Validarea eclezială a tăriei mărturisirii lui Hristos în vremuri de prigoană. O analiză canonică a demersului Sfântului Sinod al Bisericii Ortodoxe Române de canonizare a mărturisitorilor din perioada comunistă
The Church’s Validation of the Strength of Christ’s Witness in Times of Persecution: A Canonical Analysis of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church’s Initiative to Canonize the Martyrs of the Communist Era

Summary/Abstract: The present study aims to offer an in-depth analysis of the canonization of the confessors from the communist period, as enacted by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church during its working session held on July 11-12, 2024. This undertaking represents not only a solemn act of recognition of the sacrifice and testimony of these faithful, but also a reaffirmation of the Church’s spiritual identity in a historically challenging context. The validation of the confession of faith during times of persecution carries a profoundly canonical, theological, and pastoral character, as it brings to the forefront the fidelity to Christ and the Church’s capacity to recognize and venerate the holiness that springs forth from suffering endured in witness. Viewed in this light, the canonization of these confessors is not a mere reactivation of historical events, but a spiritual act through which the Church strengthens communal consciousness, reaffirms the dignity of Orthodox confession, and offers the faithful authentic models of Gospel-centered living. Therefore, the present research endeavor bears a dual significance: historical – in its aim to reconstruct the truth about the sufferings endured by the Church under communism; and theological – in its goal to deepen the meaning of canonization as an ecclesial act.

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