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George GrossuBessarabian religious and political figure
Date of Birth: 01.01.1877
Country:  Romania |
Content:
- Metropolitan Gurie Grosu: A Life of Religious and Political Influence
- Monastic and Missionary Work
- Moldavian National and Political Leader
- Episcopal Consecration and Leadership
- Conflict with King Carol II
- Later Life and Death
Metropolitan Gurie Grosu: A Life of Religious and Political Influence
Early Life and EducationMetropolitan Gurie Grosu was born on January 1, 1877, in the Bessarabian village of Nimoreni. From 1892 to 1898, he studied at the Chisinau Theological Seminary, and from 1898 to 1902, he attended the Kiev Theological Academy, graduating with a degree in theology.
Monastic and Missionary Work
In 1902, Grosu joined the Neamţ Monastery, where he became a monk and was ordained as a deacon and priest. He was appointed as a diocesan anti-sectarian missionary, dedicated to combating religious dissent.
Moldavian National and Political Leader
After the February Revolution of 1917, Grosu returned to Bessarabia and became actively involved in the political struggle for regional autonomy. He was a co-founder of the Moldavian National Party and consecrated the opening session of the Sfatul Ţării on November 21, 1917. In the government of the Moldavian Democratic Republic, he served as Director General of Education and Religious Affairs.
Episcopal Consecration and Leadership
Following Bessarabia's annexation by Romania, Grosu was consecrated as Bishop on July 15, 1918, and held the Botoşani diocese. On January 1, 1920, he became Archbishop of Chişinău, and on February 21, 1920, he was elevated to Archbishop of Bessarabia. In 1928, he was promoted to Metropolitan.
Conflict with King Carol II
During King Carol II's visit to Bessarabia in 1930, Metropolitan Grosu prohibited him from entering the altar through the Royal Doors, arguing that the king could only enter wearing a crown and with a legitimate wife. This audacious act led to Grosu's dismissal from his post and a criminal trial under false charges in 1936.
Later Life and Death
After his dismissal, Grosu lived in retirement, mostly in Bucharest. He passed away on November 14, 1943, and was buried at the cemetery of the Cernica Monastery near Bucharest.
