Romania took hold of my heart in 2015 and since then has consumed my mind and soul. As with any genuine commitment, my relationship with this beautiful, complex country has grown and deepened over time as I have learned of its many tragedies, as well as its many triumphs. I have surrendered myself to Romania. [...] As I continue my Romanian journey, I marvel over the resiliency and fortitude of the people. I am fortunate to have developed close relationships, familial in many ways, with many Romanians. And I am eternally grateful to have been granted a Fulbright and honored to become part of this amazing community.
U.S. Fulbright Scholar Shares Insights with Theology Students In Bucharest
On December 10, Prof. John Burgess, a Fulbright scholar for 2025-26 at the Orthodox theological faculty in Sibiu, visited the Orthodox theological faculty in Bucharest, at the invitation of the decan, Prof. Cosmin Pricop. Burgess met with second year students in Prof. Mihail Săsăujan’s church history class and spoke about his research theme: the role of Orthodoxy in shaping contemporary Romanian national identity.
Students were very interested in Burgess’ presentation and made excellent comments afterwards. One stated that the deep piety of Orthodox grandmothers in the villages continues to be a source of strength to Romanians in times of trouble. Another spoke of his hope that Romanian Orthodoxy could help people in the West appreciate that religious faith is a matter, above all, of the heart, not the mind. The students also asked questions about Orthodoxy in the United States and wanted to know why Burgess, a Protestant theologian, has nevertheless become an expert on Orthodoxy.
Prof. Săsăujan was a gracious host, giving Burgess and his wife a tour of the faculty’s historic building, its library, and its icon painting school. Burgess also met with the Vice-Dean, Professor David Pestroiu, who informed him about the faculty’s many interdisciplinary programs that include instructors from other parts of the University of Bucharest.