History

The Areopagus Center was founded in 1997 by a group of Christians concerned about presenting the Gospel in a way relevant to today's culture and society. It was formed as an association, with 28 founding members, including Christians active in a variety of arenas: theologians, doctors, professors, businessmen, pastors, missionaries, etc.

Through the subjects addressed, as well as through various organized activities, the Areopagus Center has come to the aid of many people concerned with the religious question, and the activities of the Center are already recognized both at the local and the national and international level. Among the more important activities and events we would mention, in chronological order:

1998

• Periodic courses periodice, on such subjects as: "Hermeneutics and Biblical Interpretation", Daniel Bulzan, Pam LaBreche; "The Human Being: A Theological Investigation", Dr. Silviu Rogobete; "A Christian Approach to Culture and Civilization", Marius Radu; "The Reformation and Today's Church", Dwight Poggemiller; "The World of the Old Testament", Andy LaBreche; "New Testament Greek", Pam LaBreche; "New Testament Introduction", Dr. Alex Neagoe.
• Bachelor's program in theology (BDiv) through London University (still continuing)
• The establishment of a specialized library
• The launching of a Romanian language, culture and civilization program for foreigners
• The purchase of our own building at Calea Martirilor nr. 104
• The start of "The Wednesday Forum", a weekly meeting that still continues today and brings together important members of various religious communities and laypersons interested in dialogue and in finding together answers to various dilemmas of modernity. Among these personalities we would mention: His High Holiness Nicolae Corneanu, Metropolitan of the Banat (2001); Dr. Iosif Ţon, Romanian Missionary Society (1999); Prof. Dr. Vasile Boari, Dean of the Faculty of Political Science at Babeş Bolyai University, Cluj (2002); Horia-Roman Patapievici (2001, 2002); Prof. Dr. David Martin, London School of Economics (1998); Prof. Dr. David Robertson, Oxford University, (2000); Dr. Meic Pierce, London Bible College, (1998); etc.

1999

• The initiation of the Theological Circle, which periodically brings together theologians representing various Christian confessions with the purposes of dialogue, of learning from one another, and of finding common ground on which to achieve true Christian service. At this Circle papers have been presented by members of the Areopagus Center, as well as other persons including: Dr. Jonathan Sutton, Leeds University; Dr. Meic Pierce and Prof. Dr. Tony Lane, London Bible College; Scott Garber, Greater Europe Mission, USA.
• The first and second International Conference of Introduction to Romanian Culture and Civilization.
• New courses: "Theological Perspectives on Postrevolutionary Romanian Culture”, Robert Lazu; "Religion through the Eyes of Psychology", Dr. Silviu Rogobete
• New colloquia: "The Birth of God and Its Implications", Dr. Iosif Ţon
• Lecturers from the Areopagus Center became regularly invited guests at various seminaries, colloquia, and specialized conferences

2000

• New courses: "Management and the Bible", Leo van Doeasburg; "Gnosis and Postmodern Ideologies ", Robert Lazu; "From Logos to Praxis: The Pauline Epistles as a Model of Applied Theology", Dr. Alex Neagoe.
• The launching of the Social Department with a program of assistance, education and counseling for socially disadvantaged youth (financed through the Geneva Global Research Fund)
• The third and fourth International Conference of Introduction to Romanian Culture and Civilization.

2001

• The launching of the postgraduate program "The Practice of Social Work and Spiritual Orientation", in cooperation with the Department of Social Work of the Western University, Timişoara.
•  The inauguration of the "Monday Night Cinematica", a weekly activity that brings together an impressive number of film enthusiasts interested in viewing and discussing some of the most significant cinematic productions of all time.
• The organization, in cooperation with the Political Science Faculty of the Western University, a special colloquium entitled, What is Lost When Something Is Won, with the distinguished participation of Mr. H.R. Patapievici.
• The participation of His High Holiness Nicolae Corneanu, Metropolitan of the Banat, at a Wednesday Forum.
• A Theological Circle on the subject “The Ecclesiology of Dumitru Stăniloae”, Dănuţ Mănăstireanu
• New colloquia, such as: "The Concept of Partnership in Medical Care: A Secular and a Theological Approach", - Gina Bulica, Prof. Dr. Caius Streian
• The sixth and seventh International Conference of Introduction to Romanian Culture and Civilization.
• Dr. Silviu Rogobete moderated the International Seminar "Conflict Prevention and Religious Cooperation", organized by the Euroregional Center for Democracy.
• The Areopagus Center is selected as co-organizer of the Round Table "Religion and Democracy - The Romanian Experience".
• 14.11.2001 - Dr. Silviu Rogobete presented the Areopagus Center at the residence of the Lord Chancellor of Great Britain, as part of a colloquium with the theme "Innovative Integration"
• The publication of the book "An Ontology of Love", Silviu Rogobete, Polirom, Iaşi.

2002

• Horia-Roman Patapievici visits the Areopagus Center again and presents his best-seller "Omul recent" ("Recent Man")
• A colloquium on the subject "Aspects of Social Work and Spiritual Assistance within Christian Organizations Working with Socially Disadvantaged Youth", Ina Bulzan.
• The Areopagus Center was one of the principal organizers of the International Round Table "Religion and Democracy - The Romanian Experience," under the personal aegis of Mr. Walter Schwimmer, General Secretary of the Council of Europe (31.05 - 01.06.2002). In participation were over 60 notable personages from the religious world, as well as laypersons, from both within and outside Romania. The keynote speakers were: His Excellency Teodor Baconski, Prof. Dr. Andrei Marga, H.R. Patapievici, and His Excellency Mihai Răzvan Ungureanu.
• The publication of the book "The Trial of the Gospel: An Apologetic Reading of Luke's Trial Narratives", Alex Neagoe, Cambridge University Press.
• 20.06.2002 - Dr. Silviu Rogobete - keynote speaker at the International Seminar "Belief & Integration. Spiritual and Ethical Issues of European Union Integration", Ashford, Great Britain.

