Arsenie Boca

Arsenie Boca (September 29, 1910 — November 28, 1989) was a Romanian Orthodox monk, theologian and artist. He was persecuted by the Communists and named among the 100 greatest Romanians.

He was born in Vaţa de Sus, in the county of Hunedoara Romania, and died at a monastery of Sinaia, in the county of Prahova, Romania.

Biography

Studies and formation

He was born on the 29th of September, 1910, in the village Vața de Sus, in the county of Hunedoara, and his parents gave him the first name Zian. He studied at the ”Avram Iancu” National High School, graduating it in 1929. The same year he starts to study at the Theological Academy in Sibiu, which he graduated in 1933. He received a scholarship from the archbishop of Transylvania to study at the Institute of Bellearte in Bucharest. Meanwhile, he attended the medical classes of professor Francisc Rainer and the Christian Mystics class of professor Nichifor Crainic.

Remarking on his artistic talent, professor Costin Petrescu entrusted him to paint the scene that represents Mihai Viteazul from the Romanian Athenaeum. Sent by his bishop, he traveled to Mount Athos for documentation and spiritual experience.

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