The “Babeş-Bolyai” University, in cooperation with the Greek-Catholic Romanian Eparchy United with Rome of Cluj-Gherla,with the Cluj, Maramures and Salaj Orthodox Metropolitan See and with the AugustinianumPatristic Institute of Rome (Italy), with the support of the State Secretary for Cults and of the Romanian Embassy to the Holy See and the Maltese Sovereign Military Order, invites those interested in the study of patristic texts (general public and specialists of the field) to a series of lectures and debates on the 16thand 17thof October 2014, at the Cluj University.
The cycle of conferences based on the theme „St. Dyonisius the Areopagite. Origins, context, reception„ will take place in the Aula Magna, Str. M. Kogălniceanu, no. 1 (Thursday, October 16, between 09.00-13.00 hrs.) and in the „King Ferdinand” Aula of the Faculty of History and Philosophy, Str. Napoca, no. 11 (Thursday, October 16, between 15.00-19.30 hrs. and Friday, October 17, between 09.00-13.00 hrs.).
The event, which will bring to the present ancient thoughts, of almost two thousand years, in order to discover their beauty and spiritual brilliance, will develop in the presence of guests of honor and, at the same time, of lecturers and speakers, in the “new AGORA” which will come to life in the buildings of the Cluj University, like: High Hierarchs of the Orthodox and Greek-Catholic churches, His Eminence Dr. Andrei Andreicuţ, the Metropolitan Bishop of Cluj, Maramureş and Sălaj, together with His Grace dr. Florentin Crihălmeanu, Diocesan Bishop of Cluj-Gherla Eparchy; a representative of the Romanian diplomacy, His Excellency dr. Bogdan Tătaru-Cazaban, the Romanian Ambassador to the Holy See and the Maltese Sovereign Military Order, as well as distinguished personalities of the university environment: academician prof. Ioan-Aurel Pop, Ph.D., chancellor of the “Babeş-Bolyai” University; ass. Prof. Ovidiu Augustin Ghitta, Ph.D., dean of the faculty of History and Philosophy of the “Babeş-Bolyai” University; father ass. prof. Cristian Barta, Ph.D., dean of the Faculty of Greek-Catholic Theology of the “Babeş-Bolyai” University; father prof. Vasile Stanciu, Ph.D., dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of the “Babeş-Bolyai” University; prof. Corin Braga, Ph.D., dean of the Faculty of Letters of the “Babeş-Bolyai” University; prof. John M. Rist, Ph.D., of the Augustinianum Patristic Institute of Rome; father prof. Philipp G. Renczes SJ, Ph.D., of the GregorianaPontifical University of Rome; and prof. Sever J. Voicu, Ph.D., of the Augustinianum Patristic Institute of Rome.
This series of lectures and debates aim to create a space of reflection on philosophical and theological-patristic themes, with an intercultural, multidisciplinary and multiconfessional character
„‘Who does not know that a dwarf sitting on the back of a giant has a wider horizon and sees farther than the giant himself?’, wrote Jean Daillè in 1632, concluding that ‘the greatest part of the dwarf’s knowledge is owed to the giant’.
“May that the reflection on the Christian thinking of the first centuries potentiates in us the impression of feeling like some dwarves carried by a giant”, prompted Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, prefect emeritus of the Congregation of Eastern Churches, inducement which may also be addressed to the participants in the program dedicated to the thinking of the Church Fathers, particularly to St. Dyonisius the Areopagite, philosopher born in Athens who became, after year 51, apprentice of St. Apostle Paul.
