Academic theology is called upon to unite intellectual research with liturgical and spiritual experience, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said on Monday in a message delivered at the International Symposium on Orthodox Missiology, held at the 'Justinian the Patriarch' Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest.

'A confessional and missionary theology is possible only through an experience of spiritual and ecclesial life, in which man encounters God through prayer and participation in the sanctifying life of the Church. Academic theology is called upon to take this aspect into account and cultivate discernment, or the ability to distinguish between the Spirit of Christ and the spirit of the world. Without being anchored in the life of the Church, academic theology risks becoming secularized and losing sight of its very purpose: to train servants of the Church, who must not only know the teachings of the faith, but also live them and put them into practice in their own lives, thus calling others to conversion through word and deed,' the Patriarch said.

The BOR Primate went on to remark that 'in a society undergoing a visible process of secularization, in which the emphasis on individualism, self-sufficiency and self-assertion is becoming increasingly evident, academic theology is called upon to unite intellectual research with liturgical and spiritual experience.'

'Only in this way can theology be not merely theology for the classroom, but theology for life and salvation, understood as the union of mortal man with Christ, who lives eternally (cf. John 11:25),' the Patriarch said.

Patriarch Daniel recalled that the establishment of Missiology studies within the Faculty of Orthodox Theology 100 years ago was intended to turn academic theology into an applied theology that is not detached from the life of the Church, but integrated into it - a living and confessional theology.

'Today, just as 100 years ago, theological education is called upon to find new and dynamic forms of expression through which to support the mission of providing intellectual and spiritual formation to new generations. It is therefore increasingly evident that there is a need to reaffirm the link between theology and spirituality, between faith and confession, and between Christian life and mission. In this regard, students of theology faculties are encouraged to harmoniously combine scientific research with the practical dimension of their future ministry, which involves their participation in projects for spiritual formation, educational and catechetical programmes, social and charitable projects, and volunteer work,' the Patriarch also said.

He added that the Church is thus called upon to constantly affirm an attitude of moral responsibility for the way in which human dignity is defended and promoted, regardless of a person's circumstances.

'From this perspective, true theology, which expresses the missionary consciousness of the Church, has a duty to teach students to unite knowledge with solidarity, thought with prayer, and faith with acts of merciful love. In conclusion, we pray to God to bless all the organizers and participants in this symposium dedicated to the Christian mission,' Patriarch Daniel said in the conclusion of his message. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Popescu; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)