With the blessing of His Eminence Dr. Irineu, Archbishop of Craiova and Metropolitan of Oltenia, on the evening of July 9, 2020, took place the launch of the book of Dr. Gabriel Sorescu, entitled „Orthodox Church and religious movements” and published by the Publishing House „Mitropolia Olteniei”. The event took place in the generous courtyard of the County Library „Alexandru and Aristia Aman”, Craiova, and was moderated by Fr. Senior Lecturer PhD Ioniță Apostolache.
In the opening, Fr. Apostolache reminded that the volume launched by Fr. Gabriel Sorescu represents the research work within the Doctoral School „St. Nicodim” of the University of Craiova, completed as a doctoral student in the period 2015-2019. He also pointed out that this extensive study is part of the Romanian missionary research in recent years, so necessary for the mission of the Orthodox Church.
The delegate of His Eminence Irineu was Fr. Grigorie Vulcănescu, as cultural counselor of the Archdiocese of Craiova. His Holiness sent the message of congratulation and blessing for the realization of this event, but also for the work submitted by the author. Later, Fr. Vulcănescu invoked the quality of missionary priest of Fr. Sorescu, who succeeded through his research to translate into words and in writing what he has been practicing for many years in the Parish of St. Nicholas-Brândușa in Craiova.
Father Gabriel Sorescu, as the author of the launched volume, wanted to thank God for the power to complete this research, but also to all those who supported him, remembering the family of his holiness, the coordinator of the work, Archdeacon Senior Lecturer PhD Gelu Călina, and Metropolitan Irineu, who guided him to study Missiology at doctoral level. Last but not least, he thanked Mr. Lucian Dindirică, the director of the Library, but also those who participated in this book launch.
The event ended with the answers from Fr. Sorescu to some questions from the public. In the end, those who wished had the opportunity to take possession of the volume with an autograph from the author.
Father Gabriel Sorescu holds a PhD in Theology (2019) and is a graduate of the Faculty of Theology, University of Craiova (1999). He is the author of the book „Apologetics of Love” (1999), co-author of „The Mission of the Church among Youth” (2007), and author of over 50 studies and articles published in journals, volumes of scientific conferences and periodicals. Since 2003, he has been a parish priest at the „St. Nicholas-Brândușa” parish in Craiova. Permanently concerned with the missionary aspects of the clerical ministry, Father Gabriel Sorescu has been involved for over 18 years in youth pastoral activities, currently being a counselor of the Sector of Education, Youth and Catechesis Activities of the Archdiocese of Craiova.