Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America

 

1. Canonical Status

Although Romanian Orthodox parishes were in existence in the United States and Canada from the turn of the century, the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America was established as a Diocese only at a general Church Congress held in the city of Detroit, Michigan, on April 25-28, 1929.

Administratively, the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America is governed by the Church Congress and the Episcopate Council, both presided by the Bishop and constituted from representatives of the parishes and of the Auxiliary Organizations.

The Episcopate and the parishes conduct their affairs in conformity with the Constitution and By-Laws, as amended and adopted by the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate National Church Congress on July 2,1994.

Legally, the Episcopate functions as a non-profit, religious organization chartered in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan.

Spiritually, the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate is headed by a Bishop, elected for life by a special electoral Congress of the Episcopate, and canonically examined and consecrated by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America.

Canonically, the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate is under the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church in America.

In matters of external relations, the Episcopate cooperates with the Department of External Relations of the Orthodox Church in America. It is a founding member of both the World Council of Churches with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

The Diocesan Center of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America is located at the Vatra Romaneasca, 2522 Grey Tower Road, Jackson, Michigan 49201-9120. The Cathedral of the Episcopate is situated in the Detroit area.

The official organ of the Episcopate is the SOLIA-THE HERALD, published monthly in the Romanian and English languages.

2. Historical Background

July 1998, marks the 60th anniversary of the dedication of "Vatra Romineasca" at Grass Lake -Jackson, Michigan. According to the Jackson Citizen Patriot, it was one of the most colorful events seen in the vicinity, with pageantry, pomp, "chanting Church dignitaries,...the magnificent appearing Bishop Policarp." Over three thousand were estimated to have been present for the weekend festivities.

These few pages of cursory reflection on the history of the past 6 decades of the "Vatra" cannot cover in detail the years of purchase, payment, neglect, litigation, stability and growth. One must look into the many albums, history books, pages of both the SOLIA Newspaper and Calendars to have a more comprehensive understanding of what the "Vatra" means to the founders, supporters and, yes, its detractors.

The entrance of the "Vatra Romaneasca" into the history of the Orthodox Romanian Community in America was certainly instigated by the arrival of the new bishop, His Grace, Policarp Morusca, and by his firm desire to establish a setting similar to that of the Hodos-Bodrog Monastery. It was from that monastic center that he came to the new world, although his heart obviously remained there.

What is also certain that with the purchase of the "Grey Tower Farm," as it was known, the many personalities in the Romanian-American community found on its spacious acreage a fitting board on which politics and religion were played and by which their own good points and flaws showed forth. It was also the arena wherein the new bishop soon discovered who supported him and who took advantage; who shared his dream, and who used it to personal advantage.

On his arrival in America, Bishop Policarp found no designated place for him as hierarch. St. Mary's parish in Cleveland, however, did provide a house for his use and there was room for an "ad hoc" bureau of sorts. The official archives of the years before his coming migrated from town to town in the hands of whomsoever was Secretary at that time.

The enthronement of the ruling Bishop in St. George parish (which celebrated its 85th anniversary in 1997) drew large crowds, "but after the celebration and the festivities were over, the Bishop, not having been provided with a suitable residence nor office, withdrew to the cramped quarters of his hotel room to there formulate his plans and ideas."

There were two different thoughts about the location of the diocesan center: that of the new bishop, recently arrived from his monastery, from the Old World, and who wished to have a residence in the country with fresh air, and, if possible, to have running water nearby, "like in the old country." He had found during his stay in Cleveland that the smog of city smoke and factories was not only unpleasant but detrimental to his health.

The other was expressed by a large number of clergy and faithful who wanted their Bishop to be seen, to be part of the metropolitan activities of the time. They saw no reason for him to be off somewhere "in the woods." These were the individuals who wanted their Church to take her place among the other churches and denominations of the New World of which they were a part and wherein they themselves felt at ease. Just a few years earlier, and during an Episcopate Congress, Fr. Stefan Opreanu spoke out for the need of a "monastery in the Episcopate." Perhaps his words still echoed in the minds of some of the faithful.

