- Romania, Cluj-Napoca
Cristian S Sonea
Babes-Bolyai University, Facultatea de Teologie Ortodoxă, Faculty Member
- Priest, Professoredit
Research Interests:
Theological education in the Orthodox world has some specific characteristics framed within a particular liturgical rhythm, emphasising the mystagogical rather than the pedagogies. It is counterintuitive and looks to the Patristic... more
Theological education in the Orthodox world has some specific characteristics framed within a particular liturgical rhythm, emphasising the mystagogical rather than the pedagogies. It is counterintuitive and looks to the Patristic Tradition as a revealed theological landmark. The educational vision of the formation of theologians in the Church is to prepare them to share in the mystery of the Kingdom of God in the present, but with the living experience of the Fathers of the past as a model or ethos of spiritual living. We are witnessing an educational failure to the extent that theological teaching does not target the substance of theology. Often the work of grace is abandoned leading to the emergence of a new species of teacher and thinker, professional priests and missionaries, very well equipped with the tools of preaching and witness, but without the life of the Spirit, which must be transmitted through these tools.
Research Interests:
The paper proposes a theological answer to the issue of the women's ordination in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Its main goal is to present the current level of discussions on the topic and to ofer an antropological approach to the... more
The paper proposes a theological answer to the issue of the women's ordination in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Its main goal is to present the current level of discussions on the topic and to ofer an antropological approach to the ordained priesthood. Therefore the paper presents a short overview of the history of the women's ordination , of the biblical and theological arguments against it, and of the critiques of the theological argumentation against the ordination of women. It suggest the introduction of the archetypal and ontological theory on the theme and proposes a phenom-enological methodology to analize the women's ordination in specifi c contexts.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The paper will investigate the orthodox understanding of mission as “liturgy after the Liturgy” and its consequences for human life. The Eucharistic Liturgy understood as an experience of God where the community of saints reveal the... more
The paper will investigate the orthodox understanding of mission as “liturgy after the Liturgy” and its consequences for human life. The Eucharistic Liturgy understood as an experience of God where the community of saints reveal the absolute model of unity must be replicated in the human society as another type of liturgy, a liturgy of solidarity. The research will present how starting from the Eucharistic community we can reach the community in solidarity.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Historically, in Romania, the relations between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the evangelical communities have been characterized by tension and mutual distrust. That is why, unfortunately, there has been no official dialogue between... more
Historically, in Romania, the relations between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the evangelical communities have been characterized by tension and mutual distrust. That is why, unfortunately, there has been no official dialogue between the two communities so far. The present article investigates the theoretical possibility for such an ecumenical dialogue to occur by analysing the contributions of several evangelical theologians who published research studies on theological topics specific to Eastern orthodox theology. Their positions were analysed from the perspective of an inclusive theology which allowed us to identify some common themes for both traditions: the authority in interpreting the Scriptures, salvation as a process, and the Church understood through the application of a perichoretic model. All these convergent themes could constitute the basis for a future official ecumenical dialogue between the evangelicals and the orthodox from Romania.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The fall of the Communist regime marked a historical moment in Eastern Europe dividing the contemporary life of the society into two periods. Before and after now define life in a society with high expectations, which, at the same time... more
The fall of the Communist regime marked a historical moment in Eastern Europe dividing the contemporary life of the society into two periods. Before and after now define life in a society with high expectations, which, at the same time experiences the disappointment of unfulfilled promises and desires at a social, political and economic level. Hope and disappointment also character- ize the evolution of the ecumenical initiatives in post-Communist Romania. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the evolution of the ecumenical theology and the ecumenical involvement of the Romanian Orthodox Church (ROC) after the fall of Communism. On one hand, it will emphasize the ecu- menical openness of the Romanian Orthodox theology, and the theology of hope for Christian unity. On the other hand, it will touch on the current ecu- menical crisis and its consequences for the unity of the pan-orthodox commu- nion and for the ecumenical relations within the Romanian context.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Theological education in the Orthodox world has some specific characteristics framed within a particular liturgical rhythm, emphasising the mystagogical rather than the pedagogies. It is counterintuitive and looks to the Patristic... more
Theological education in the Orthodox world has some specific characteristics framed within a particular liturgical rhythm, emphasising the mystagogical rather than the pedagogies. It is counterintuitive and looks to the Patristic Tradition as a revealed theological landmark. The educational vision of the formation of theologians in the Church is to prepare them to share in the mystery of the Kingdom of God in the present, but with the living experience of the Fathers of the past as a model or ethos of spiritual living. We are witnessing an educational failure to the extent that theological teaching does not target the substance of theology. Often the work of grace is abandoned leading to the emergence of a new species of teacher and thinker, professional priests and missionaries, very well equipped with the tools of preaching and witness, but without the life of the Spirit, which must be transmitted through these tools.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The paper proposes a theological answer to the issue of the women's ordination in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Its main goal is to present the current level of discussions on the topic and to ofer an antropological approach to the... more
The paper proposes a theological answer to the issue of the women's ordination in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Its main goal is to present the current level of discussions on the topic and to ofer an antropological approach to the ordained priesthood. Therefore the paper presents a short overview of the history of the women's ordination , of the biblical and theological arguments against it, and of the critiques of the theological argumentation against the ordination of women. It suggest the introduction of the archetypal and ontological theory on the theme and proposes a phenom-enological methodology to analize the women's ordination in specifi c contexts.
