MIHALCESCU, Ioan (Metropolit Irineu). Valea Viei, Pătârlagele 24.7.1874 — Agapia Monastery 5.4.1948. Romanian Orthodox Theologian and Translator of Sanskrit Literature. Son of Ioan M., a priest, and his wife Elena. After gymnasium in Buzău attended the seminars of Buzău and Bucharest in 1889-95, then studied Theology at Bucharest University. Further studies of Theology and Philosophy at Berlin and Leipzig 1901-04. Ph.D. 1903 Leipzig. Taught Theology at Bucharest: PD 1904, Professor 1908. In 1939-47 Metropolitan of Moldova, until forced to retire by the new Communist regime.

Publications: Diss. Darlegung und Kritik der Religionsphilosophie Sabatiers. 92 p.  Lp. 1903; many theological works.

– Translated: Legea lui Manu sau Institutţiile civile şi religioase ale Indiei. 424 p. Bibl. istoriei religiunilor 2. Bucharest 1920, new. ed. with changed title as Manava-dharma-sastra sau Cartea legii lui Manu. 349 p. Bucharest 2001; “Imnele Rig-Vedei”, Convorbiri literare 58, 1926, 903-911 & 60, 1927, 94-97; Bhagavad-Gita. Poema indiana. 126 p. Bibl. istoriei religiunilor 3. Bucharest 1932.

– Edited: Varlaam şi Ioasaf povestirea minunatei vieti a acestor doi sfinţi. 119 p. Bucharest 1921 (the old Romanian version of the legend).

Sources: Poghirc; briefly mentioned by Banateanu, Visva-Bh. Quart. 27, 1961-62, 256; https://www.crestinortodox.ro/parinti/irineu-mihalcescu-mitropolitul-moldovei-128116.html with portrait; Romanian Wikipedia with photo (as Ir.M.); not in Ionesco 1994.