Author: Jerusalem Patriarchate
May 20, 2011
THE JERUSALEM PATRIARCHATE CLARIFIES ITS POSITION VS. THE ROMANIAN PATRIARCHATE
On May 20, 2011 the Jerusalem Patriarchate clarified its decision to break off communion with the Romanian Patriarchate by severing the commemoration of His Beatitude Patriarch of Romania, Daniel and defrocking the representative of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem. The following is, in most part, a reply to affirmations made by Bishop Ciprian Campineanul following his April 2011 visit to the Jerusalem Patriarchate, and after that Patriarchate broke off communion with the Romanian Patriarchate in May 2011. This response did not await the decision of the Romanian Patriarchate regarding the problem which was discussed the very same day in the Holy Synod, underlining the firm resolve of the Jerusalem Patriarchate in this regard. Source: unofficial translation of an article found at www.romfea.gr
The Jerusalem Patriarchate clearly outlined the reasons for opposing the construction of a church in Jericho by the Patriarchate of Romania and the motives for severing the commemoration of His Beatitude Patriarch of Romania in the Diptychs, in letter no. 63/27.01.2011 His Holiness Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theofilos, to His Holiness Patriarch of Romania, Daniel, and the press release on same on her website (http://www.jp-newsgate.net/gr / 2011/05/09/3352 /).
This shows that the Patriarchate of Jerusalem does not intend to engage with the Patriarchate of Romania in an endless battle over the Internet, which would, in fact, be harmful to members of the Church.
However, it is deemed essential to provide some clarifications in response to certain points in the letter no. 2133 / 04.04.2011 of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania to His Holiness Patriarch Theofilos of Jerusalem and the Communique/ interview with His Grace, Vicar Bishop Ciprian Câmpineanul, on the Romanian Patriarchate website http://www.basilica.ro/en / news, 12 May 2011.
In terms of the Patriarchate of Romania’s contribution to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in terms of Romanian-born clerics, as claimed by the Patriarchate of Romania, the Jerusalem Patriarchate assures that there are only two such clerics, in compliance with the canons, that serve in the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Regarding the assertion that severing the commemoration of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania and the defrocking of Archimandrite Ieronim are non-canonical acts since a dialogue on the main topic had begun, was considered to be a wrong conclusion by the Holy Synod, since the Romanian Patriarch’s letter and the flavour of the meetings with the visiting Vicar Bishop Ciprian made it clear that this dialogue was understood by the Patriarchate of Romania, to lead only to legalizing the un-canonical situation.
Regarding Bishop Cyprian’s allegation about defrocking Rev. Archimandrite Ieronim as a clergyman of another jurisdiction, without his being summoned beforehand, does not apply, since the defrocking was decided upon after the offense was held in the ecclesiastical and canonical jurisdiction of Jerusalem, and this after repeated warnings.
The Jerusalem Patriarchate cannot share the opinion of Bishop Cyprian given in his interview on May 12, 2011 regarding the naming or title given to the uncanonical Altar, of “settlement” / “hostel” or “establishment” – which category? -, or even about severing commemorations over dogmatic deviations. Church Canons regarding the raising of an Altar in foreign jurisdictions are clear and explicit.
The Patriarchate of Jerusalem specifies to all Orthodox sister Churches, that they will also soon receive the respective Holy Synod decisions of April 26 / May 9, 2011 regarding the severing of commemorations, explaining that the justifying arguments, using the pretext of pilgrims to excuse the un-canonical situation created by the Romanian Patriarchate, constitutes the beginnings of a degradation in terms of its functional territorial jurisdiction and its transformation into an open field of action, as if there never was a decision for the Jerusalem Patriarchate to pastor over and shepherd the said jurisdiction, as it has throughout the centuries.
The Jerusalem Patriarchate remains firm in its decision to have full communion in Christ with the Church of Romania, when the latter will act absolutely unanimously in respecting its inviolable rights it has exercised over the centuries in the Holy Land.