Religious Sciences in Brussels
(2000).
Patriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
of the Romanian Orthodox Church
Romanian Orthodox Church
The Romanian Orthodox Church is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church. It is in full communion with other Eastern Orthodox churches, and is ranked seventh in order of precedence. The Primate of the church has the title of Patriarch...
. The elections took place on September 12, 2007. Daniel won with a majority of 95 votes out of 161. He was officially enthroned on September 30, 2007 in the Patriarchal Cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
in Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
. As such, his official title is "Archbishop of Bucharest, Metropolitan of Muntenia and Dobrudgea, Locum tenens of the throne of Caesarea of Cappadocia, Patriarch of Romania"
Life
Daniel Ciobotea was born in the village of Dobreşti, BaraBara, Timis
Bara is a commune in Timiş County, Romania. It is composed of five villages: Bara, Dobreşti , Lăpuşnic , Rădmăneşti and Spata .-References:...
Commune, Timiş County
Timis County
Timiș , , Banat Bulgarian: ) is a county of western Romania, in the historical region Banat, with the county seat at Timișoara. It is the largest county in Romania in terms of land area....
, as the third son in the family of teacher Alexie and Stela Ciobotea.
He followed the Primary School
Education in Romania
According to the Law on Education adopted in 1995, the Romanian Educational System is regulated by the Ministry of Education and Research . Each level has its own form of organization and is subject to different legislation. Kindergarten is optional between 3 and 6 years old...
in his home village (1958–1962) and the Gymnasium
Education in Romania
According to the Law on Education adopted in 1995, the Romanian Educational System is regulated by the Ministry of Education and Research . Each level has its own form of organization and is subject to different legislation. Kindergarten is optional between 3 and 6 years old...
in Lăpuşnic village (1962–1966), Timiş County
Timis County
Timiș , , Banat Bulgarian: ) is a county of western Romania, in the historical region Banat, with the county seat at Timișoara. It is the largest county in Romania in terms of land area....
. In 1966 he begins the High School
Education in Romania
According to the Law on Education adopted in 1995, the Romanian Educational System is regulated by the Ministry of Education and Research . Each level has its own form of organization and is subject to different legislation. Kindergarten is optional between 3 and 6 years old...
courses in Buziaş, which he then continues in Lugoj, at the "Coriolan Brediceanu" High School
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
(1967–1970).
After passing his Baccalaureate
Education in Romania
According to the Law on Education adopted in 1995, the Romanian Educational System is regulated by the Ministry of Education and Research . Each level has its own form of organization and is subject to different legislation. Kindergarten is optional between 3 and 6 years old...
exam, he then joined the university-level Theological Institute in Sibiu
Sibiu
Sibiu is a city in Transylvania, Romania with a population of 154,548. Located some 282 km north-west of Bucharest, the city straddles the Cibin River, a tributary of the river Olt...
(1970–1974), where he obtained his degree in Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
with specialization in the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
.
During the period 1974 - 1976 he followed the doctoral
Education in Romania
According to the Law on Education adopted in 1995, the Romanian Educational System is regulated by the Ministry of Education and Research . Each level has its own form of organization and is subject to different legislation. Kindergarten is optional between 3 and 6 years old...
courses at the Theological Institute in Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
, Systematic Theology Section, under the supervision of Dumitru Stăniloae
Dumitru Staniloae
Dumitru Stăniloae was a Romanian Eastern Orthodox priest, theologian, academic, and professor. Father Stăniloae worked for over 45 years on a comprehensive Romanian translation of the Philokalia, a collection of writings by the Church Fathers, together with the hieromonk, Arsenie Boca, who brought...
; he continued his studies abroad: two years at the Protestant Theology Faculty of the University of Human Studies in Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
and another two years at the Albert Ludwig University in Freiburg im Breisgau, Catholic Theology Faculty.
