{"id":293838,"date":"2020-10-09T00:27:56","date_gmt":"2020-10-08T21:27:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=293838"},"modified":"2020-10-09T00:27:56","modified_gmt":"2020-10-08T21:27:56","slug":"second-youth-new-choices-fashion-designer-florin-dobre-admitted-to-bucharests-theology-faculty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arhiva.basilica.ro\/en\/second-youth-new-choices-fashion-designer-florin-dobre-admitted-to-bucharests-theology-faculty\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cSecond youth, new choices\u201d: Fashion designer Florin Dobre admitted to Bucharest’s Theology Faculty"},"content":{"rendered":"

Florin Dobre, the only Romanian fashion designer with collections featured in\u00a0Vogue<\/a><\/em>\u00a0and GQ<\/em> magazines, announced<\/a> he was admitted to\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cPatriarch Justinian\u201d Faculty of<\/strong> Theology in Bucharest.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was a sudden thought to become a Theology student. He disclosed it to his spiritual father, who gave him the blessing to go to the admission exam even though he was not quite prepared.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most important preparedness for it was my constant participation in the Divine Liturgy on every Sunday and every feast,\u201d Florin Dobre says.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am starting a new journey. In five years I can become a priest,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Now, as he has turned 45, he feels he has stepped into the second part of his life. \u201cServing God is a wonderful thing. I did not feel like that in the first part of my life, so I rejoice that at least now I can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

An old call<\/h3>\n

After being admitted, the designer wrote on Facebook: \u201cSecond youth, new choices…\u201d<\/p>\n

When he was younger and on top of his career, he was not so close to the Church. But one day he led a few French colleagues from the world of fashion to Stavropoleos Monastery.<\/p>\n

Trying to enter the church, he felt a huge invisible force holding him back against his will. So he could not step inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was the only church in Bucharest where I would enter a few times a year,\u201d he remembers. \u201cBut at that moment I could not do it.\u201d He understood that his life was not unfolding according to God\u2019s will.<\/p>\n

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In front of Stavropoleos Monastery from Bucharest\u2019s Old Town, where the story of his return in the Church started. Photo: Facebook \/ Florin Dobre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Faith and family<\/h3>\n

More signs for him followed \u2013 also dreams, happenings, spiritual fights. In the meantime, those around him would take the monastic vow or return in the Church. Others became priests.<\/p>\n

When he did the same and returned in the Church, he felt a lot of peace. The change brought about the need for a family.<\/p>\n

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With his wife Cristina. Photo: Facebook \/ Florin Dobre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWhen I was single, I had enough time for long prayers. But I did not have that feeling of fulfilment that only family can give you. We are not complete without children,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

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With his wife and Teodor, his son. Photo: Facebook \/ Florin Dobre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cAfter Teodor was born, I realized how changed I was. You get peace and calmness, while the child gives you enough energy and patience to be able to care for it,\u201d explains Florin Dobre. He adds:<\/p>\n

\u201cAlong with setting up our own family, we learn to see and appreciate mothers. They show us what it means to be crucified in a world which does not promote the maternal woman, which it replaces with the so-called success woman, who is everything else than a mother: the woman-driver, the woman-mechanic and so on.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When he returned to a life in the Church, those around him separated in supporters and opponents.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt took them quite some time to become convinced that I had not become a worse, but a better person. If there is peace in the soul, this becomes visible. Slowly, they started making peace with themselves \u2013 and some of them even with me!\u201d recounts the designer.<\/p>\n

There are still some who laugh at him, but Florin Dobre thinks this actually helps him on his spiritual journey. \u201cTheir attitude is different when we meet face to face and realize how well we get along, even though we hold on opposing values,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of (c) Remus Nicolaescu (via Facebook \/ Florin Dobre)<\/p>\n

See also:<\/p>\n