The Actors Tell the World about the Saints of God

Romanian Patriarchate

On 1 April 2012, the 5th Sunday of the Lent, the audio-book entitled “Life of Saint Mary the Egyptian” was launched at Radu Vodă Monastery of Bucharest – informs us “Lumina” newspaper. The saint’s life, with her way from sin to God, is available now to the Christians recorded on a CD, performed by an impressive group of actors of the Romanian theatre and film.

Patriarch Sofronie of Jerusalem begins the Life of Saint Mary the Egyptian with the words: “A very good thing is hidden in the emperor’s mystery, but to preach the deeds of God is a glorified thing”, that seem to define the launching of the audio-book on the life of this pious saint, at Radu Vodă Monastery.

The life of Mary the Egyptian was read by actors who performed the characters present in the story. Thus, master Radu Beligan played patriarch Sofronie, actor Victor Rebengiuc was pious Zosima, actress Maria Ploae was Pious Mary the Egyptian, actress Daniela Nane was the Angel of God and actor Ionuţ Alin Ionescu was abbot Pious Zosima. The stage management was provided by actress Daniela Nane.

Kept as precious treasure in the Church, as His Grace Varsanufie Prahoveanul, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest said, the life of Mary the Egyptian was first read by the monks who wanted to have an improved life and who considered her sufferance and gift received as an example to be followed.

“The story of the life of Saint Mary the Egyptian was kept as a very precious gift in the Church, and it was told to all those willing to have an improved life and were looking for useful advice in their efforts, either in the monastery or in the desert, just like Saint Mary the Egyptian. Patriarch Sofronie of Jerusalem has learned the story of the life of Mary the Egyptian and wrote it down for enlightening the faithful, for encouraging them of the way of repentance”, explained His Grace.

“It is high time God entered our houses”

The audio-book was launched Sunday, in Radu Vodă Monastery, after the Divine Liturgy that His Grace Varsanufie Prahoveanul celebrated assisted by a group of servant priests. The actors who read the life of Mary the Egyptian were also present. “We participated in this recording with great joy and the deep faith that the words of God must be listened to. We have done other audio-books and I am sure we shall do others too, and so, you will be able to listen at home to what God says. After so many years of persecution of faith, I think it is high time that God entered our houses through this audio-book that we strove to record, and you will make the minim effort to listen to”, said actor Victor Regengiuc.

“I have never seen a more decayed human to have become so high”

“Two things impressed me in this text which I had never thought of before meeting the life of Mary the Egyptian. I do not know a more decayed human as this woman was, to have become so high due to the love she had for the Mother of God and God. The text reads that many times when thoughts were tormenting her she lay on the ground and remained there days on end till the light of the love of God seized her and she could walk further.

The same as the saint was helped when she wanted to have a good beginning of her new life and rid of all evil, and dedicated herself to God with all her being, getting the first Holy Communion, so we can hope that this joy that we receive should make us better and better”, also said actress Daniela Nane.

“I think it would be wonderful to continue this thought”

“I know how glad my father was to make this recording and it was for the first time that he was reading it and he was captivated by the poem of Mary the Egyptian’s life. I think it is a very good thing that such gifted actors perform the lives of the saints, that they tell the world about the saint of God. I think it would be wonderful to continue this thought”, said Lamia Beligan, daughter of master Radu Beligan.

His Grace Varsanufie Prahoveanul offered the performers of this audio-book diplomas of honour, on behalf of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, as a sign of gratitude and appreciation. Actors Radu Beligan and Victor Rebengiuc were awarded the Diploma of Honour of “Saint Andrew the Apostle, Protector of Romania”, and actors Maria Ploae, Daniela Nane and Ionuţ Alin Ionescu, the Diploma of Honour of “Saints Constantine and Helen the Emperors”. After the festivity held at Radu Vodă Monastery the actors were received and congratulated by His Beatitude Daniel, at the Patriarchal Residence.

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