Tuesday, 30 June 2015, the graduates of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of “Patriarch Justinian” swore in the oath of faith. The ceremony took place in the Metropolitan Cathedral of “Saint Spiridon” – the New, patriarchal chapel, and it was preceded by the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Varlaam Ploiesteanul, Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch. The hierarch, delegated by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, delivered a sermon for the students – Trinitas TV informs.
“Dear graduates, men and women, why do I say that this fragment of the Gospel according to Matthew is suitable to the festive impressive time that you are living today? It is because you are called to join the people of the Church from other generations, before you, who have joined the Church for twenty centuries so far, beginning with the Saints Andrew and Filip the Apostles, who preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, in Dobrudgea for the first time; the priests, deacons and monks, and tens and hundreds martyrs during the period of persecutions, the great missionaries of the mediaeval period, new martyrs of the time of the confessional fights of Transylvania, as well as the tens of thousands of Christians who did confess their saving Orthodox faith in the communist prisons. You are invited today to join them and promise right of your own will that you will make every effort to continue both their sowing work and the harvesting as well”, His Grace Varlaam Ploiesteanul said.
The liturgy was followed by the Te Deum service. Then, over 200 graduates of the branches of pastoral theology, didactical theology, social assistance and sacred art swore in the oath of faith to the Romanian Orthodox Church.
Then, the dean saluted the presence of Prof. Dr. Mircea Dumitru, Rector of the University of Bucharest who conveyed a congratulatory and encouraging message to the young graduates. The professors of the Faculty, the graduates’ parents and their friends attended the ceremony.
To end with, they all took a photograph in front of the Cathedral where they attended the religious services while they were students.
