Episcopate Congress in 67th Session

During 1-4 July 1999, Very Rev. Fr. Constantin Alecse, Rector of the Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church in Los Angeles, CA and Dean of the Pacific Coast Deanery (ROEA) and the lay delegates, Reader Bill (John William ) Clark and Ing. Michael Nutza attended the 67th Session of the Episcopate Congress of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese in USA and Canada, held at the Vatra Romaneasca, Detroit, Michigan.

Clergy Conference, July 1

Clergy of the Episcopate came from across the North American Continent to attend the Clergy Conference on Thursday, July 1. The conference opened with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the "Pioneer Chapel" of the Diocesan Center, "Vatra Romaneasca."

The conference was graciously hosted in its Assembly Hall by the V.D. Trifa Heritage Center. New clergy in attendance and recognized were Archimandrite Theofan (Koja); Rev. Fr. Ioan Catana; Rev. Dns. Ionel Cudritescu and Gheorghe-Teodor Petrutiu. Memorial prayers for deceased hierarchs and clergy were offered and special anniversaries for ordination during 1999 were recalled: 50 years, V. R. Nicolae Marioncu & Victor Runcanu; 45 years, V.R. Nicolae Zelea; 30 years, Rev. Romulus Barr; 25 years, Rev. Frs. Ion Andrisoaia, Adrian Balescu-Bastea, Dumitru Ichim, John Mancantelli; 20 years, Rev. Frs. Constantin Lapustea, Ioan Sirbu, George Treff; 15 years, Rev. Fr. Joseph MacLellan; 10 years, Rev. Fr. Ion Voin; 5 years, Rev. Fr. Eugen Vasilescu.
Major topics discussed were: The sponsorship by the ROEA of a Credit Union; the establishment of new missions; a proposed "orientation training program for new clergy"; salaries for mission priests; observations on immigration procedures concerning clergy.

The Romanian language translations of the text of the Orthodox Church in America's "Clergy Guidelines" was distributed, and His Grace, Bishop NATHANIEL led the discussion about some chapters of the book. Clergy not present received a copy through the mail. The OCA "Personal Assistance Program" was reviewed and His Grace urged the clergy to take advantage of the program, the cost of which is covered by the Diocese. He also encouraged and exhorted the clergy to participate in the forthcoming All America Council which will be held in Pittsburgh.
Among particular administrative aspects, His Grace reminded the clergy that vacation time is not cumulative; that the official parish membership list must be verified by the priest who is the head of the parish administration; that parish sacramental participation is a prerequisite to be elected as a delegate to the Episcopate Congress; that parish charters and acts of incorporation must be updated to include specific references to adherence of the Episcopate By-Laws.

Dna. Psa. Mary Ellen Rosco, President of ARFORA and Mr. Thomas Rosco, President of AROY, addressed the clergy about their auxiliary organizations. Hieromonk Joseph (Morris), Spiritual Advisor to the AROY, urged the clergy to uphold and promote the AROY on the local level.

In the afternoon session, Mr. Alexander Nemoianu, Archivist of the V.D. Trifa Heritage Center, explained the goals and purposes of the institution.

After having heard the presentation about the mission clergy, the brother clergy established a "Brother to Brother" assistance program whereby those who wish will give ten dollars a month to the Department of Missions to supplement the income of their brother clergy in the mission field. A satisfying number of those present made the commitment.

Clergy were assigned to the religious services for the duration of the Congress: Rev. Fr. Dr. Catalin Mitescu, daily Divine Liturgy; Hieromonk Joseph, daily Vespers, Sunday Proskomedia and Matins; Rev. Dn. Gheorghe-Teodor Petrutiu, responses for Divine Liturgy and Vespers and Sunday Matins; Rev. Fr. Remus Grama, Sunday Matins; Rev. Dn David Wey, responses for Vespers; Confessors: Rev. Frs. John Mancantelli, Onisie Morar, V.R. Dan Nenson, V.R. Dumitru Paun, Hieromonk Daniel; Sermons, Rev. Frs. Anton Frunza, Andrew Lesko, Romey Rosco, Rev. Fr. Dr. Cezar Vasiliu, Rev. Dn. David Wey.

