Ștefan Buchiu

On the 30th anniversary of Stăniloae's death, Buchiu underscored the ongoing relevance of his work for today's theological discourse and Orhtodox practice.

Ștefan Buchiu (born March 27, 1953) is a Romanian Orthodox cleric and theologian known for his work in Orthodox dogmatic theology.

He is an emeritus professor at the University of Bucharest's Faculty of Orthodox Theology and currently serves as an Honorary Diocesan Vicar at the Archdiocese of Bucharest within the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Ștefan Buchiu began his theological studies in 1968 at the Theological Seminary in Craiova, graduating in 1973.

He continued his education at the University Theological Institute in Bucharest from 1973 to 1977, where he distinguished himself academically, graduating as valedictorian.

His pursuit of advanced theological studies led him to undertake doctoral research at the same institution from 1977 to 1980, with further studies at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute, University of Geneva, Switzerland, during 1983–1984.

In 1990, Ștefan Buchiu began his tenure at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology at the University of Bucharest, initially serving as a university assistant.

His role in these projects was acknowledged with the Diploma of Honour of Saint Andrew the Apostle during the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Romanian Orthodox Church's elevation to Patriarchate status.

During his tenure, Fr. Ștefan Buchiu actively engaged in fostering international collaborations, expanding faculty collaborations with Orthodox theological institutions globally.

His efforts were directed towards facilitating academic dialogues, exchanges, and cooperative projects, contributing to a more interconnected Orthodox academic community.

Buchiu was involved in establishing partnerships with various Orthodox theological academies and universities around the world, including Kyiv, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Athens, Balamand, and Fribourg.

These collaborations aimed to enhance academic dialogue and support unity within the global Orthodox theological education network.

In 1993, Buchiu defended his doctoral thesis, titled ''Incarnation and Unity.

The Restoration of the Cosmos in Jesus Christ'' at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Bucharest.

This work was supervised by Fr. Prof. Dumitru Popescu and is noted for contributing to the field of Orthodox Dogmatic Theology.

Throughout the years, he progressed through academic positions, from lecturer to associate professor, and was appointed as a university professor and doctoral advisor in Orthodox Dogmatic Theology in 2007.

During his professorship, he worked on enhancing the theological curriculum to offer a comprehensive education in Orthodox studies.

He served as the dean of this faculty from 2008 to 2018.

His academic work draws extensively on the theological insights of the prominent Romanian theologian Father Dumitru Stăniloae, focusing on the comprehension and communication of Orthodox theology.

Born in Pitești, Argeș County, Ștefan Buchiu was raised in a family deeply ingrained in the Orthodox faith, being the son of priest Piru Buchiu and presbytera Viorica Buchiu.

The family environment emphasized religious service, with Ștefan being the youngest of five children, four of whom pursued clerical careers.

From 2008 to 2018, Buchiu served as the Dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, and from 2009 to 2013, he also took on the role of Director of the Doctoral School.

Similar to graduate programs in the US, this school oversees the research and studies of Ph.D. students.

Under his direction, a collaboration was initiated with Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in the US, starting in 2013.

This partnership included student and faculty exchanges, alongside joint dialogues and publications, and was aimed at contributing to theological education and fostering understanding between Orthodox communities in Romania and the United States.

In 2015, the 'Patriarch Justinian' Faculty of Orthodox Theology added a new level to its building, increasing the number of classrooms and advancing the restoration of its century-old building.

These developments, which occurred during Fr. Prof. Buchiu's tenure as dean, aimed to improve the faculty's infrastructure.

For example, in 2015, the winners were recognized by the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, highlighting Buchiu's role in connecting Staniloae's teachings with contemporary theological scholarship.

Prof. Buchiu's anthology, Father Dumitru Stăniloae, the Theologian of Divine Love gathers 20 articles that delve into Stăniloae's significant theological contributions.

This collection not only highlights Buchiu's engagement with Stăniloae's theology but also its application to modern Christian life, promoting an experiential faith deeply rooted in the Holy Tradition of the Orthodox church.

In 2017, under the guidance of Patriarch Daniel of Romania and with significant contributions from Buchiu, the "Patriarch Justinian" Faculty of Orthodox Theology at the University of Bucharest initiated an educational extension in Rome, Italy.

This initiative was designed to meet the interest of the Romanian diaspora in pursuing Orthodox theological studies in their native language.

Buchiu was instrumental in establishing this extension, which offers a curriculum similar to its parent institution in Bucharest, thereby facilitating theological education for Romanian Orthodox students living abroad.

Father Ștefan Buchiu has authored more than 100 academic studies and articles in the field of Orthodox theology, engaging in theological discourse and exploring complex theological concepts.

Buchiu's theological work is significantly shaped by the teachings of Dumitru Stăniloae, a distinguished figure in Romanian Orthodox theology.

As one who has closely studied under Stăniloae, Buchiu has extensively engaged with and built upon his mentor's theological concepts, underscoring their importance for both the Romanian Orthodox tradition and the broader Christian community.

In discussions on theological perspectives, Buchiu has highlighted Stăniloae's shift from theoretical academic study to a theology that is more experiential and personal.

This approach emphasizes a direct and personal encounter with Christ, aiming to foster a living faith within the community of the Church.

Father Ștefan Buchiu contributed to honoring Father Dumitru Stăniloae's legacy through the "Rev. Academician Dumitru Staniloae" Theology Contest.

This annual contest, targeting theological students, promotes the study of Stăniloae's theological works, encouraging a new generation to explore his profound contributions to Orthodox theology.