In those difficult times which followed the "Great Depression," just at the time when the Orthodox Romanians were seeking a residence for their new Bishop, the "Grey Tower Farm" was put on the market.

Once the ancestral home of the Ottawa and Chippewa Tribes, the farm was the heart of a 1,000 acre holding of the Boland Family. Of Scotch origin, whose ancestors had come to America in 1710, the family had come west and settled in the Grass Lake area on a grant from the President of the time, Jackson. In time, wealthy scions of the household built the present buildings and the water tower from which the road gets its name.

Bishop Policarp returned to Romania for an extended visit, a vacation, as it were, and he was reached via mail by a group of individuals, mostly from the St. George parish, who notified him that they had found just what he was seeking. They had taken the decisive step of putting money down on the estate, the cost of which was given at $25,000.00. Thus, John Ciolak, John Andreica Sr., Nicholas Dragos, George Zamfir and Fr. Opreanu were the moving force to bring the future "Vatra" to the attention of the Bishop.

As stated in the Album Anniversary, in the absence of the Bishop, the question of purchase should have been directed to the Episcopate Council, but no documents exist which indicate that the Council was aware of, or had any part in, the decision. The individuals who wrote to the Bishop in September of 1937, and who had put the down payment, were the ones to whom Policarp addressed himself.

In principle, he accepted the idea as long as it did not place too heavy of a burden on the diocese or put it into debt. He added, however, that if there were no water as he desired, he saw no reason to purchase it. There was no reason to buy a farm to be the center of activities for the Romanian Community.

The group responded that should he not like the property they would keep it themselves. At the same time as the "Grey Tower Farm" was on the market, 73 acres on the Big Wolf Lake were also available! Thus, they saw a solution to the Bishop's request for water. At the same time, it was reasoned, the new acreage would be a source of income by selling lots and paying off both purchases. John Maris of Detroit would act as the agent for purchasing the land at $6,500.00 and would also handle the vending of lots.

It proved to be the right combination for the Bishop. On his return, after visiting both places, he agreed that this was what was needed.

Strangely enough, the Bishop never did live at the lake and the farm did become the center of activities and continued its agricultural meandering as a working farm until 1952.

On his arrival in the United States and through his visits to the parishes, the hierarch had also gone to monasteries in Long Island and Ohio. No doubt, with the remembrance of Hodos-Bodrog fresh in mind, he saw that it was fitting that the Romanians, who have a long history of monasticism, should have their own communities in the New World.

While it is true that hierarchs often had monastics in their household, and in the monasteries rooms were set aside for visiting Bishops, it was not the case that the Diocesan Offices were located together with a monastery. Usually, a Bishop was near his cathedral in a metropolitan area.

That the actual purchase of the "Vatra" took place without much preparation or without a wider basis of action is a statement to the fact that the faithful did feel the need for such a place and the business at hand was to get organized with a central bureau from which the unification of the parishes into a cohesive Diocese could begin.

Thus, on July 3-4, 1938, on the third anniversary of his enthronement, Bishop Policarp with clergy and faithful, dedicated the "Romanian Hearth," "Vatra," amidst wonderful celebrations and general rejoicing.

The SOLIA CALENDAR 1938, actually printed in the autumn of the previous year, was filled with "Vatra." The cover depicted the "Grey Tower" and the inside back, the residence. On the inside front cover a very precise plan showed the "Vatra Romaneasca Subdivision" divided into 490 lots with such familiar sounding names for streets as: Crisana, Carpathia, Transylvania, Policarp Boulevard, Dobrogia, Bessarabia, Muntenia, Ardeal, Bucovina, Macedonia and Moldova. In addition, there was "Dacia Park" and "lancu Stadium." A wonderfully concerted publicity move to have a place for everyone and something for all.