His studies abroad prompted critics to argue that he collaborated with the Securitate
Securitate
The Securitate was the secret police agency of Communist Romania. Previously, the Romanian secret police was called Siguranţa Statului. Founded on August 30, 1948, with help from the Soviet NKVD, the Securitate was abolished in December 1989, shortly after President Nicolae Ceaușescu was...
, because during the rule of communist president Nicolae Ceauşescu
Nicolae Ceausescu
Nicolae Ceaușescu was a Romanian Communist politician. He was General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party from 1965 to 1989, and as such was the country's second and last Communist leader...
, traveling and studying outside the Eastern Bloc
Eastern bloc
The term Eastern Bloc or Communist Bloc refers to the former communist states of Eastern and Central Europe, generally the Soviet Union and the countries of the Warsaw Pact...
was almost impossible for those who did not send informative notes to the Securitate. Mircea Dinescu
Mircea Dinescu
Mircea Dinescu is a Romanian poet, journalist and editor.He was born in Slobozia, the son of Ştefan Dinescu, a metalworker and Aurelia . Dinescu studied at the Faculty of Journalism of the Ştefan Gheorghiu Academy, and was considered a gifted young poet during his youth, with several poetry...
of the CNSAS however said that his Securitate file was burnt in December 1989 and as such, it can't be known whether he collaborated with it or not.
On 15 June 1979 he defended a Doctoral Dissertation at the Protestant Theology Faculty in Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
, entitled: "Réflexion et vie chrétiennes aujourd'hui. Essai sur le rapport entre la théologie et la spiritualité, 424 pp." (Christian reflection and life today. Essay on the relationship between theology and spirituality, 424 pp) The dissertation was prepared under the supervision of two well-known French professors: Gerard Ziegwald and André Benoit and it received high praise. Thus he becomes Doctor
Doctor (title)
Doctor, as a title, originates from the Latin word of the same spelling and meaning. The word is originally an agentive noun of the Latin verb docēre . It has been used as an honored academic title for over a millennium in Europe, where it dates back to the rise of the university. This use spread...
of the Strasbourg University.
A more developed version of his doctoral dissertation was prepared under the guidance of his mentor, Dumitru Stăniloae
Dumitru Staniloae
Dumitru Stăniloae was a Romanian Eastern Orthodox priest, theologian, academic, and professor. Father Stăniloae worked for over 45 years on a comprehensive Romanian translation of the Philokalia, a collection of writings by the Church Fathers, together with the hieromonk, Arsenie Boca, who brought...
and it was successfully defended on 31 October 1980 at the Orthodox Theological Institute in Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
under the title: "Teologie şi spiritualitate creştină. Raportul dintre ele şi situaţia actuală" (Theology and Christian spirituality. The relationship between them and the current situation).
Between 1980-1986, Dan Ilie Ciobotea served as lecturer at the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland, while from 1986-1988 he acted as the institute's Adjunct Director.
In 1987 he enters the monastic life in the Sihăstria Monastery in Romania and takes the name Monk Daniel, having as his "monastic godfather" the well-known spiritual Archimandrite Cleopa Ilie
Cleopa Ilie
Father Cleopa Ilie was an archimandrite and abbot of the Sihastria Monastery. He was a well-known spiritual representative of the Romanian Orthodox Church.-Biography:...
.
In 1992 he started teaching Theology at the Dumitru Staniloae Faculty of Orthodox Theology in the Al. I Cuza University in Iaşi.
Between 1 September 1988-1 March 1990, he was patriarchal counsellor and director of the Contemporary Theology and Ecumenical Dialogue Section in the Romanian Patriarchate.
In early 1990 he belonged to the short-lived Group for Reflection on Church Renewal where ironically he shared the same views for church reform with Bartolomeu Anania
Bartolomeu Anania
Bartolomeu Anania, was a Romanian Orthodox bishop, translator, writer and poet; he was the Metropolitan of Cluj, Alba, Crişana and Maramureş.-Early life:...
, who would become his rival in the race for patriarch in 2007.
In March 1990, Daniel was ordained as suffragan bishop of the Archbishopric of Timişoara. Three months later, in June 1990, he was appointed Metropolitan of Moldova and Bukovina.
