Constantinople Archbishop in U.S. urges Romanian Patriarch to recognize OCU

Minister Oana-Silvia Țoiu and Archbishop Elpidophoros. Photo: Archbishop’s Facebook

The head of the Archdiocese of the Church of Constantinople in the United States, Archbishop Elpidophoros, called on the Romanian Church to recognize the OCU. His statement was made during a meeting with Romania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana-Silvia Țoiu, at the archdiocese headquarters.

The meeting took place following the sessions of the UN General Assembly. Archbishop Elpidophoros congratulated the Romanian delegation on the centennial of the Romanian Church and reminded them that it had received its autocephaly from the Ecumenical Patriarchate back in 1885.

“The Ecumenical Patriarchate never regretted that decision,” he noted. “The Church of Romania is today among the most progressive and successful churches in the Orthodox world, and its journey since being granted independence stands as an example to others.”

He expressed hope that Patriarch Daniel of Romania would, in due time, also recognize the OCU, calling such a step “a natural confirmation of the Romanian Church’s long tradition of independence and leadership in the region.”

Archbishop Elpidophoros also spoke warmly of Patriarch Daniel, whom he has known since his service as Metropolitan of Iași, describing him as “a wise hierarch and an intelligent leader of his Church.”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to a statement by the Romanian Church, recognition of the OCU would only increase pressure on the faithful in Ukraine.

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