Note.

THE SEARCH FOR A BISHOP

A critical period in the history of the Romanian Orthodox Epis-
copate of America which led to the election of a new Bishop in
1951.
This year rmuks the 25th anniversary 0/ the leadership o{ our Diocese
by His Grace Bishop Valerian D. Tri!a, llis Qcoompfishnwnl$ duril/g this
period are welllinown and ale /lot the subjn'( o/this writillg. Less kllown
is the crilicaJ period in Ihe history 0/ our Dux:t!st! which kd to the calling' ' ,I
of a young Romanian immigrant to the helm 0/ our Church. As Q cOn/rl- :
bution to the history of our Episcopate we are publishillg the following :: ~

preliminary srudy focusing on that periVli. .
Hist.wical Background
Immigration of larger Romanian groups to the United States began
about 1900. It is estimated that approximately 350,000 Romanians made
their homes in the United States and Canada. The greal majority of them
were Orthodox Christians.
As a nalural result of their common beliefs and interests, they organ- ,
ized religious communities, which they called Romanian Orthodox
,
Parishes.
Notable is the faci thai the parishes were fOlUlded by laymen on
own initiative, without any immediaTe help or counsel from the
Orthodox Church in Romania.
For many years, the only tie the American Romanian
Parishes had with the Mother Church in Romania was the request to
to America ordained priests to serve their spiritual needs. Some P " ! " ' ~
came from Romania sent by their respective Bishops but during Ihe I
twenty-five years of their exislence quite a few parishes had 10 rely
some cantors who were ordained as priests, mostly by Russian Bishops
the United Siaies and Canada.
Administratively, the Romanian Orthodox parishes operated as '"?:
profit corporations, collecting monies and ' . They
their own priests. As a resull, they functioned i of
other, enjoying full autonomy. The only connection among ",J> ..
was the common origin and the sameness of faith and Iraditions.
AHempts were made to organize the parishes al least into a"',",,,
Bul those efforts did nol bring the desired resuJls. However, the need
generally felt both by Ihe clergy and the parishes. On February 24,
13 priests and 57 parish lay delegates met in Youngstown, Ohio and
mously decided to place the Romanian Orthodox parishes in
90
under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Primate in Bucharest , Romania,
thus realizi ng a unifled Church here . There was no follow-up to this Memo.
randum. On April 25. 1922, the clergy met .gain in Youngstown, Ohio
and sent another Memocandum to the Holy Synod asking for the establish
ment of. Romanian Orthodox Episcopate in America, and another group
of clergy met In Cleveland, Ohio, In April , 1923, trying to found an
Episcopate even withuut the help or approval from Romania.
Only on May 29, 1928,dld the Holy Synod of Romania decide to send
The Rev. Father Tnndatir Scorobetz and Dr. loan Mateiu to study the
situation of the parishes in America. Father Scorohetz found the desire to
establish an Episcopate very much llIiYC and consequently, a general
Church Congress was called for April 25, 1929. Twenty priests, toget her
with lay delegates from the parishe3, came to the Congress and after days
of discussions, consulluions and dellberations deci ded unanimously to
establish an Autonomous Missionary Episcopate under the jurisdiction of
the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
TIle Holy Synod approved and ratified the establishment of the Diocese
by Decree No. 10219 of November 1930 and an Ad lnterim Committee
under the presidency of TIle Rev. Fr. John Truta of Cleveland, Ohio was
appointed to gove rn the Episcopate un til a Bishop could be found. Under
this Commi ttee a Constitution ByLaws were compiled and approved
by the 1932 CtMlgress held In ClcYl:land, Ohio.
Regarding the election uf the Bishop the Bylaws uf the EpiSl:upnte
provided In Article VII, thac
AI Ihe Iwad 0/ lite Ramal/iall Orthod/JX H{Jiswpate 0/ 'he United
Stales/md Onwa sland$ iu 1Jj$IIUP, will) is all ex-u/ficiu member uf
fhe Jlufy Synod of l ite Runutnitm Orthodux Autvl!f!lllwimu Church
and uf Ihe Natil)lwl olUr"', OJIIgreu, al/d sllall be de('ICIi by tllf!