Episcopate Council Precongress Session

The Episcopate Council met in the evening to review the "1999 Annual Report to the Congress" and to discuss its recommendations to be presented to the Congress on the morrow. It approved of the plans of St. Anne Mission, Jacksonville, Florida, for its hall and also heard the petition of a group of faithful from the Metropolitan Toronto area to be accepted as a mission, the request of which was turned over to the Department of Missions for review and consideration.

His Grace, Bishop NATHANIEL, offered his Council some highlights of his speech which he would address to the delegates the next day, principal among which were the needs to reach out to the immigrants, to prepare the new clergy for work in the missions and to support the proposed sponsorship of a credit union.

Episcopate Congress, July 2

The Episcopate Congress was opened at 10:00 a.m. with the Service of Invocation to the Holy Spirit offered by His Grace, Bishop NATHANIEL in the upper church assembly hall; responses were given by the delegates.
The presence of Mr. Viorel Badea, Romanian Secretary of State of the Department for Relations with Romanians Outside Romania, was acknowledged.

The roll call, with the additions of special accreditations, came to 105 voting delegates. The Chair invited those delegates present for the first time to stand for recognition. Memorial hymns were offered for the deceased hierarchy, clergy, lay delegates and benefactors: John Timothy Martin, and Leontina Barbu, Rucsanda Bota, Psa. Eva Dinu, and Florence Sirb.

The agenda was approved; minutes of the previous Congress were approved . Mr. Badea addressed the Congress after which the Chair, His Grace, Bishop NATHANIEL, responded. In the next session, the information sent to the delegates about the recommendation of the Episcopate Council that the Episcopate sponsor a Credit Union was explained and a motion was unanimously passed to establish and organize a Credit Union under the auspices of the ROEA. Final determination depends on the Federal Credit Union Association.

Reports were given on the Hierarchical Schedule, Status of the Clergy, Status of the Parishes, Department of Finance, Commission on Religious Art, Department of Religious Education, Department of Missions, Department of Publications. Fr. Deacon David Oancea presented the newly printed, "The Service of Vespers," book to the assembly. Further reports were given by the Department of Christian Assistance, Vatra Administration, Vatra Property Maintenance and Improvements, Vatra Capital Improvements, ROEA/Bota Administrative Center, Camp Administration and Health Center and External Affairs. All reports were accepted as presented.

The Episcopate Council informed the Congress that it had taken the decision at the meeting held on Thursday evening to petition the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America to elevate His Grace, Bishop NATHANIEL, to the rank of Archbishop. The Congress endorsed the Council's action.

President Dna. Psa. Mary Ellen Rosco presented her report on ARFORA which is promoting a "2000 by 2000" project for membership expansion and stated that although the "Ladies Sunday" is no longer binding on the ARFORA, the Board has established a "Vatra Project" which each local auxiliary can fulfill.

AROY President, Thomas Rosco, called on the delegates to support the AROY and shared with them the general feeling of the young people of the Diocese that they enjoy being part of this larger association, AROY, and they seek the endorsement and encouragement of their parish priests and councils.

Valer Pufescu, President of the US Orthodox Brotherhood, reported on the goals of the organization and invited AROY members to "graduate" into the organization.

Rev. Fr. John Mancantelli, Spiritual Advisor to the Canadian Orthodox Brotherhood, enumerated the many charitable and educational activities sponsored by the organization. Consideration is now being given to establishing local chapters across Canada.

The Auxiliary reports were accepted with gratitude to the officers and members of the organizations.
Daily Vespers were held in the "Pioneer Chapel," with sermons given in English and Romanian; assigned clergy heard confessions in both languages.

Following the evening meal, delegates and guests were entertained by the "Miorita Dance Ensemble" from Holy Nativity Parish, Chicago, Illinois.

