Discussions held at Romanian Episcopate Headquarters

Bishop Seraphim, Protopresbyter Robert Kondratick, and the Very Reverend David Brum, participate in a discussion with Archbishop Nathaniel and the members of the Romanian Episcopate’s Joint Dialogue Commission on September 7, 2005.

GRASS LAKE, MI [ROEA] — Based upon the June 23, 2005 communique released by the Joint Dialogue Commission of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America and the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America and Canada [www.roea.org] concerning their past history, present relationship, and hopes for the future, His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate requested the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America to appoint a commission to meet with representatives of the Romanian Episcopate so that the communique that had been issued could be further discussed.

In response to Archbishop Nathaniel’s request, the Holy Synod appointed His Grace, Bishop Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada, Protopresbyter Robert S. Kondratick, the Very Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky, and the Very Rev. David Brum as members of the special commission.

A joint discussion took place at the Episcopate’s headquarters, Vatra Romaneasca, on September 7, 2005. In addition to Archbishop Nathaniel, Bishop Seraphim, Protopresbyter Robert Kondratick, and the Very Reverend David Brum, also participating in the discussion were members of the Episcopate’s Joint Dialogue Commission: the Very Rev. Laurence Lazar, the Rev. Romey Rosco, the Rev. Remus Grama, the Rev. Catalin Mitescu, and the Rev. Ian Pac-Urar. Father Kishkovsky was unable to attend.

Those present discussed and shared information concerning the ongoing bi-lateral dialogue between the Romanian Episcopate and the Romanian Archdiocese. Also discussed was the question of ecclesial unity in North America, particularly as it relates to the respective dioceses, their shared heritage and history, and their common mission in North America. A report on this meeting will be presented to the Holy Synod at its fall 2005 session.