OIurch Congn'$f of INJrisilf!J belonging tv tills Hpiswpate, called
thiny in advQmx, (md Wesid('I1 by a srx:cia/ delegate of
IIQly Synod; the Biuwp-ch'C1 ulalf receive, if /1{' "wets all tlU! cat/on
it'al f't'l{uirements, lite call1Jll iro/ illl'f.!slilure from l/is {folilwJS the
Palriardl of the Romaniall Ortlltx/ox Church, III uccurda/lce with
Iradil/OIIY of tlw Orthodox Church.
Considering the special circumStltnccs in this cuunl ry and the distanoe
from the Mother OlUu:h, the newly formed Diocese received and enjoycd
from the very start an aut onomous status. 1bc highest administrat ive
aut hority of the Diocese was invested in the Church Congress. coosisting
of delegates of the parishes in the proport ion of 1/3 clergy and 2/3 laity.
The Partriarchatc in Bucharest had only spirit ual jurisdicliun. However.
the extension and the limits of this ; uri sdiction were not specifi cally deli
neated.
Six years after the establishing of the Di ocese, in 1935, the Adlnterim
Committ ee and the Patriarchate .greed on a person to serve as Bishop in
America. He was the Very Revccend Archimandrite Poliearp P. Morusca,
91
the abbot of a monastery in Transylvania. Archimandrite Morusea was
ordamed on March 24, 1935, as Bishop Policarp, and arrived in America in
June of that same year. He was enthusiastically accepted by the Episco
pate's parishes and was enthroned as Bishop at the Church Congress held
on July 4,1935 in Detroit, Michigan. .;
Bishop Policarp was salaried by the Patriarchate in Romania as a
missionary Bishop and led the Diocese for four years. During this time the .
relations between the Romanian Orthodox parishes in America and the '
Mother Church in Romania were most cordial and beneficial to everyone. ;;
The many activities of Bishop Policarp are the subject of another study .
For this chapter suffice to say that regarding the election of a Bishop for
the Diocese, Bishop Policarp had his own opinion. At the Church Congress '
held in July, 1936, in Youngstown, Ohio, he requested the adoption of a
new Constitution and By-laws, including the following Article
with the election of a Bishop. It says:
At the head of the Romanian Orthodox Missionary Episcopate
stands its Bishop. The Bishop will be elected by the Holy Synod,
from amongst titled and wellprepared men, who fulfill the con
ditions of the laws and statute of organization o{ the Romanl4n
Orthodox Church. He may participate at the sessions of the Holy
Synod and of other religious corporations with rote in
all matters concerning his jurisdiction.
A Special reguilltkm, prepared by the Holy Synod, will determine
the circuit of activity and competence o{ his Episcopacy. The
missionary Bishop the Metropolitan Grammata and the
canonical from His Grace, the Most Blessed Ptztriarch 0/
the ROmllnian Orthodox Church, so thllt he am be installed on the
Diocesan throne by the delegate of the Metropolitan of Ungro
VlahiJI. (Article 6)
"
,
,
,
-:
"
Reservations and even opposition were voiced regarding this change in
the ByLaws but Bishop Policarp was categorically in favor of the amend." t
ment and he even conditioned his further remaining as Bishop of the ;
Diocese on the acceptance of that new Constitution and ByLaws. It was ;'
accepted. . .;
I
,
The Episcopate Without A Bishop
In August, 1939, Bishop Policarp left for a visit to Romania and be- '
cause of the war in EUrope he could not return to his See in America. The i
Diocese remained without a Bishop for many years.
During this time the administrative responsibility fell on the showders
of the Church Congress and Its Executive Board known as the Episcopate
Presiden., of the Episcop.ate Council was the Rev: Fr. Simeon
Mihalt1an of Indiana Harbor, IndIana. Under the leadership of Father j
Miha1tian the Council dealt with current matters, particularly with the
Vatra Romaneasca administration, and tried to solve parish problems as _. :
they arose. }
92 :
,
With the exception of 1943, Olurch Congresses were called yearly to
solve major problems and to establish policies. ContKts with Bishop Polio
carp were practically impossible, especially due to the fact that Romania
wu in a state of war with the Allied Powel'1,
At the end of the war major political changes occurred in Romania
i!Self. Under political and military pressures from the Soviet Union,
Romania became a Satelite with a Communistic regime. In 1947 and 1948
new laws were promulgated giving the Communist Government full con
trol over the Churches. Althougll the Communists did not engage in
violent persecution against the Orthodox Chu.rch, they succeeded to make
it ,ubservient to the regime. This was accomplished by putting old Bishops
into forced retirement and by the "election" of new ones more inclined to
collaborate with the State.