On the third page of the calendar, John Maris advertised the "Romanian Village" which offered a place for a summer or year-round home, peace, fresh air, quiet, hours of refreshing surroundings. "First come! First served" read the advertisement. This was the opportunity that all Romanians had awaited, or was it? The "Vatra Development Company" was located on Russell Street. St. George parish was located on Russell Street, too.

Inasmuch as Fr. Opreanu was the managing editor for that particular edition of the SOLIA CALENDAR, we can attribute the 10 pages of text and photos to him but, certainly, the ideas of the Bishop were there, too.

Entitled, "Schitul Vatra Romineasca," the article covered all the conceived ideas and possible plans for the little community. It was to be a glorious work and also a monument to the Romanian presence in America under the guidance of the energetic, determined, and zealous new Bishop. Surely its location at the junction of three states was divinely designed.

"What Will Vatra Be?" is a question asked in the article. Indeed, it was to be many things, some practical, others less easily put into action. It was, definitely, a "city of prayer, an altar at which unceasing prayer to God was to be offered in thanksgiving and in petition, especially in these times when so many of our people have forgotten how to pray".

It was to be a place of pilgrimage; a home for the elderly who remained alone, feeble, without any support in their old age; a place of recreation away from the big cities and the wretched factories and polluted air where a common kitchen would serve all; a gathering place near their bishop for families and friends; a camp for children to have sports and education; a tribute to the efforts and monumental strides made by the new immigrant to America in the past three decades.

In those same pages, however, is an article "Brave Romanians of America, We Await You!" written by Julius Pascu, member of the Romanian legislature. In his closing statement he pleads: "Your place is here in your ancestral home, not across the sea."

In a wonderful little pocket prayer-book, complete with full color icon frontispiece, and reprinted in 1936 in Sibiu, Patriarch Miron Cristea included a prayer for "Those Who Have Left For America And Foreign Lands. " He prays that just as the Lord Jesus returned to Israel from Egypt, and Luke and Cleopas were told by Christ to return to Jerusalem, may God protect the Romanians in the New World from all its evils and bring them back to their parental hearth.

Some did return. As many stayed. But, perhaps, it was this desire to have the best of both worlds that pushed the faithful in America to create the "Romanian Hearth" in Grass Lake and to sacrifice for it with time, talents, and money. It was possible, they knew, to be good Romanians and good Americans, both.

In reality, what was the "Vatra Romaneasca" at that time, we are asked in the Album Aniversar? It was simply a farm which cost $25,000.00 to buy and another $5,000.00 a year to operate. The Bishop repeated that it was not necessarily to be the headquarters of the Episcopate, but apparently few believed that. The parishes in Ohio and east were not at all enthused about it; after all, "Why should the Bishop be off in some woods?" or "isolated from the people?" But then, neither were the parishes in the Detroit area that keen on it, either. Financial support did not come in from those parishes which were closest and had the most to gain. At the time, every parish had its own problems.

Indeed, it was a farm. Cows were purchased, equipment rented and a farmer was engaged to manage the property. The Episcopate Council selected a five-man committee with Paul D. Tomi in charge.

The original luster of the dedication soon faded; funds trickled in and by January of 1939, it was obvious that the building of a monastery church was out of the question.

A few months after the dedication, Bishop Policarp went to Romania, never to return, although, of course, it was not known at that time. With his departure, interest in the "Vatra" appears to have lagged. The mortgage still had to be paid and money did not come.

John Maris demanded that the conditions for selling the lots at the "Vatra Subdivision" must be changed. It was impossible to get the Romanians to buy. The land must be made available to "non-Romanians, too." The Episcopate Council, under Fr. Mihaltean changed the conditions, twice. In the end, the "Vatra Development" opened its doors to everyone with the price of the lot and thus dissipated the dream of a "Romanian Village." What remains, to this day, is the little piece of land at the edge of the lake, Policarp's hold on the "Old World."

