International Symposium at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, UAV

The “Ilarion V. Felea” Faculty of Orthodox Theology of “Aurel Vlaicu” University of Arad hosted, on May 22–23, the International Symposium “The Nicene Creed and the Importance of Its Confession in Today's World. Models of Confessors: Saints Ilarion Felea and Dumitru Stăniloae.”

The event brought together professors from the main academic centers in Romania—Bucharest, Iași, Sibiu, Timișoara, Târgoviște—as well as researchers and scholars from Switzerland, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, and Canada.

The symposium marked the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of the Nicene Creed and the canonization of new Romanian saints, aligning with the celebration of the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate.

The official opening of the event was attended by: His Eminence Archbishop Dr. Timotei Seviciu, His Grace Auxiliary Bishop Dr. Emilian Crișanul, Associate Professor Dr. Cristina Nicolaescu – Vice-Rector of “Aurel Vlaicu” University of Arad, Sergiu Bâlcea – Vice President of the Arad County Council, and Rev. Professor Dr. Cristinel Ioja – Dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Arad.

“The Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Arad has the mission of theologically celebrating the Nicene Creed, as an expression of the ecclesial-liturgical experience of the Church. The Nicene Creed has deep biblical and patristic roots and represents the expression of the unity of the Church’s faith,” stated Professor Dr. Cristinel Ioja, Dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of UAV, in his address.

The Dean also thanked the guests and participants for their support, highlighting the importance of the participation of international theologians, as well as representatives of the Roman Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran Churches, as a common witness of faith in an increasingly secularized world.

During the plenary session of the symposium, two theological presentations were delivered: one by Prof. Dr. Martin Illert from the “Martin Luther” University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany, and associate professor at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Churches in Geneva; and another by Rev. Dr. Michel van Parys from the Benedictine Monastery of Chevetogne, Belgium, and the Greek College in Rome, Italy.

The event proved to be a moment of profound theological reflection and dialogue, reaffirming the vocation of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Arad as a space of confession, communion, and academic excellence.