In addition to its collection of rare religious books, the Institute’s Bibliothēkē also houses a selection of the religious orders and medals offered to President Emil Constantinescu by notable political and religious figures.
The conferment of these orders and medals reflects a recognition of the efforts of Emil Constantinescu, President of Romania between 1996 and 2000 and currently President of the Scientific Council of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Levant Culture and Civilization, to promote intercultural and interfaith dialogue, international reconciliation and cooperation and tolerance. They are signs of appreciation for his ecumenical activity, and confer a dual spiritual-moral dimension to his political and diplomatic efforts.
Visitors have the opportunity to view the “Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre” in the rank of Collar and Grand Cross, offered to President Constantinescu by the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Diodoros, during a state visit to Israel in January 2000. The Order was established in 1897 by the Greek government in collaboration with the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, with the Sultan recognizing the Patriarchate’s autonomy within the Ottoman Empire. While it was never officially abolished, membership to the Order ceased being conferred during the first decades of the State of Israel’s existence, and was reinstated in 1981 with certain amendments.
Also of particular importance are the two orders conferred by His Holiness, Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople – himself a tireless promoter of interfaith dialogue: “The Virgin Mary with the Holy Infant and the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul,” and “The Holy Apostle Andrew,” respectively.
Among the rare medals presented on the occasion of the Day of Open Doors, the Institute for Advanced Studies in Levant Culture and Civilization takes pride in being able to showcase two medals Emil Constantinescu received from His Sanctity, Pope John Paul II, on the occasion of their meeting in Vienna in June 1998 and during a state visit to the Vatican, respectively. In addition, the exhibition also features a commemorative medal set issued on the occasion of the funeral of Pope John Paul II, received from Joseph Ratzinger, Dean of the College of Cardinals and future Sovereign Pontiff under the title of Benedict XVI.
The exhibition also includes a special medal minted on the occasion of Pope Francis’ visit to Romania (May 21 – June 2, 2019), alongside several commemorative medal sets issued by the National Bank of Romania in honour of several notable figures of Romanian spiritual life.
July 18 2025
November 19 2025