Once again, in the Historical Review we are reminded that the "Vatra" originally was not specifically intended to be the headquarters of the Diocese. Bishop Policarp initially envisioned it primarily as a monastery, a "schite" where services would be held and a place of retreat for the hierarch. In fact, on July 3, 1938, fifty years ago, His Grace, Policarp, dedicated a cornerstone marking the place where he intended to build a church to the Mother of God, "Schitul Maicii Domnului."

Originally set into a troitza, the stone now rests under the altar of the major church today. Even though the monastery church did not come to be, the chapel to the "Pioneers" and the large upper church mark the dream of the first bishop as erected by his successor, Bishop Valerian D. Trifa.

When Policarp left for Romania, he also left behind the beginning of an organization. After almost four years among clergy and faithful, he left something fermenting. Still fresh with the experience of the disciplined and staid life of the Church in Romania, aware of the "way it should be," he laid enough rough planks for a corduroy road over which the next generations would travel. He had brought with him that connection, that living tie with the Church which slowly came to dawn in his pastorate in the New World. Some acknowledged this and upheld him; others recognized it and opposed; still others felt that "this is America" and things must be different and the simple man from Hodos-Bodrog,. to them, did not understand.

The mortgage payments were somehow met, to the credit of those in charge, and from 1939 to 1944, the debt was paid off. New moneys were now to go to construction of the church. The leaders in charge decided that, to better promote the idea of building a church, there should be added the project of the home for the elderly and the planting of new fruit trees, the produce of which would bring in added income. A sum of $35,000.00 was accumulated; however, those visiting the "Vatra" did not see any signs of building activity, nor were the fruit trees evident. The moneys slowed down.

An unusual ploy speaks of the time: two trucks loaded with bricks were conspicuously parked at the "Vatra" during a Congress, giving the impression that work was to begin immediately. However, the day after the activities were over, the trucks drove back, loaded, to Jackson.

Groups of the "Friends of the Vatra," supporters of the Bishop, came out to do some cosmetic work but no large maintenance took place. On the contrary, interest fell and the role of the " Vatra" as the center of the diocese was left undefined.

When it was obvious that the Bishop would not return or that he would be unable to come back to his flock, the administration fell totally into the hands of the Episcopate Council. With the cryptic consecration of Fr. Andrei Moldovan to the episcopacy and his return to the United States, the "Vatra" fell into his hands and the long struggle for rights over the property began. Some were indignant, others said: "Let him have it and eat it with garlic sauce". It was the time of the greatest neglect of the property, a time of chaos and separation, of frustrations and animosity. More money was spent in the courts on the case than on the "Vatra" itself.

Delegates at the 1952 Congress held in Detroit were so angered at the presence of Bishop Moldovan at the Vatra that they drove out in large numbers and, outside the gates, protested. Not long after, by court order, Andrei Moldovan left the "Vatra" for the last time.

The "Vatra" had become like a "new Zion" for the Romanian-American community over which they fought court battles and whose existence was finally determined by the laws of the American judicial system.

The "Grey Tower" had become the torch of the Statue of Liberty in the midst of the rolling wheat fields of Michigan to the Romanian immigrants and their progeny; individuals who had fled tyranny and oppression and who in their hearts knew that no government, no Church authority, no force or power external to their own will and decision could wrench from them the freedoms which they enjoyed in the New World. The "Vatra" became a symbol of every home and parish, each of which looked to the "Grey Tower" for verification of what America stands for, and most assuredly, what it stands for to the immigrant and refugee.

As in the past with Patriarch Cristea and others who urged the return of the immigrant to the hearth of his parental home, Church authorities did not listen to, would not hear what it was that the Orthodox Romanian communities in the New World had been saying before and after Bishop Policarp: "We are Romanians but we are also Americans and our homes, our churches and diocese belong to us and we will, by God's grace, shape and mold our destiny in America".

