Archbishop Teofil Herineanu- A Pastoral Mission of Sacrifice during Persecution
Cristian-Mihai Bumb
Abstract. Bishop Teofil Herineanu (who later became archbishop), belongs to the category of Transylvanian personalities who militated for the interests of Romanians in quite turbulent times, and the moment of starting his ecclesiastical activity, the political situation was unfavorable, taking place at time in which there were significant changes in all respects for the Church and the Nation; namely the second half of the twentieth century, a period that culminated with the establishment of communism. Being a bishop in those troubled years in which the Christian faith was long challenged by the new leadership of the state, and yet to stand upright, animating and comforting a sad and troubled people was not an easy mission for Herineanu. Bishop Teofil, “the man of prayer and compassion” was put in front of such trials, and he succeeded to remain in the memory of the faithful of Cluj as a reliable support. After a brief biography of this ecclesiastical personality, the aspects related to philanthropy will be highlighted, as well as the missionary activity carried aut by Teofil Herineanu both as bishop of Roman and Huși, and as archbishop
of Vad, Feleac and Cluj. Converting to orthodoxy in the context of the changes that took place in 1948, throughout his pastorate as a bishop of
Roman and Huși, as well as his pastorate as archbishop of Vad, Feleac and Cluj, Teofil Herineanu was noted for his many acts of philanthropy towards the poor, sick and helpless. He also helped the families of priests in communist prisons and to windows and orphans who asked for his support.
Keywords: Orthodox Church, archive, Bishop, document, act, priest, canonical, Diocese, Archbishop