Source: Orthodox History by MATTHEW NAMEE Today, relations between the patriarchates of Moscow and Romania are tense: both lay claim to jurisdiction in the Republic of Moldova, which makes up about two-thirds of the historic region known as Bessarabia. The other third of Bessarabia is now in Ukraine, Budjak (Izmail and Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi). In the Republic of Moldova, the Russian and Romanian patriarchates have had rival jurisdictions ever since the fall of the USSR, although things didn’t get really tense until very recently, when Russian-affiliated clergy began joining the Romanian jurisdiction (without canonical releases) as part of the fallout from the war…
Browsing: Romania
Source: Orthodox Church in America ROMANIA [OCA] The delegation of the Orthodox Church in America, led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, visited Romania from June 4 to June 7, 2024. The delegation includes Archpriest Alexander Rentel, OCA Chancellor, Archpriest Nazari Polataiko, and Deacon Vitaly Permiakov. Their visit strengthened the OCA’s ties and friendship with the Romanian Orthodox Church and included engagements at the Putna Monastery and an audience at the Patriarchal Palace. Visit to Putna Monastery On Tuesday, June 4, His Beatitude arrived at Putna Monastery, where he was warmly welcomed by Archimandrite Melchisedec (Velnic), the abbot of Putna Monastery, the clergy…
Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA As previously reported, Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and All Moldova wrote a surpisingly strong letter to Patriarch Kirill on September 5, 2023. (https://cubreacovblog.wordpress.com/2023/10/20/mitropolitul-vladimir-cantarean-ne-aflam-intr-o-situatie-de-faliment-institutional-mitropolia-basarabei-a-demonstrat-ca-este-o-forta-care-nu-mai-poate-fi-oprita/ ) The letter contained many grievances including the failure of the Holy Synod of the Moscow Patriarchate to elect Archimandrite Filaret (Kuzmin) as a bishop as requested by the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova (OCM). Some people speculated that such a strong letter might be the first step in the OCM leaving the Moscow Patriarchate. The Moscow Patriarchate acted quickly. At its Synod meeting on October 11, 2023, Archimandrite Filaret…
Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA There is the very sad news that Patriarch Neophyte died on the evening of March 13 at the age of 78 after a long illness. https://bg-patriarshia.bg/news/saobshtenie-po-povod-konchinata-na-negovo-sveteyshestvo-balg He had been patriarch for 11 years. The funeral service will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 16 at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia. https://bg-patriarshia.bg/news/sv-sinod-na-bpts-bp-opredeli-datite-za-poklonenieto-opeloto Patriarch Neophyte seems to have been highly regarded by everyone, and his condolences have poured in. On the morning of March 14, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew conducted a Trisagion service for the repose of the soul of Patriarch Neophyte. https://orthodoxtimes.com/patriarchal-trisagion-for-the-late-patriarch-of-bulgaria-and-bishop-of-efkarpia/ The following are the condolences sent…
Source: Orthodox Times The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church met for its working session at “Patriarch Teoctist” Aula of the Patriarchal Palace on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. The Holy Synod elected by secret ballot Archimandrite Paisie Teodorescu, patriarchal vicar, in the dignity of patriarchal auxiliary bishop. The new patriarchal auxiliary bishop will bear the title of Bishop Paisie of Sinaia. Also, the Holy Synod elected by secret ballot Archimandrite Nectarie Petre, eparchial vicar of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Western Europe, in the dignity of Assistant Bishop to this Archdiocese. The new Assistant Bishop will bear the title…
Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA On February 13, the Romanian Patriarchate’s news agency, Basilica.ro, issued a clarification relating to the decision of its Holy Synod on February 9 “to approve the recognition of the autocephaly granted to the Church in the Republic of North Macedonia under the name of ‘Archdiocese of Ohrid and North Macedonia, with headquarters in Skopje’ by the Patriarchate of Serbia by its Synodal Tomos issued on June 5, 2022.” The original decision by the Romanian Patriarchate is reported at https://basilica.ro/en/romanian-orthodox-churchs-holy-synod-meets-for-first-time-this-year-decisions/. Its clarification is found at https://basilica.ro/en/clarification-regarding-the-decision-of-the-holy-synod-of-the-romanian-patriarchate-to-recognise-the-autocephaly-of-the-church-in-north-macedonia/. The original statement by the news agency was very significant in that it…
Source: International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) IOCC Programs Provide Vital Assistance in Ukraine, Romania, and Poland As winter in Ukraine deepens, a new set of needs arises. Damage to infrastructure during the ongoing conflict has left thousands of civilians without water, power, and heat. To address these growing needs, IOCC is drawing on experience in other areas torn by conflict. New efforts are focused on providing vital alternative power options—including generators and solar-energy systems. IOCC is also working to create programs to support income generation and employment. In addition, IOCC and a local partner are providing psychosocial support to help…
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity As Orthodox Christian Laity prepares to participate in the 2023 International Orthodox Theological Association Mega-Conference in Volos, Greece, from January 11-14, 2023, we are republishing OCL’s presentation and video from the 2019 Conference in Iasi, Romania. We remind the theologians and presenters at the upcoming conference to more actively bring their works and be teachers to lay persons outside of the academy. It takes all of us to bring about canonical order and unity. We also encourage you to do yourself a favor and watch the most watched video on IOTA’s website: The Keynote Address by…
Source: The Wheel Winter/Spring 2022 The Romanian Orthodox Church in the Age of Autocracy Ionut Biliuta In 2007, when Metropolitan Daniel Ciobotea of Moldova and Bukovina became the sixth Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the theological and priestly worlds were brimming with expectation. A respected scholar of systematic theology with degrees obtained in the West, an ecumenical theologian, and a diplomat of the Church, he was the obvious choice for succeeding the old and beleaguered Patriarch Teoctist Arăpașu. Being the spiritual leader of one of the most significant Orthodox churches was no easy task in post-communist Romania. The Patriarchate…
Source: Basilica.ro by Aurelian Iftimiu In gaining national independence, “the Romanian Orthodox Church played a significant role through the ministers of the holy altars, through its monastics and lay faithful,” Patriarch Daniel said. In a message for Romania’s Independence Day (May 10), His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel recalled the Church’s contribution to the struggle for gaining state independence, as well as the desire expressed by different personalities to build a National Cathedral “as a sign of thanksgiving to God for gaining Romania’s independence, a church building with the value of a national symbol.” This year marks the 145th anniversary of the…
Source: Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America Since Russian forces launched an attack on Ukraine on February 24, more than 100,000 refugees entered neighboring Romania. We ask you to help the refugees who continue to arrive in Romania and the Republic of Moldova. The funds raised will be directed to the Romanian Orthodox dioceses who are already involved in helping the refugees. May God bless you for your Christian love and concern exemplified through your prayers and generous donations. With blessings, +NATHANIEL, Archbishop The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America
Source: Basilica.ro by Aurelian Iftimiu The Archdiocese of Suceava and Radauti announced on Friday night the measures taken to support refugees from Ukraine. The archdiocese’s photographer, Irina Ursachi, accompanied priests and volunteers from the Archdiocesan Administration and captured emotional pictures. An intervention committee for the situation of refugees was set up in the archdiocese, consisting of clergy of the Diocesan Centre, deans, exarchs and volunteer coordinators. The archdiocesan intervention committee is coordinated by Archim. Paraschiv Dabija, administrative vicar. Photo: Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți The archdiocese offers, from its own stocks, water, non-perishable food, household items and personal hygiene products, as…