OCA Chancery responds to questions regarding recent developments in the ROEA

In response to inquiries regarding recent developments in the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, the OCA Chancery has released the following statement.

“The question of the relationship between Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America and the Patriarchate of Romania is long standing, going back several decades. Currently, the ROEA, the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America and Canada, and the Patriarchate are in dialogue concerning their future relations. This was discussed at the 2008 Spring Session of the OCA Holy Synod, but no statements have been issued either by the Holy Synod or by the Romanian Episcopate concerning the nature or outcome of this discussion.

“A decision on the part of the Romanian Episcopate to unite with the Romanian Archdiocese, and thus with the Patriarchate of Romania, would need to be made by the clergy and faithful of the Episcopate. At that point the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America would need to affirm the free decision of the Romanian Episcopate.”