Bishop Policarp had not returned, Bishop Moldovan had not been elected, and the diocese needed a titular head to continue the work of salvation. Viorel D. Trifa, a theologian who had not even sought the office, was one of the candidates and, at the will of God and the people, became the auxiliary to the absent Policarp. In his election, the hand of God directed the Episcopate from disorder to order, from disunity to unity, from neglect to good stewardship. He took up the cross left by Policarp and planted it more firmly in America. He, too, was capable, energetic, enthusiastic, and zealous, and was the man for the turbulent times to guide the ark of salvation, standing steadfastly at the helm.

As with Bishop Morusca, so too with Valerian; at the time of his consecration in Philadelphia in 1952, there was no official residence for the hierarch. He also lived for a while in Cleveland, and then an attempt to locate him in Detroit failed because the Episcopate could not scrape together the $500.00 down payment for a residence.

The Episcopate Council decided that until a residence could be bought in the city, "Vatra" would have to serve as a temporary residence for Bishop Valerian. At the time, the house was fit neither for layman nor Bishop; but, nevertheless, at its August meeting the Council affirmed that it would be used as the offices and residence.

With practical zeal and determination, Valerian surveyed the properties and buildings and instituted a long-range program of renewal and elimination. Traian Lascu, in his book Valerian says that at that time people called the "Vatra" the "white elephant and the drain on the Episcopate."

The building which could be put to use first was the residence; and new plumbing, electrical work, cleaning, repairs of all sorts were made, and landscaping with ground improvements. The livestock was sold and farming as the way of life at the "Vatra" came to a halt. Indeed, the center of the Romanian Community would not be a farm! The only vestige remaining, and a positive one at that, was that the Bishop put the arable land into the U.S. Land Bank Program, profit from which paid taxes.

In 1953, the following year of his arrival, the builder-Bishop remodeled the horse barn into a summer kitchen and a dinning hall naming it "Avram lancu." The following year, on the program as the renewing of the caretaker's house into a dormitory for students and for the cooks and ladies. This was the building which became the "ARFORA House."

A cemetery was laid out in 1955,with places for clergy and faithful alike. A memorial to Bishop Policarp was erected, as were special monuments to Fr. John Trutza, one of the fighters for the Episcopate and the Vatra, and to the pioneer missionary priest, Moise Balea, who are buried in the cemetery. Then followed the construction, almost 20 years later, of the chapel and church to the Mother of God. It was inaugurated with festivities on May 5, 1957.

The house on Lee Road and Grey Tower corner was cleaned and set aside for "retired" clergy of the Episcopate. During these years, the Archbishop called on the faithful to come and give a hand.

They came with their own practical talents and, together with their hierarch, set things in good order. Fellowship was enhanced, friends made, youth bonds forged and the diocese began to work as a family under the watchful eye of Valerian. It was not just the diocesan center, it was "their" center.

Those buildings which were no longer necessary for the diocese were pulled down; the large barn became additional dormitory space and was renamed after the now legendary American General of Romanian origin, George Pomutz. A playground for the children was laid out and, in 196 1, the cinder paths were paved with asphalt.

"Grey Tower" water facility is the namesake for the road which runs in front of the property, north and south. The tower is one of four remaining in southeastern Michigan. An ice-house attached to it was razed and in 1970 a large pavilion suitable for holding up to 600 was constructed particularly for the Congress banquet and programs. Recently, in 1984, a stage at the cost of $26,000 was added to the building. The tower was reinforced and steps replaced so that people could climb to the lookout platform at the top and view the beautiful "Vatra" grounds and area. In it, under the roof, were hung and electrified the bells from Harper's Ferry community.

