The Studia Theologica Doctoralia Symposium began in 2008 at the initiative of several doctoral students of the Doctoral School of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology "Dumitru Stăniloae" in Iasi. Initially, it was intended to serve only as a forum for debates on the topics that the doctoral students were researching at the time. Since the debates included the presentation of papers, the first initiative was followed by the publication of a book. Thus was "Studia Theologica Doctoralia" born, a series of volumes with the same title. This foundation has been permanently developed upon.
In 2009, doctoral students in the field of theology, but not limited to it, from other Romanian universities were invited to participate in the debate, each encounter being followed by the publication of a volume.
Starting with the 5th edition, the Studia Theologica Doctoralia Symposium has undergone a process of internationalization, being co-organized by the Faculty of Roman Catholic Theology of the University "Karl Franzes" from Graz, Austria, owing to an academic and friendly relationship between the Faculty of Orthodox Theology "Dumitru Stăniloae" from Iasi and the University of Graz, and with the support and friendship of Professor Pablo Argarate.
Since 2017, the Orthodox Theological Institute "Saint John Damascene" of Balamand University in Tripoli, Lebanon, has been added to the line of co-organizers, on account of our collaboration with this educational institution and the involvement of Father Professor Porphyrios Fadi Georgi, and since 2020 the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of "Aristotle" University in Thessaloniki, Greece, has been added to the line of organizers, Professor Miltiadis Vantos being responsible for this auspicious collaboration.
Today, the Studia Theologica Doctoralia Symposium is a scholarly pursuit of doctoral students in theology, but also of those in other fields of science and research, with widespread domestic and international recognition. It is a place where unrestricted and meaningful debates take place and an environment where friendships are fostered. It provides young scholars with the opportunity to become acquainted with one another and to make themselves known, to publish their scientific research and to work together towards the recognition of the theological sciences they serve.
For the many beautiful achievements and fine relationships we are most grateful to His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, who blessed the beginnings of this endeavour and who encouraged and supported it constantly, to His Eminence Theophan, Metropolitan of Moldova and Bucovina, under whose blessing and with whose assistance we continue to affirm and develop the Studia Theologica Doctoralia Symposium, while at the same time being grateful to all the institutions and persons who by their deeds have inscribed their names in the rich history of what we call today Studia Theologica Doctoralia.
