Acta Universitatis Danubius. Relationes Internationales, Vol 2, No 1 (2009)

Abstract

Filaret Scriban was an outstanding personality of the 19th century Moldova. Born in Burdujeni, Suceava, in 1811, he devoted his entire life to the Church and to his country. After a rough childhood, he became a student at the Vasilian School and at Academia Mihăileană in Iaşi. When he was still a student, he started his teaching career, which would be a long and successful one. He accomplished his education in Russia, where he also became a monk, raised to the rank of archimandrite two years later. As a rector and teacher at the Socola Seminary, he reorganized
theological education in Moldova, by increasing the number of classes, by introducing new school subjects and by writing textbooks for church schools and seminaries. He wrote many books, which were either published or remained in manuscripts and he made translations from Russian and French. He was also a mentor who encouraged young capable men to accomplish their education abroad. He was a professor at the Faculty of Theology in Iaşi, as well. Not only did Filaret Scriban serve the Church, but he also supported the Union of the Romanian Provinces and he was elected deputy in the Ad-hoc Council, bringing his contribution to the church reform. A few years later, he was elected Iaşi
senator. Filaret Scriban joined his brother, Neofit, in the fight for canonicity. It is important to mention his role of church founder, as Filaret Scriban was one of the few bishops who founded a church in his native village while being a seminary rector. His church in Burdujeni is the place where he was buried at his death, in 1873. Filaret Scriban was an active scholar and patriot, who had a say in strengthening the relationship between the Moldavian and the Russian Orthodox Church. He served
his country and the Church with devotion and faith.