During his years of travel to the parishes and in his visits, Archbishop Valerian became more and more concerned for the records of the past. He saw the young generation throwing away precious archives and written facts which should be kept for the next generation to tell of the founding efforts. True, one of the many projects thought up by Bishop Policarp had been for a "research" center, but it was the determination, the historian-scholar Valerian and the right time which gave birth to the Romanian-American Heritage Center at the Vatra. Whatever the first Bishop had in mind, it was his successor, with more years of experience in America, with love for the efforts of the "old-timers" and persistent insistence that made the idea take form.

The Center was not to be a part of the Episcopate so that it did not take on a specifically "church" orientation and would be, perhaps, more acceptable as an institution to others. Nevertheless the Diocese put up the first $50,000.00: $25,000 from the Episcopate and $I 2,000 from ARFORA and AROY each. Within six months of the initial motion of the Council in April, and after the ratification by the Congress, $ 100,000.00 had been collected for the Center. The plans were made for a modem building, the first on the "Vatra" grounds, to be used all year round, and a contract for $174,962.00 was signed. A far distant sum from the original $31,500.00 for the "Grey Tower Farm" and lake properties.

Part of the summer activities at the "Vatra" and of major concert to- the Bishop and the parishes was the education of the youth. In this respect, the simple camps for "Altar Boys" and "Church School Teachers," became complicated by the State of Michigan and its stringent rules which either authorized or denied the State certificate of operation.

After years of service, the Pomutz Dormitory was found to be below standards for safety. The "Vatra" buildings are all of wood, the fire fighters distant, and the condition of the building unsafe. Either bring it up to standards, build a new one, or close the camps. The Episcopate Congress voted to build another dormitory, modern, fire-safe and a symbol of continued concern for the education of the young people. The dormitory was designed and constructed with funds provided, in part, by the desire of the dissolved St. Simeon parish of Detroit by the auxiliaries, and by Episcopate parishes. It has room for sixty people and cost approximately $165,000.00.

The cemetery, always modest in size and landscaping, is used for funerals, and services are held there on Memorial Day and other occasions. To beautify the area and to be a permanent kind of "open chapel," a Memorial Pavilion was constructed in the old cemetery. Built of wood and held together with pegs, the pavilion shelters an altar table, and was built in memory of those who died without proper Christian rites under the communist oppressors. It cost approximately $25,500.00 and was erected by local craftsmen and sculpted by hand.

Across the broad lawns of the "Vatra" are scattered a number of shrines. At each end of the Grey Tower Road stands a troitza as in the Old Country.

Opposite the Grey Tower, and sponsored by AROY, a troitza was erected to the memory of the pioneers. It was dedicated in 1958 arid is now a favorite site at which to have one's photo taken. Between the altar of the upper church and the road stands the Memorial to the Bessarabian martyrs, those Romanians carried off to Siberia, deported under the harshest conditions. It is a place for quiet meditation on "man's inhumanity to man."

In the center of the new cemetery section is a small mausoleum-chapel built by the Schileru family and available for services on inclement days. It is maintained by the family and was built by it.

The coming of Archbishop Valerian to the Vatra" brought with him renewed interest by old and young alike. Fr. John Toconita, Secretary, was a favorite of the youngsters and being so much a part of the camp administration, he also prevailed upon the young men to come and do jobs, to work on off-days, to prepare the grounds for the occasions.

The educational programs expanded from that for "Altar Boys" to mixed camps and camps for boys or girls. The majority of young people of the Episcopate have been to the "Vatra" for courses, made friends, and found their place in the Church.

Although not real "pilgrimages," retreats, educational and spiritual gatherings somehow complete Bishop Policarp's idea of the "Vatra" as a center for spiritual and educational opportunities.

The annual Memorial Day observation is part of the "Vatra's" yearly calendar with appropriate services held at the AROY Monument to the Soldiers at the flagpoles. In addition services are held in the chapel and in the cemetery. A traditional "agape" is held in lancu Hall. The visitors and friends are mostly from the Tri-State area.

