Conon Arămescu-Donici
Encyclopedia
Conon Arămescu-Donici was Metropolitan-Primate
of the Romanian Orthodox Church
between 1912 and 1918. In conflict with the authorities of modern Romania
, he was forced to resign due to his collaboration
with German
occupation troops during World War I
.
, Neamţ County
(the state of Moldavia
), into a family of priests, Arămescu-Donici studied at the Târgu Neamţ
and Socola Seminaries, then at the University of Iaşi, graduating in Literature in 1877. He was tonsured a monk at Neamţ Monastery
and later became a hierodeacon
at Socola Monastery
. He was a teacher at National School of Iaşi
, and then at Normal School, between 1877 and 1880. Between 1880 and 1885, he studied Theology at Czernowitz Francis-Joseph University
, in Austria-Hungary
, gaining recognition as Doctor of Divinity
.
Arămescu-Donici was elected on February 8, 1902 to be the Bishop of Huşi (enthroned March 3, 1902). On February 14, 1912, he was elected by the Romanian Synod to the office of Metropolitan-Primate, being enthroned five days later, on February 19.
Metropolitan Conon's most problematic stances were expressed during World War I, a period of political division. In 1916, Romania joined the Entente
, but rapidly lost the Battle of Bucharest
to the Central Powers
: their armies occupied the city and forced the government to move the capital to Iaşi. Conon, who stayed behind in occupied Bucharest, was persuaded by the German authorities to sign a letter to the soldiers and the Orthodox faithful in Moldavia, urging them to give up the fight against Germany. The letter, written by author Gala Galaction
at the request of collaborationist politician Virgil Arion, was later modified by the German authorities without Galaction's consent, and dropped as airborne leaflet propaganda
over the Romanian trenches.
After the war, accused of betrayal, Conon resigned on January 1, 1919, being replaced by Miron Cristea
.
Patriarch of All Romania
The Patriarch of All Romania is the title of the head of the Romanian Orthodox Church. As of September 12, 2007, the chair is occupied by Daniel Ciobotea.-Metropolitans of Ungro-Wallachia:* Maxim * Macarie II * Ilarion II...
of the Romanian Orthodox Church
Romanian Orthodox Church
The Romanian Orthodox Church is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church. It is in full communion with other Eastern Orthodox churches, and is ranked seventh in order of precedence. The Primate of the church has the title of Patriarch...
between 1912 and 1918. In conflict with the authorities of modern Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, he was forced to resign due to his collaboration
Collaborationism
Collaborationism is cooperation with enemy forces against one's country. Legally, it may be considered as a form of treason. Collaborationism may be associated with criminal deeds in the service of the occupying power, which may include complicity with the occupying power in murder, persecutions,...
with German
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
occupation troops during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Biography
Born in Urzici-ArămeştiBahna
Bahna is a commune in Neamţ County, Romania. It is composed of eight villages: Arămeşti, Bahna, Băhnişoara, Broşteni, Izvoare, Liliac, Ţuţcanii din Deal and Ţuţcanii din Vale....
, Neamţ County
Neamt County
Neamț is a county of Romania, in the historic region of Moldavia, with the county seat at Piatra Neamț. It has three communes, Bicaz-Chei, Bicazu Ardelean and Dămuc in Transylvania.-Demographics:...
(the state of Moldavia
Moldavia
Moldavia is a geographic and historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester river...
), into a family of priests, Arămescu-Donici studied at the Târgu Neamţ
Târgu Neamt
Târgu Neamţ is a town in Neamţ County, Romania, on the Neamţ River. It had, , a population of 20,496. Three villages are administered by the town: Blebea, Humuleşti and Humuleştii Noi.- History :...
and Socola Seminaries, then at the University of Iaşi, graduating in Literature in 1877. He was tonsured a monk at Neamţ Monastery
Neamt Monastery
The Neamţ Monastery is a Romanian Orthodox religious settlement, one of the oldest and most important of its kind in Romania. It was built in 14th century, and it is an example of medieval Moldavian architecture...
and later became a hierodeacon
Hierodeacon
A Hierodeacon , sometimes translated "deacon-monk", in Eastern Orthodox Christianity is a monk who has been ordained a deacon...
at Socola Monastery
Socola Monastery
Socola Monastery or Schimbarea la Faţă was a Romanian Orthodox establishment located in the eponymous quarter of southern Iaşi, Romania. Founded during Moldavia's existence as a state, it was erected and dedicated by Moldavian Prince Alexandru Lăpuşneanu in 1562, and originally functioned as nunnery...
. He was a teacher at National School of Iaşi
Iasi
Iași is the second most populous city and a municipality in Romania. Located in the historical Moldavia region, Iași has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Romanian social, cultural, academic and artistic life...
, and then at Normal School, between 1877 and 1880. Between 1880 and 1885, he studied Theology at Czernowitz Francis-Joseph University
Chernivtsi University
The Chernivtsi National University is the leading Ukrainian institution for higher education in northern Bukovina, in Chernivtsi, a city in southwest Ukraine....
, in Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
, gaining recognition as Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
.
Arămescu-Donici was elected on February 8, 1902 to be the Bishop of Huşi (enthroned March 3, 1902). On February 14, 1912, he was elected by the Romanian Synod to the office of Metropolitan-Primate, being enthroned five days later, on February 19.
Metropolitan Conon's most problematic stances were expressed during World War I, a period of political division. In 1916, Romania joined the Entente
Allies of World War I
The Entente Powers were the countries at war with the Central Powers during World War I. The members of the Triple Entente were the United Kingdom, France, and the Russian Empire; Italy entered the war on their side in 1915...
, but rapidly lost the Battle of Bucharest
Battle of Bucharest
The Battle of Bucharest, also known as the Argeş-Neajlov Defensive Operation in Romania, was an important battle of the Romanian Campaign in World War I, in which the Central Powers occupied the Romanian capital and forced the Romanian Government, as well as the remnants of the Romanian Army to...
to the Central Powers
Central Powers
The Central Powers were one of the two warring factions in World War I , composed of the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Bulgaria...
: their armies occupied the city and forced the government to move the capital to Iaşi. Conon, who stayed behind in occupied Bucharest, was persuaded by the German authorities to sign a letter to the soldiers and the Orthodox faithful in Moldavia, urging them to give up the fight against Germany. The letter, written by author Gala Galaction
Gala Galaction
Gala Galaction was a Romanian Orthodox clergyman and theologian, writer, journalist, left-wing activist, as well as a political figure of the People's Republic of Romania...
at the request of collaborationist politician Virgil Arion, was later modified by the German authorities without Galaction's consent, and dropped as airborne leaflet propaganda
Airborne leaflet propaganda
Airborne leaflet propaganda is a form of psychological warfare in which leaflets are scattered in the air. Military forces have used aircraft to drop leaflets to alter the behavior of people in enemy-controlled territory, sometimes in conjunction with air strikes...
over the Romanian trenches.
After the war, accused of betrayal, Conon resigned on January 1, 1919, being replaced by Miron Cristea
Miron Cristea
Miron Cristea, was an Austro-Hungarian-born Romanian cleric and politician....
.