One of the first Bishops to f.1I yictim of the new political system wu
Policatp. He WI! not permitted to return to his See in America and
through governmental Decree (published In the Oeneid Monitor No.
136), he wu placed ex-officlo in retirement. No reuoo was giYen for hIs
retirement.
Such a decision was neyer communicated to the American Diocese,
where hopes were stiU running high. that the canonical Bishop would reo
tucn to his flock.
Those hopes proved to be incalistic bccaUJC in February, 1947, the
following official letter from the Romanlan Legation in Washington, D.C.
was received by the Episcopate Council.
Rev. Simien MiJuJitiJur, President
Council 0/ the RomaniJur Orthodox Episcoptlte
1614 Elm Stlret
East Chialgo, Indiana
Mr, President:
17 FebnllUy 1947
We Mile the honor to in/orm you tluzt upon the ncommcndation
0/ His Grace NiC'Odim, the Patriarch 0/ Romania, the Minisfl'}' 0/
CUlts has approved the appointment 0/ Bishop Dr. Anttm NiCtJ as
Bishop u/the Orthodox Church of AmeriCtJ. Please (ake mellSUN!J
for the reccpl/Qn 0/ His Gra,'t!, whose a"ivai will be announccd at
the proper lime.
Please accept, Mr. President, the ilSSUltlnCCS 0/ high regard.
(signed) Parnfil Riposanu, Councilor 0/ the Legation.
'The members or the Episcopate Council saw in this an encroachment
upon the aulonomy of the American Diocese and an undesired meddling
on Ihe part of Ihe Romanian gowmment in Ihe religious lire of American
cilizcnl.
The Episcopate's Council was called by Fr. Mihaltian in special session
on February 21 , 1947. At this meeting the Council unanimously adopted
the following resolution:
93
The Council 0/ the Episcopate, meeting in speciol seWon, lOT the
COtWderution 01 tin offidal addrefJ 01 the Romanitln Legation in
Washington, through which \oW \oWre inlanned about the coming 01
8WJop Antim Nica, categorically remonstrates the sending here 01
tlIty bi$hops or priem umolk:ited by U$. Ow decision /s based upon
the rights provided in the Statute 01 our Ep/$COpate tmd in the
ronscioumeu 01 OUT duty toward the vilal interests olour Oturch in
America, and in OUT rights as American citizens. We beg you not 10
diuegard our request $0 that ineptUable consequen/YJ and regie/luI
results will ~ avoided.
(Minutes 01 the Romanilln Orthodox Episcopate CoWlcil).

Considering the magnitude of the problem, a special session of the .
Church Congress was caned and held on March 2g, 1947. in Detroit.
Michigan. The Congress was presided by Fr. Mihaltian with the Rev. Fr.
Andrei Moldovan acting as recording secretary. "
By unanimous vote the Congress:
a) rejected the interference of the Romanian Legation in the Romanian
Orthodox Church affairs;
b) refused to accept Bishop Antim Nica;
c) requested the return of Bishop Policarp to hi s post;
d) declared the complete administrative autonomy of the Romanian
Orthodox Episcopate of America in all of its relationships with the .;
Holy Synod of Romania; I
e) ratified the decisions of the Episcopate Council to put into effect "
the original Constitution and ByLaws adopted by the 1932 Church
Congress;
f) appointed a commission to write and propose new Bylaws for the ,
Episcopate. I
The Holy Synod of Romania was informed of the decision of the "l
Church Congress through an offidal communication sent by the secretary ~
of the Congress on May J I, 1947. t
Patriarch Nicodim of Romania did not in$l5t further on sending a ,
Bishop from Romania. In addition, news reached the Episcopate Council j
that Bishop Antim Nica wiU be denied entry visa into the United States. ~
~
In Search for a Bishop -
In spite of the fact that the Church Congress had requested the return
of 8i3hop Policarp and that he did not resign his Office, there were .tOme '
members of the Episcopate Council who doubted that he would ever come
back and, consequently. initiated the search for a new Bishop.
