The Patriarchs of Romania
Patriarch Nicodim Munteanu
As Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, he shepherded during particularly difficult times—times of economic crisis and war—and was often under pressure from political forces both within the country and abroad. Nevertheless, his patriotism was not one of convenience, but that of an authentic Romanian.
Life and Work
He was born on December 6, 1864, in Pipirig, Neamț County, into a family of devout people. At baptism, he was given the name Nicolae. After finishing primary school in his native village, he studied at the “Veniamin” Seminary in Iași (1882–1890) and then at the Theological Academy in Kiev (1890–1895). From a young age, he entered monastic life as a brother at Pocrov Hermitage. Later, he was tonsured a monk with the name Nicodim at Neamț Monastery (1894). He was ordained a hierodeacon in 1894 and then a hieromonk in 1896, in Iași.
Due to his exceptional education, he served as preacher of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iași (1895), administrative vicar of the Metropolis of Moldavia (1898–1902), administrative vicar of the Diocese of the Lower Danube (1902–1909), and director of the “Saint Andrew” Seminary in Galați (1908–1909). He was elected Auxiliary Bishop of the Metropolis of Moldavia, with the title “Băcăuanul” (1909), and later Diocesan Bishop of Huși (1912–1923). On December 31, 1923, stepping down from the episcopal see of Huși, he became abbot of Neamț Monastery (1924–1935). In 1935, he was elected Metropolitan of Moldavia. On June 30, 1939, he was elected Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church. He passed away on February 27, 1948, and was buried in the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest.
During his time as Metropolitan of Moldavia, the printing of theological books increased significantly, through the restoration of the printing press at Neamț Monastery. As Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, he participated in the Great Synod of Moscow (1946) as head of the Romanian Church delegation. He was one of the most prominent translators of the Bible. His work is monumental, including original writings, adaptations, and translations. For his outstanding scholarly activity, he was awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa by the Faculty of Theology in Cernăuți. On October 15, 1918, he was elected an honorary member of the Romanian Academy.
Works
From his works, one could mention, besides his translations, also: Cuvântări liturgice (Bucharest, 1906); Călăuza creștinului la biserică sau cum se cuvine să stea creștinul în biserică la slujba Sfintei Liturghii(Bucharest, 1907); Ortodoxia și creștinismul apusean, prelucrare după A.P. Lopuhin și alții (Bucharest, 1912); Cuvântări liturgice. Dumnezeu și dreptatea Lui. Mâna de Dumnezeu în lumea văzuta. Scurtă explicare a Sfintei Liturghii și pomenirea morților. Originale și prelucrări (Neamț, 1933); Cuvântări, pastorale și îndemnuri (Neamț, 1940).
Eulogy
“As Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, he shepherded during particularly difficult times—times of economic crisis and war—and was often under pressure from political forces both within the country and from abroad. Nevertheless, his patriotism was not one of convenience, but that of an authentic Romanian. Patriarch Nicodim Munteanu was a man deeply connected to the history of his people and, at the same time, a man who was fully aware of the importance and mission of the Church in the life of the Romanian people. And when he acted as a diplomat, he did so with dignity. He stood up to political power when the present and future of the country were at stake; he opposed foreign political forces in defense of the dignity of the Church and the Romanian nation. Patriarch Nicodim remains in the history of the Church and of the Romanian people as a towering figure—marked by resolute integrity, wise dignity, and a missionary conscience among a people that was Christianized at the very time of its formation in history.”
His Beatitude Daniel,
Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
