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3/10/08
Episcopate
Commission
Holds
Talks
with
Church
of
Romania
[Romanian
Orthodox
Episcopate
of
America
-
Joint
Dialogue
Commission]
–
Prompted
by
the
ongoing
dialogue
between
the
two
Romanian
Orthodox
eparchies
in
North
America,
the
Episcopate
requested
the
initiation
of
direct
talks
with
the
Church
of
Romania.
As
explained
in
a
letter
to
all
parishes,
the
intent
of
such
talks
was
to
clarify
and
seek
a
mutual
understanding
of
certain
historical
issues
between
the
Mother
Church
of
Romania
and
the
ROEA,
the
plight
of
its
departed
hierarchs,
and
related
issues.
Having
received
a
favorable
response
to
its
request,
the
members
of
the
Episcopate’s
Joint
Dialogue
Commission,
led
by
His
Eminence
Archbishop
Nathaniel,
traveled
to
Bucharest,
Romania
for
meetings
on
February
25,
26
and
27,
2008.
The
Commission
is
composed
of
Very
Rev
Frs
Laurence
Lazar
(Chair),
Remus
Grama,
Catalin
Mitescu,
Ian
Pac-Urar,
and
Romey
Rosco.
While
in
Bucharest,
the
delegation
participated
in
a
Liturgy
on
St
Policarp
day
at
Antim
Monastery,
and
was
welcomed
at
Pasarea
and
Cernica
Monasteries.
On
Sunday,
February
24,
His
Eminence
was
invited
to
be
the
celebrant
of
the
Divine
Liturgy
in
the
Patriarchal
Cathedral,
assisted
by
the
Episcopate
and
Cathedral
Clergy.
The
next
day,
the
delegation
was
cordially
welcomed
by
His
Beatitude
Patriarch
Daniel
who
personally
monitored
the
ensuing
discussions
and
hosted
several
meals
and
a
working
session
in
the
Patriarchal
residence.
The
Episcopate
delegation
and
the
specially
constituted
Patriarchal
Commission
chaired
by
His
Eminence
Archbishop
(now
Metropolitan)
Nifon
of
Târgovişte,
with
His
Eminence
Archbishop
Nicolae
(Romanian
Orthodox
Archdiocese
of
the
Two
Americas),
His
Grace
Bishop
Ciprian
Câmpineanul,
Patriarchal
Vicar,
Patriarchal
Councilors
Frs.
Mircea
Uţa,
and
Ioan
Armaşi,
held
several
rounds
of
frank
discussions
in
a
promising
spirit
of
Christian
brotherhood.
The
talks
resulted
in
a
mutually
agreed
upon
statement.
In
addition
to
the
above,
and
in
terms
of
the
unwarranted
establishment
of
a
self-proclaimed
Romanian
Exarchate
in
America,
the
JDC
hopefully
helped
the
Church
of
Romania
better
understand
American
pastoral
realities.
CLICK
HERE
to
download
the
Agreed
Statement.
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