2003

• PHILADELPHIA, USA. American Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Silviu Rogobete was selected to read a paper on 'Morality and Tradition in Post communist Orthodox Lands: On the Universality of Human Rights with Special Reference to Romania'.
• Areopagus was part of the Official Delegation of Romania at OSCE's conference on Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting on Freedom of Religion or Belief. The conference took place in Vienna, Austria.
• As recognition of its role in the region on issues related to religion and human rights, Areopagus was invited by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to join the Romanian official delegation at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe's international meeting on 'Freedom of Religion or Belief'. In fact, Areopagus was the only one representative of the Romanian nongovernmental sector, joining the Romanian ambassador at OSCE and three other representatives of the ministries of: Culture and Religion, Education and Research, and Justice.
• Areopagus was invited as one of the main representatives of Romania at the Round Table organized in Maribor, Slovenia. The theme was related to the Legal Position of Churches and Religious Communities in South-Eastern Europe - Achievements and Problems and the idea of the organizers was to invite one representative of the government and one representative of the non-governmental sector from each of the countries of the region. The main purpose was to assess the various issues related to each country's legislation regulating religious matters and to hear the perspective of both the various governments and of those representing the nongovernmental sector. Invited as a specialist in the field of Human Rights and Religious Studies, Areopagus' Silviu Rogobete read a paper criticizing the Romanian government's latest attempt to issue an abusive and undemocratic Law of Religion and Cults.
• A new visit of Prof. Bret McMichael, presenting a seminar with the title: Psycho-social Care of Ill and Injured Children and their Families.
• Theological circle, with Hendrie Van Maanen: "The Gospel of Mark, written in Galilee, around 70 AD by a Marcan community".
• In its fifth year of existence, Areopagus inaugurates The Areopagus Regional Centre for Social Integration and Human Development - CRIS-DU Areopagus.
• A seminar held by Dr. Bret McMichael (USA). The theme was "Grief and Loss in the Family".
• The Areopagus Centre was the host of a seminar with the title "Faith, Diversity, Reconciliation", which brought together representatives of diverse Christian denominations from several areas of the country.

2004

• Bogdan Tataru Cazaban, a leading Romanian specialist in Medieval Studies, general editor of Anastasia Printing House, Bucharest. We were honored to have him as our guest at the forum.
•  Cultural Awareness Weekends
•  Dr. Silviu Rogobete addressed the Henry Institute for Christianity and Politics, Calvin Institute, Grand Rapids, US. The title of his presentation was "Between Fundamentalism and Secularization: Church-State Relations in an Orthodox Post-Communist Country, the Romanian Case".
• Holiday with computers! The Areopagus Center, together with a group of American volunteers, organized a computer course for youngsters between 14-17 years old.
• Joshua Muravchik, world specialist in NATO, human rights and democracy, socialism, and Iran, visited Areopagus and presented his book: Heaven on Earth: The Rise and Fall of Socialism.
• Liviu Mocan, artist, one of the leading Romanian sculptors, author of an impressive number of works including the Pillars of Silence, a public monument dedicated to the martyrs of the 1989 revolution against communism which placed is in the center of the city of Cluj. His message was: About Resurrection!
• Mihai Razvan Ungureanu, Special Envoy of the Southeastern Europe Stability Pact Coordinator. Former Secretary of State Minister in the Romanian Foreign Office, Mihai also studied Oriental Studies as well as Biblical and Post-biblical Hermeneutics at St. Cross College, Oxford University.
• New addition of books! The Areopagus Library continues to grow! We added 1500 new volumes in both English and Romanian covering a variety of subjects: theology, sociology, psychology, politics and human rights, etc.
• Professor Vasile Boari, PhD, the founder and dean of the Political and Administrative Sciences Department, Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca (1994-2004) lectured on: “The crisis of politics, the crisis of democracy.”
• Round Table: Promoting Interreligious Dialogue as a Means for Reconciliation, Conflict Resolution and Improving Democratic Stability in Southeastern Europe: the Case of Moldova. The Round Table was held under the auspices of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr.Walter Schwimmer. Our president, PhD. Silviu E. Rogobete presented the paper : "The Role of Religious Communities in the Democratic Transformation of the Romanian Society".
• The Areopagus Center hosted the monthly meeting of the evangelical leaders from Timisoara. "The Church - salt and light" was the general subject of the meeting. The problem of Christians' involvement in politics was also discussed. On this occasion, Christian politicians from Romania and Netherlands were invited!
• The Areopagus Center was honored to welcome the television show "Ideas in freedom", hosted by Mr. Horia Roman Patapievici. Mr. Patapievici interviewed Silviu Rogobete, PhD, the president of our center.
• The department of Counseling and Psychotherapy of CRIS-DU Areopagus has been organizing a training course on systemic family therapy, coordinated by Professor Hugh Jenkins.
• The International Day of Lit Candles - A day to remember those who are no longer among us
• The event organized by ARAS (The Romanian anti-AIDS Association), The Areopagus Center, The ATITUDINI Association, took place in 85 countries and was an expression of solidarity for those who struggle with HIV/AIDS.