Research Interests:
The article presents the function of the Eucharistic Liturgy and its ritual as a missiological source. It does this by chronologically analysing how the ritual of the Liturgy has embraced the cultural heritage of the communities where the... more
The article presents the function of the Eucharistic Liturgy and its ritual as a missiological source. It does this by chronologically analysing how the ritual of the Liturgy has embraced the cultural heritage of the communities where the Gospel was preached. It highlights how the liturgical ritual incorporated and transformed Jewish ceremonies and elements of Greco-Roman culture. It also presents the process of incorporating the dogmatic formulae of the Ecumenical Synods into the liturgical text. The state of liturgical dynamism after the fall of Constantinople is also considered. The text ends with an assessment of contemporary developments in the liturgical life, concluding that Liturgy functions as a living memory, recording the central missionary moments in the life of the Church.
Research Interests:
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Research Interests:
The fall of the Communist regime marked a historical moment in Eastern Europe dividing the contemporary life of the society into two periods. Before and after now define life in a society with high expectations, which, at the same time... more
The fall of the Communist regime marked a historical moment in Eastern Europe dividing the contemporary life of the society into two periods. Before and after now define life in a society with high expectations, which, at the same time experiences the disappointment of unfulfilled promises and desires at a social, political and economic level. Hope and disappointment also character- ize the evolution of the ecumenical initiatives in post-Communist Romania. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the evolution of the ecumenical theology and the ecumenical involvement of the Romanian Orthodox Church (ROC) after the fall of Communism. On one hand, it will emphasize the ecu- menical openness of the Romanian Orthodox theology, and the theology of hope for Christian unity. On the other hand, it will touch on the current ecu- menical crisis and its consequences for the unity of the pan-orthodox commu- nion and for the ecumenical relations within the Romanian context.
Research Interests:
The paper will investigate the orthodox understanding of mission as “liturgy after the Liturgy” and its consequences for human life. The Eucharistic Liturgy understood as an experience of God where the community of saints reveal the... more
The paper will investigate the orthodox understanding of mission as “liturgy after the Liturgy” and its consequences for human life. The Eucharistic Liturgy understood as an experience of God where the community of saints reveal the absolute model of unity must be replicated in the human society as another type of liturgy, a liturgy of solidarity. The research will present how starting from the Eucharistic community we can reach the community in solidarity.
