† Lucian Triteanu – episcop al Romanului (1923-1947) [Articol]

Abstract

Abstract: † Lucian Triteanu - bishop of Roman (1923-1947). After the Great Union of 1918 was achieved, when the century-old dream of all Romanians was fulfilled, the Romanian Orthodox Church set as its goal and attained the spiritual unity of the Romanians of all the historical provinces neighbouring the Old Kingdom. Thus a few Transilvanian Hierarchs were called to ministry within dioceses from Moldavia and Wallachia: Miron Cristea as Metropolitan of UngroWallachia, Nichita Duma as Bishop of Argeș and Lucian Triteanu for the Episcopal Seat of Roman. The latter was elected Bishop of Roman on March 29th of 1923 and pastored the Lower Lands of Moldavia for almost a quarter of a century. His activity recorded important administrative, pastoral-missionary and social and cultural achievements. With regard to the cultural activity of this Hierarch, we shall call to mind but a few of his contributions and achievements: the publishing of the diocesan magazine, named ”The Chronicles of Roman” (1924-1950); the rehabilitation of the paintings in the Episcopal Cathedral of Roman (founded by Ruler Petru Rareș), in collaboration with the Committee for Historical Monuments; the establishment of the Diocesan Library; the founding of a cultural Society named ”Miron Costin”, in Roman; his perennial care for the ”Saint George” Seminary and the Music Schools of Roman and Focșani; the instituting of multiple pastoral-missionary centres across the entire Diocese, which comprised four counties; he was the representative of the Romanian Orthodox Church at a few international events (at Mount Athos in 1930, and at the Romanian-Anglican Conference in 1935); for a time, he presided the official journal of the Romanian Patriarchate (”The Romanian Orthodox Church” Magazine). In the year of 1947, pressured by the comunist regime, he withdrew from his Episcopal Seat and adressed all his spiritual sons with a pastoral letter of acknowledgement and gratitude for the exceptional cooperation. There he declares the following: ”All that I have been able to achieve in my time as your pastor, with God`s help and the support of the Clergy and laymen alike, remains to be impartially judged by posterity, and posterity shall decide wether it is worthy of being recorded in the Great Book of the Church and of this People.” And in truth, the fair-minded history placed him right where he belongs, among the great XXth Century Hierarchs of the Romanian Church and People.