Father Justin’s will
Father Justin Pârvu: A Testament of Faith and Obedience
Today, 10 February 2017, we commemorate the 98th anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest, most beloved, and best-known spiritual leaders of the Romanian nation, Father Justin Pârvu. From his youth, he dedicated his life wholly to Christ, exemplifying the life of a “perfect monk.” He was a confessor in difficult times, a spiritual father who nurtured countless monks, nuns, priests, and laypeople, and a guiding presence who profoundly influenced the destiny of many. Even after his passing, Father Justin’s spiritual work continues for all who seek his advice and intercession from God. His enduringly beautiful resting place has become a site of pilgrimage, consolation, and inspiration, strengthening the faith and hope of countless visitors.
Shortly before his passing, Father Justin was asked: “What testament do you leave to your disciples, especially the monks?” Summoning the last of his strength and fortified by God, he responded deliberately and forcefully:
“Obedience, penance, prayer, unity!”
These four words are inscribed on the four pillars of the canopy covering his tomb, like a sacred altar—one word on each column. At the four corners, the true cardinal points symbolize the ultimate goal: Christ. Through these words, Father Justin, even from his tomb and the kingdom of the righteous, conveys that fulfilling this testament is the measure of his true disciples, just as love is the mark by which one recognizes the disciples of Christ (Jn 13:35).
By observing this holy testament, each spiritual child “grows like a well-built house to become a holy dwelling place in the Lord” (Eph 2:21), anchored in the guiding pillar of fire that was Father Justin himself—steadfast, immovable, rooted in the foundation of Christ (1 Cor 3:11). Failure to fulfill this testament, however, leads to a spiritual separation from the father, fostering pride and arrogance, as if the disciple were greater than the teacher, and thus distancing one from Christ, whom Father Justin served faithfully throughout his life.
Father Justin was also gifted with spiritual insight. In a prophetic way, he foresaw the turmoil and potential disagreements that might arise in society and even among his disciples after his departure. With his characteristic dignity, he sought to inspire everyone to manifest the same Christian and Romanian virtues. Of the four testamentary virtues, we will particularly reflect on obedience.
Obedience
Obedience was the virtue to which Father Justin devoted his entire being. It is the submission of one’s will to God, or to another in the name of God, representing the natural order in the moral development of humanity. It is the foundation of religion, morality, and the orderly functioning of society, ecclesiastical institutions, families, and communities. Obedience signifies order and harmony, while disobedience signifies disorder, deviation from the natural law, as the Holy Fathers remind us: “Obedience is life; disobedience is death.” St. Basil the Great observes that obedience “is the shortest and surest way to the Kingdom of God,” while St. John the Fearful adds: “The obedient dies himself, for he who obeys will answer for everything.”
God Himself calls the chosen people to obedience: “Hear, O Israel, and be diligent to do all these things…” (Dt 6:3-4). Christ, the incarnate Son of God, exemplifies perfect obedience to the Father: “Obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8), willing to surrender even when faced with the fear of death: “not as I will, but as you will” (Lk 22:42). The Mother of God also obeys fully the plan of salvation of the Blessed Trinity, welcoming the incarnate Son with humility: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word” (Lk 1:36). Obedience is thus the divine mystery through which humanity’s salvation was accomplished, countering disobedience—the daughter of pride—that caused the fall of the angels, Adam and Eve, and all humankind. As St. John Damascene says: “Christ came by His obedience to heal the disobedience of Adam.”
All human sins stem from a single temptation: the lust of the body, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Monastic life, through the three vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, offers a structured struggle against these sources of sin.
Father Justin’s Exemplary Obedience
From his youth, Father Justin embraced the cross of monastic vows and fulfilled them with unwavering dedication. His obedience to his superiors serves as a model for all. In Durău, during the early years of his monastic life, he faithfully served guests at meals—often late into the night—even when this was arduous or displeasing. Between 1967 and 1977, following his release from communist imprisonment, he obeyed Abbot Gherontie Ștefan at Secu Monastery, despite constant surveillance by the Securitate. In Bistrița Monastery, he demonstrated perfect obedience under Abbot Ciprian, navigating the scrutiny of both the monastery’s residents and the authorities. Father Justin, together with Ioanichie Bălan, was closely observed by the authorities, yet he maintained his spiritual focus, neither rebelling nor challenging the abbots, always showing respect, integrity, and perfect obedience.
Whenever Father Justin needed to leave a monastery, he did so only after proper permission, presenting any concerns or suggestions to the abbot with tact and humility. His conduct earned the love and consultation of his superiors. As he expressed in his words:
“We entrust this monastery to Your Highness, who represents ‘the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.'”
After 1991, with the founding of Petru Vodă Monastery, Father Justin became abbot, demonstrating obedience to hierarchs while requiring the same from those under his guidance—a concrete enactment of monastic life.
His obedience to the Metropolitan of Moldavia and Bucovina was evident in every action, from requesting written or oral blessings for monastery work to rejoicing upon receiving permission to celebrate Holy Mass in unfinished spaces. During the consecration of the church dedicated to Archangels Michael and Gabriel on 8 November 2005, he said:
“As in a votive painting, we dedicate this monastery to Your Most Reverend Holiness, who represents ‘the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth’ (1 Tim 3:15), and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for consecrating our monastery as a place of God’s holy service, a place of unceasing prayer and a point where heaven meets earth. We look forward to seeing you as often as possible, praying together and exchanging words of spiritual edification, knowing that in the monastery the archpriest is the first among the monks.”
Father Justin’s dedication extended to the entirety of his monasteries—the buildings, hermitages, and all gifts received—ensuring that all belonged to God through the Church. Likewise, during the consecration of the Monastery of the Assumption in Paltin by Bishop Calinic Botoșăneanul, or the Chapel on the Hill by Metropolitan Teofan, Father Justin exhibited joy in fulfilling his duties and the spiritual bond between hierarchs and faithful.
Obedience was the law he instilled in all disciples, and those who resisted were corrected with compassion and guidance. To young monks questioning their abbots, he consistently emphasized that obedience is indispensable for inner peace and salvation.
On this day, as we remember the birth of Father Justin Pârvu, let us honor his enduring testament to spiritual life: obedience, penance, prayer, unity.
(Pr. Prof. Vasile Păvăleanu – Ziarul Lumina, electronic edition of 10 February 2017)