The major religious event is the feast of the church, the "Birth of the Ever Virgin Mary," September 8th. The Divine Liturgy is served followed by an " agape" and then the Akathist to the Mother of God and the Mystery of Holy Unction. This particular usage of the sacrament is common to the Romanian practices and it has been adopted by the Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, which in turn made the practice common to parishes in the area.

The largest event of the year is the annual Church Congress which is also one of the causes for the construction of some of the newer buildings on the grounds: the Grey Tower Pavilion, in particular. During the Congress every building is put to use, and, in the more recent years, the Center has opened its doors to meetings. It is at the Congress that clergy and delegates, visitors and friends, come together in larger numbers and discuss the Church and matters of interest for the Diocese.

One of the other most used buildings is the ARFORA House. For whatever camp, Congress, retreat, or meeting, ladies of the National ARFORA nestle into " their" house for the event and use it for a dormitory, recreation salon, and gathering place. It also houses the infirmary. The ladies have traditionally been the ones who have come to clean the Vatra, purchase the household needs, and see to the good appearance of the "Big House." The ARFORA, the oldest auxiliary of the Episcopate, celebrating its own 60th anniversary this year, has been the staunchest supporter of the Vatra with time, money, and love.

On this occasion of the 60th anniversary of the dedication of the Vatra, we find that it has come to serve in more than a "temporary" manner. While not a monastery, it has provided some opportunities for pilgrimage and prayer; while not being a home for the elderly, it is a home away from home for meeting friends and making acquaintances; while not being a recreational park, it has been the joy and relaxation for many to stroll under the many and varied trees, among the flower beds and has a good reputation for sobriety; while not being a seminary nor school or culture, it has provided religious education and awareness of roots.

The "Vatra" history as an active force in the life of the Episcopate begins with the pastorate of His Eminence, Archbishop Valerian. Before his time, it was a farm whose existence was purely financial and without the presence of the Bishop had no attraction to the entire Diocese. Only in 1952, after Fr. Vasile Hategan protested that he had not come 500 miles to hear debates about livestock and crops did the Congress itself, and therefore the Episcopate, take the "Vatra" seriously and changed its course. With the arrival of the second Bishop, Valerian, it did become a focal point, a rallying point, a true "hearth" for the Orthodox Romanians in America. On the whole, it is the work of the clergy and faithful, carefully orchestrated and directed by the Archbishop to produce a harmony of effort, talent and dedication to the Holy Orthodox Church.

On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, members of the Diocese are well aware that they must be as vigilant today as were those who fought for the Vatra in earlier years. Freedom can be abused, intrusions made. The American courts were right in their judgement of affirming that the Orthodox Romanian community has a right to not only property and objects but to the way they live their lives, make decisions concerning their churches and societies and guard the freedoms for which their own sons and daughters served in the military through the various wars.

After December 22, 1989, when the former dictator of Romania was deposed, the spirit of democracy was felt at the "Vatra Romaneasca" too. The head of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, His Grace Bishop Nathaniel, appealing to all His priests, parishes and missions, to other American organizations and charitable institutions, to many well-to-do individuals on both continents, with the help of thousands of valunteers, was able to send to Romania, financial help, valued at more than 68 million United States of America Dollars. Thus, the diocesan headquarters fulfilled its calling of "Vatra Romaneasca", not only for the Romanian American Orthodox faithful, but also to the newly freed Romanian Nation, awaiting such a brotherly love from the Orthodox Romanian-Americans in Diaspora.

The 60th anniversary is a time to reflect on the past, to give thanks to God for the cornerstone laid by Bishop Policarp, for the structure erected by Archbishop Valerian and to ask his heavenly protection and blessing that the "Vatra Romaneasca" remain a place for prayer, education and the center of unity of the Episcopate, a tribute to the now 90 decades of work of Romanian-Americans, an "unifying force for all."

+ Bishop Nathaniel