Note by informant “David Prundeanu” on the activity of Popescu Tudor (25 November 1958)
The Meeting – 25 November 1958
With Captain Coman Nicolae and source “Prundeanu David”
TOP SECRET
NOTES
Professor Teodor M. Popescu of the Theological Institute of Bucharest has been known to the source since 1931, when he was a student. He was always regarded as a serious and diligent teacher of theological students.
He is a native of Contești commune, Titu district [1], Bucharest region, where he also owns a farm he visits during the summer. In addition to his teaching duties, he serves as etropist at the Church of St. Mary – under Patriarch Miron – located behind the cemetery of St. Friday. There, he assists in the choir and plays alongside the church singers. He is married to a widow, a circumstance that prevented him from being ordained a priest.
Professor Popescu is the brother-in-law of Haralambie Cojocaru, with whom he resides. Cojocaru was formerly an assistant at the Theological Institute in Bucharest and currently serves as a priest at St. Mary’s Church. His political attitudes were considered dubious under the P.R.R. regime.
Although Professor Popescu could have retired, the Patriarch maintained him in his post at the Institute. In recent years, he has reportedly softened his approach toward students, treating them more kindly [2].
He has published numerous theological articles in church journals and is known as a vigorous opponent of Catholicism, particularly the Vatican, against which he has written extensively. By 1944, he had published an article in the magazine Romanian Orthodox Church, entitled “From Nero to Stalin”, in which he strongly criticized communism. After 1944, he continued to write on theological subjects for specialized journals.
Professor Popescu is fluent in Greek, German, and French, and enjoys the confidence of the Patriarch, who frequently assigned him to church delegations in Eastern countries as a translator. His theological work has also earned recognition abroad, with acquaintances in Germany, Greece, France, and other countries where he pursued his studies.
Politically, he holds reactionary views, which he attempts to conceal under the guise of obedience to the regime. In terms of teaching theological students, his political outlook limits his ability to fully educate them about the social and political realities affecting the working people of Romania.
Reported by: David Prundeanu
Date: 22 November 1958
NOTE TO THE BOARD:
This material was requested to document the work of Popescu Tudor. The agent should be asked to provide the article “From Nero to Stalin” for verification in the investigation.
ss/Cpt. Cristea Ion
(ACNSAS, Informative fund, file 706, vol. 1, f. 79-80 – Document edited by Adrian Nicolae Petcu and published in the magazine Puncte Cardinale, year XVI, no. 4/184, April 2006)
[1] Correct Titu district, cf. Indicator alfabetic al localităților din Republica Populară Română, Bucharest, Editura Științifică, 1956, p. 212.
[2] Underlining is in blue ink and pencil. (n.a.)