Congress Resumes on Saturday, July 3

New Business was brought to the floor at 9:40 a.m. with the recommendation and motion by the Episcopate Council that the Constitution and By-laws of the Romanian Orthodox Deanery of Canada be approved. Just as delegates had received the 1998 Minutes through the mail, they also had received the Constitution to preview. The Congress moved to accept the Constitution and By-laws; there were two abstentions.

The next recommendation and motion was that the Episcopate Congress authorize the Episcopate Office to enter into a Mortgage agreement for the amount of $150,000.00 using the ROEA Administration Building at 2535 Grey Tower Road as collateral. The need for this was due to the fact that anticipated funds from the Bota Foundation did not materialize, leaving the Episcopate to provide the remaining funds to cover the building cost. The motion passed unanimously.

Another recommendation and motion was that the Episcopate Congress establish a school for the preparation and further education of clergy and that such a school be charted as a legal entity, pursuant to Article VII, Section 1, (b) of the Episcopate Constitution and By-Laws. This motion passed unanimously.

The Council also moved that the educational institution be permitted to solicit funds and other assistance from the parishes of the Episcopate and from individuals. This, too, was passed unanimously.

Prior to midday recess, a video on a religious institution property available in the Detroit area was shown to the delegates.

The proposed budgets were all approved by unanimous vote: Administrative, $460,000.00; Department of Publications, $135,500.00; Department of Missions, $30,500.00; Department of Religious Education, $43,000.00.
The nominating committee presented a slate of candidates for election to the Episcopate Council for 1999-2001; the slate was accepted with the following elected: Rev. Frs. Leonte Copacia, Remus Grama, Laurence Lazar, Ian Pac-Urar, Romey Rosco and George Treff; Elizabeth Andrews, Eleanor Bujea, George Cantor, Mihai Chiriac, Dan Chirtu, William Cutshall, Nicholas David, George Dobrin, Myra Toconita, Augustin Vincent, George Fatsy and Ilie Nemes. Elected to the Church Tribunal were George Daba and George Ross and alternates Florin Farca and Nicolaie Lungociu.

Suggestions were made from the floor about various aspects of Diocesan activities; these will be given to the new Council for consideration.

The Chair thanked the delegates and Episcopate Council for its consideration to seek his elevation to the rank of Archbishop, stating that the progress and growth of the Episcopate was due to the efforts of the clergy and laity. Thanks were given to the Auxiliaries; the Department Heads; Chancery Staff; to the hosting Holy Trinity Parish, Youngstown and Annunciation Mission Parish from Niles; the Ladies Auxiliary from Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Dearborn Heights who operated the Coffee Shop; the special AROY Choir for the anticipated responses to the Sunday Divine Hierarchical Liturgy; the "Miorita Dance Ensemble" from Holy Nativity Parish, Chicago.

The Congress sessions were closed at 12:11 p.m.

Delegates enjoyed the rest of the day and were pleasantly entertained by the "Miorita" ensemble and an orchestra from the Detroit area at the dinner hour.

Sunday Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, July 4

In thanksgiving for God's many blessings on the Diocese, clergy and faithful gathered with their Hierarch to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.

Forty-one priests, four deacons and subdeacons and altar attendants served at the Holy Altar with His Grace, Bishop NATHANIEL. Responses were in Romanian and in English and a large number of faithful partook of the Holy Eucharist.

The Mothers of the Holy Dormition Monastery and V. Rev. Archimandrites Roman (Braga) and Felix (Dubneac) were also present. Each clergy was named and presented to the faithful at the conclusion of the service. His Grace preached in English and then went to the shrine of "Our Lady of the Vatra" icon and sang a folk hymn in Romanian to the All Holy Virgin.

In thanksgiving to God for his many blessings, prayers were offered on the occasion of the United States Independence Day.

Delegates and guests enjoyed the festive banquet in the Pavilion Hall. The heat of the day was intense and perhaps, for this reason, the program was short. Among the guests on the dias were Mr. Viorel Badea, representative of the Romanian Government; Mrs. Georgeta Washington, President of the Union & League; Mr. Eugene Raicu, Chairman of the Board of the V.D.Trifa Center.

The event closed with the participants singing the "Hierarchical Anthem."