Research Interests:
The article presents the current missionary formation in the Romanian Orthodox Church. I evaluated the national curricula from the faculties of Orthodox Theology, following the missionary orientated topics in each subject, and I analyzed... more
The article presents the current missionary formation in the Romanian Orthodox Church. I evaluated the national curricula from the faculties of Orthodox Theology, following the missionary orientated topics in each subject, and I analyzed the curricula of Missiology taught in the faculties.The article underlines the relation between the content of the Missiology curriculum and the historical context in which the Orthodox Church in Romania developed, and it explains why there are both innovative and conservative themes within the curriculum. Finally, the specificities of the orthodox missionary formation in Romania are emphasized, such as the spiritual education, the central place of the liturgy, and the focus on internal mission.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the reception of the missio Dei paradigm in the Eastern Orthodox theology of mission. We will start with a short presentation of the genesis of the concept, and we will continue with its reception... more
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the reception of the missio Dei paradigm in the Eastern Orthodox theology of mission. We will start with a short presentation of the genesis of the concept, and we will continue with its reception in the Protestant and Roman Catholic theology, as well as in the Eastern Orthodox thinking. The paper attempts to demonstrate that the contemporary way to understand the missionary theology and practice is in accordance with the Orthodox traditional missionary theology. At the same time, the article emphasizes the fact that the reception of missio Dei is connected with the view that different ecclesiastical bodies have about church itself. The conclusion includes some practical remarks about ways of applying the concept in the contemporary ecumenical missiology and in the field of spiritual missiology.
Research Interests:
The article presents the characteristics of postmodernism and its consequences on issues such as identity, pluralism and communion. As an “unstable” philosophical trend, it interacts with the “stability” and authority of the orthodox... more
The article presents the characteristics of postmodernism and its consequences on issues such as identity, pluralism and communion. As an “unstable” philosophical trend, it interacts with the “stability” and authority of the orthodox teachings, thus resulting in an ideological conflict. The article offers some theological answers to the above-mentioned conflict, as well as to some major issues of the contemporary postmodern society.
Research Interests:
Historically, in Romania, the relations between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the evangelical communities have been characterized by tension and mutual distrust. That is why, unfortunately, there has been no official dialogue between... more
Historically, in Romania, the relations between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the evangelical communities have been characterized by tension and mutual distrust. That is why, unfortunately, there has been no official dialogue between the two communities so far. The present article investigates the theoretical possibility for such an ecumenical dialogue to occur by analysing the contributions of several evangelical theologians who published research studies on theological topics specific to Eastern orthodox theology. Their positions were analysed from the perspective of an inclusive theology which allowed us to identify some common themes for both traditions: the authority in interpreting the Scriptures, salvation as a process, and the Church understood through the application of a perichoretic model. All these convergent themes could constitute the basis for a future official ecumenical dialogue between the evangelicals and the orthodox from Romania.
Research Interests:
The fall of the Communist regime marked a historical moment in Eastern Europe dividing the contemporary life of the society into two periods. Before and after now define life in a society with high expectations, which, at the same time... more
The fall of the Communist regime marked a historical moment in Eastern Europe dividing the contemporary life of the society into two periods. Before and after now define life in a society with high expectations, which, at the same time experiences the disappointment of unfulfilled promises and desires at a social, political and economic level. Hope and disappointment also character- ize the evolution of the ecumenical initiatives in post-Communist Romania.
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the evolution of the ecumenical theology and the ecumenical involvement of the Romanian Orthodox Church (ROC) after the fall of Communism. On one hand, it will emphasize the ecu- menical openness of the Romanian Orthodox theology, and the theology of hope for Christian unity. On the other hand, it will touch on the current ecu- menical crisis and its consequences for the unity of the pan-orthodox commu- nion and for the ecumenical relations within the Romanian context.
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the evolution of the ecumenical theology and the ecumenical involvement of the Romanian Orthodox Church (ROC) after the fall of Communism. On one hand, it will emphasize the ecu- menical openness of the Romanian Orthodox theology, and the theology of hope for Christian unity. On the other hand, it will touch on the current ecu- menical crisis and its consequences for the unity of the pan-orthodox commu- nion and for the ecumenical relations within the Romanian context.
