Education:
- PhD in Pastoral and Practical Theology (King’s College London, 2008)
- Diploma in Translation and Diploma in Public Service Interpreting, MA level (The Institute of Linguists, London, 2008)
- Master of Arts in Christian Ethics (King’s College London, 2003)
- Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (University of Bucharest, 2000)
- Bachelor of Pastoral Theology (University of Bucharest, 1999)
Academic experience:
- Faculty Member, Nisibis Assyrian Theological College (2026-)
- Associate Lecturer, The Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, Cambridge, United Kingdom (2009-2020)
- Associated Lecturer, Norwich Centre for Christian Learning, United Kingdom (2009-2020)
- Lecturer and Tutor, Dumitru Stăniloae Centre for Study and Research, Paris, France (2017-2018)
- Academic Director, The College of our Lady of Mettingham, Suffolk, United Kingdom (2015-2018)
- Distance Learning Tutor, The Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, Cambridge, United Kingdom (2009-)
Publications:
Books
- Barbu, L. Spiritual Direction and Formation: The Life and Spirit of Eastern Christianity (forthcoming)
Edited books
- Zizioulas, J., K. Ware, B. Bucur and L. Barbu. Reflecții teologice asupra eshatologiei creștine (Theological Reflections on Christian Eschatology). Bucharest: Basilica, 2024.
Journal articles
- Barbu, L. “Geistliche Unterweisung in den orthodoxen Ostkirchen” (Spiritual Formation in the Eastern Orthodox tradition). Religion & Gesellschaft in Ost und West 11 (2018): 21-23.
- Barbu, L. “The turn to the inner-self and liturgical participation in the Desert Fathers.” Studia Patristica 72 (2014): 233-240.
- Barbu, L. “Spiritual Fatherhood as Symbol of Divine Fatherhood: A Viewpoint from the Eastern Orthodox Tradition.” A Revista Portuguesa de Filosofia 69.2 (2013): 255-268.
- Barbu, L. “Spiritual Fatherhood in and Outside the Desert: An Eastern Orthodox Perspective.” Studia Patristica 64:12 (2013): 65-76.
- Barbu, L. “Spiritual Formation as an Art: Adult Faith Formation in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition.” Journal of Adult Theological Education 9:1 (2012): 28-43.
- Barbu, L. “The Bishop as Spiritual Father in Early Christian Writings and the Eastern Orthodox Tradition of Spiritual Fatherhood.” Studia Patristica 52 (2012): 27-33.
- Barbu, L. “Life and Spirit: Spiritual Fatherhood in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition.” Koinonia: The Journal of Anglican and Eastern Churches Association (London, 2011): 3-21.
- Barbu, L. “Natural and Fallen Will and their Twist in the Eastern Orthodox Practice of Ascetic Obedience.” Studia Patristica 50 (2011): 259-268.
- Barbu, L. “‘Charisma’ vs. ‘Institution’? The Ascetics and the Church.” Studia Patristica 45 (2010): 3-8.
Book chapters
- Barbu, L. “Eschatology Today: Patristic and Contemporary Considerations.” In: Liviu Barbu, ed. Eschatology for Today. Perspectives from Leading Theologians (forthcoming from St Vladimir’s Seminary Press).
- Barbu, L. “‘Eastern’ and ‘Western’ Approaches to Spiritual Direction in the Orthodox Church.” In: Bishop Ignatie (Trif) of Huși, ed. Festschrift in Honor of Archdeacon Professor Ioan Caraza (Huși and Iași: Horeb & Doxologia, forthcoming 2026).
- Barbu, L. “The ‘Philosophy’ of Spiritual Direction and Formation in the Philokalic Tradition.” In: Manuel Sumares and Ricardo Barroso Batista, eds. Theology and the Philosophy of Philokalia: Its Reception East and West. Monsul: St Gregory Palamas Study Center, 2022, 85-130.
- Barbu, L. “The legacy of Saint Gregory Palamas’ theology and of hesychasm in Romanian Orthodoxy.” In: Constantinos Athanasopoulos, ed. Orthodox Mysticism and Asceticism: Philosophy and Theology in St Gregory Palamas. Cambridge Scholars, 2019, 31-51.
- Barbu, L. “Spiritual Fatherhood in the World: A Practical Approach.” In: Kallistos Ware and Graham Speake, eds. Spiritual Direction on Mount Athos. Peter Lang, 2015, 91-110.
- Barbu, L. “The Mystery of Salvation and Contemporary Theologies of Redemption.” In: Elmer L. Towns, ed. Theology for Today: Soteriology and Eschatology, vol. 1. Dublin: The Priory Institute, 2009, 45-91.
- Barbu, L. “Bibliography: Secondary Works on John Zizioulas’ Theology.” In: Douglas Knight, ed. The Theology of John Zizioulas: Personhood and the Church. Aldershot, Burlington: Ashgate, 2007, 197-202.
Ecclesiastical experience:
- 2022 Parish Priest, Dobroteasa Church, Bucharest, Romania
- 2020-2022 Associate Priest, Dobroteasa Church, Bucharest, Romania
- 2018-2020 Dean, Eastern Missionary Deanery of the Romanian Orthodox Deanery in the UK, Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe
- 2010-2020 Parish Priest, the Romanian Orthodox Church in Norwich & East Anglia, the Parish of Sts Martyr Philothea & Bede the Venerable, Norfolk, United Kingdom
- 2008 Ordained priest, Associate Priest, the Parish of Great Martyr George, London, United Kingdom
- 2008 Ordained to the diaconate, the Parish of Great Martyr George, London, United Kingdom
Ecumenical appointment:
- 2010-2020 Member, the Pastoral Committee of the Pan-Orthodox Bishops Assembly in the United Kingdom