He founded the influential Radio Trinitas in 1998.
Between 5–8 October 2005, the Metropolitanate of Moldova and Bukovina
Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina
The Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina, in Iaşi, Romania, is one of the main bishoprics of the Romanian Orthodox Church.-History:Recognised, in 1401, by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Metropolis of Moldavia united, in 1872, with the Metropolis of Ungro-Wallachia to form the...
co-organized with the Centre for Post-communist Studies (Canada, directed by Dr. Lavinia Stan and Dr. Lucian Turcescu) a prestigious international symposium on Church and State in Post-communist Eastern Europe.
On September 12, 2007, he was elected to take the lead of the Romanian Orthodox Church
Romanian Orthodox Church
The Romanian Orthodox Church is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church. It is in full communion with other Eastern Orthodox churches, and is ranked seventh in order of precedence. The Primate of the church has the title of Patriarch...
, after leading in all three rounds, ahead of the other candidates (Bartolomeu Anania
Bartolomeu Anania
Bartolomeu Anania, was a Romanian Orthodox bishop, translator, writer and poet; he was the Metropolitan of Cluj, Alba, Crişana and Maramureş.-Early life:...
, Metropolitan of Cluj
Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca , commonly known as Cluj, is the fourth most populous city in Romania and the seat of Cluj County in the northwestern part of the country. Geographically, it is roughly equidistant from Bucharest , Budapest and Belgrade...
and Ioan Selejean, Bishop of Covasna
Covasna
Covasna is a town in Covasna county, Transylvania, Romania, at an altitude of 550–600 m.Known as the "town of 1,000 mineral springs," Covasna is famous for its mineral waters. Each spring has a different mixture of minerals, chiefly carbon dioxide, sulfur, and ammonia...
and Harghita).
Although appreciated for his intellectual skills and diplomacy, Daniel is regarded as a renovationist and iron-handed patriarch by traditionalists and various radicals, who accuse him of being a Freemason, that he's supporting ecumenism
Ecumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
(considered a "heresy of our times") and that he plans to forcefully unite Romanian Orthodox Church with Roman Catholicism although he refuted the first allegation in a public statement.
Offices and Honors
1980 - 1988 - Lector at the Ecumenical Institute in BosseyBossey
Bossey is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.-References:*...
, Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
and associate professor in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
and Fribourg
Fribourg
Fribourg is the capital of the Swiss canton of Fribourg and the district of Sarine. It is located on both sides of the river Saane/Sarine, on the Swiss plateau, and is an important economic, administrative and educational center on the cultural border between German and French Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
;
1988 - Patriarchal Counselor, Director of the Sector of Contemporary Theology and Ecumenical Dialogue;
1988 - Conferent at the Catheder of Christian Mission of the Ecumenical Institute in Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
;
1990 (March) - elected and ordained Vicarius Bishop of the Archbishopric of Timişоаra;
1990 (June) - elected as Archbishop of Iaşi
Iasi
Iași is the second most populous city and a municipality in Romania. Located in the historical Moldavia region, Iași has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Romanian social, cultural, academic and artistic life...
and Metropolitan of Moldova and Bukovina;
since 1992 - Theology professor at the Orthodox Teology Faculty "Dumitru Stăniloae" of the "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University in Iaşi;
Representative of the National Synodal Commission for Religious Education Bucharest;
President of the Theology and Liturgics Commission of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church
Honorary Member of the National Commission for Historical Monuments Bucharest;
Member of the Central and Executive Committee of the Ecumenical Council of Churches (Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, 1991–1998);
Member of the Presidium of Superior and Central Committee of the European Church Conference (since 1990);
Vicepresident of the Second General Meeting of the European Churches Conference (Graz
Graz
The more recent population figures do not give the whole picture as only people with principal residence status are counted and people with secondary residence status are not. Most of the people with secondary residence status in Graz are students...
, 1997);
Full Member of the International Academy of Religious Sciences in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
(2000).