Research Interests:
The paper will investigate the orthodox understanding of mission as "liturgy after the Liturgy" and its consequences for human life. The Eucharistic Liturgy understood as an experience of God where the community of saints reveal the... more
The paper will investigate the orthodox understanding of mission as "liturgy after the Liturgy" and its consequences for human life. The Eucharistic Liturgy understood as an experience of God where the community of saints reveal the absolute model of unity must be replicated in the human society as another type of liturgy, a liturgy of solidarity. The research will present how starting from the Eucharistic community we can reach the community in solidarity. Keywords liturgy-witness-solidarity-Eucharist-philanthropy-diaspora Liturgy (gr. λειτουργία, leitourghia = common service of the people) is commonly used today to define the Eucharistic service, referring both to the actual rituals and forms that are subject to changes in time, and to its unchanging, eternal essence. At its origin, the notion referred not only to the ensemble of rituals, gestures and symbols performed in Church, but to any kind of service done for a community. (Bria 1994:237) Both meanings of the word will be used over the course of this paper, the Eucharistic Liturgy and the liturgy understood as the act of serving the community and its needs. The phrase "liturgy after Liturgy" is very well known in the orthodox space, as well as in the ecumenical missionary environment. Thus, a concept that
Research Interests:
The article presents the characteristics of postmodernism and its consequences on issues such as identity, pluralism and communion. As an "unstable" philosophical trend, it interacts with the "stability" and authority of the orthodox... more
The article presents the characteristics of postmodernism and its consequences on issues such as identity, pluralism and communion. As an "unstable" philosophical trend, it interacts with the "stability" and authority of the orthodox teachings, thus resulting in an ideological conflict. The article offers some theological answers to the above-mentioned conflict, as well as to some major issues of the contemporary postmodern society.
Research Interests:
The article presents the current missionary formation in the Romanian Orthodox Church. I evaluated the national curricula from the faculties of Orthodox Theology, following the missionary orientated topics in each subject, and I analyzed... more
The article presents the current missionary formation in the Romanian Orthodox Church. I evaluated the national curricula from the faculties of Orthodox Theology, following the missionary orientated topics in each subject, and I analyzed the curricula of Missiology taught in the faculties.The article underlines the relation between the content of the Missiology curriculum and the historical context in which the Orthodox Church in Romania developed, and it explains why there are both innovative and conservative themes within the curriculum. Finally, the specificities of the orthodox missionary formation in Romania are emphasized, such as the spiritual education, the central place of the liturgy, and the focus on internal mission.
Research Interests:
The paper proposes a theological answer to the issue of the women's ordination in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Its main goal is to present the current level of discussions on the topic and to ofer an antropological approach to the... more
The paper proposes a theological answer to the issue of the women's ordination in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Its main goal is to present the current level of discussions on the topic and to ofer an antropological approach to the ordained priesthood. Therefore the paper presents a short overview of the history of the women's ordination , of the biblical and theological arguments against it, and of the critiques of the theological argumentation against the ordination of women. It suggest the introduction of the archetypal and ontological theory on the theme and proposes a phenom-enological methodology to analize the women's ordination in specifi c contexts.
Research Interests:
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the reception of the missio Dei paradigm in the Eastern Orthodox theology of mission. We will start with a short presentation of the genesis of the concept, and we will continue with its reception... more
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the reception of the missio Dei paradigm in the Eastern Orthodox theology of mission. We will start with a short presentation of the genesis of the concept, and we will continue with its reception in the Protestant and Roman Catholic theology, as well as in the Eastern Orthodox thinking. The paper attempts to demonstrate that the contemporary way to understand the missionary theology and practice is in accordance with the Orthodox traditional missionary theology. At the same time, the article emphasizes the fact that the reception of missio Dei is connected with the view that different ecclesiastical bodies have about church itself. The conclusion includes some practical remarks about ways of applying the concept in the contemporary ecumenical missiology and in the field of spiritual missiology. Keywords: missio Dei, ecumenical missiology, Eastern Orthodox missiology, indigenization of the gospel, spiritual missiology, mission from the margins, theosis.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
A b s t r a c t. The purpose of this paper is to examine the question of the ecclesiastical recognition of the other Christian communities in the context of nowadays discussions within the Orthodox communities, after the Holy and Great... more
A b s t r a c t. The purpose of this paper is to examine the question of the ecclesiastical recognition of the other Christian communities in the context of nowadays discussions within the Orthodox communities, after the Holy and Great Council in Crete (2016). We will look closely at the relation between the Church unity and the unity of faith, as understood by the Orthodox Churches, as well as at the meaning of the " the historical name of other non-Orthodox Christian Churches " with which the Orthodox Church is not in communion, stated by the document Relations of the Orthodox Church with the rest of the Christian world (ROCC). In the end, we will argue that ROCC if understood properly, could constitue the basis for the ecumenical dialogue on Orthodox.