Among the clergy serving at that time under the jurisdiction of the
Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, there were some priests who ,
met at least one canonical requirement for a candidate to the Bishopric.
They were unmarried. widowed or belonged 10 the monastic order" It was, .
however, clear that many of them lacked other qualifications and trying to ;
94
select one of them for candidacy would OpeD the pandora box of jeal-
ousies and intema] differences.
Following this line of thOUght, the Episcopate Council, without pre-
liminary consultations with the clergy or parish delegates, contacted the
Very Reverend Archimandrite Teom lonescu, a Romanian priest serving
the parish in Paris, France. Archimandrite lonescu declared himself willing
to move 10 the United States and to accept the election as Bishop at the
following Church Congress scheduled for July 4, 1947.
Many of the delegates to the Congress were surprised by this move since
they felt that the Congress still owed aUegiance to Bishop Policarp. To
complicate matters, the discovery was made that between the candidate-
tobe and the leadership of the Council a secret deal was made in the sense
that, if elected, Archimandrite lonescu will un<Xlndilionally maintain the
same persons as members of the Council and that he will appoint as hi.
Vicar the Rev. Fe. Stefan Opreanu from [)etroit, Michigan. After a heated
debate during which other wrong-doings by the members of the Council
came to the surface, the Congress dismissed the old Council and excluded
from the agenda the election of a new Bishop. In a mood of compromise,
Archimandrite Teom lonescu was, however, e ~ t e d chairman of an Ad
Interim Commission charged to administrate the Diocese for a period of
one year. The Commission included some former members of the Council
and some new ones.
This Commission had a short nfe. A few months after the Congress,
Archimandrite Ionescu resigned from the oroce of Chairman of the Com-
minion and moved to Detroit, Michigan as parish priest of St. Simion
Oturch. A new Chairman was selected in the person of Father John Trutta
of Oeveland, Ohio.
Under the leadership of Fr. Trutza the Ad lnterlm Commission took
the attitude that Bishop Policarp Is still the canonical head of the Diocese,
and the only thing to do at this time is to increase the efforts to have him
back from Romania. Repeated interventions were made in thaI direction
but without results.
In view of this and feeling that another attempt mighl be made from
Bucharest to impose a bishop unwanted by the Diocese, the Commission
sped the work on the new ByLaws and distributed a project to be con
sidered at the Clurch Congress of July 4 and 5, 1948. The Congress was
held under the presidency of Fr. Trutza and had as the mlln item on the
agenda the adoption of amendments to the 1936 By-Laws.
On the subject of the Bishop, the Church Congress voted unanimously
the following article :
At the head of the Episcopate is the Bishop as the spiritllill canon-
ical leader. The Bishop is elected by secret ballot by the Church
Congress of the parishe$ in a special electoral semon called specifi
cally for such a purpolll!, 10 days before the meetills date.
95
Omdld4tes for the position of Bishop must bt only male pentU
more tluln 21 yem1 of age, possessing mmked spiritual traits, with
high trainlns and theolotlCGIlChooliltg, and who win fulf1llthe con-
ditions required by tM Orthodox Owrch ClIMIIJ conming BU-
hopI, and persons who Iuwe led an UJUt4iMd, uemplmy, mmd life,
and who Iuwe dutinguiJhed themselves through a rich religious and
cuJlUrtIlactivity in the lmIice of the OIurch,
The Position of Bishop Policup
Directly and indirectly Bishop Policarp, who wu still in Romania,
~ a m e d about the devel opments in the American Oioceae_ 'Hi! teactioo b
expressed In ltutortd Letter addressed to all the faithful and In another
one addressed to Father Trutta.
No.2JIJ947
Dear Reverend Fathen,
HollOTed lPirilwll childNn
and my dear Brothers;
Postoral Letter
O'alva, July 30,1947
From the "Amtri" newspaper 1 ldiiied aboot the delJbmztJoIIJ
of the OIurch Con,tnu held althe atrQ Rom.!M.ucI be'1Wft!'I! July .
3 and .5 of thu yur. SOUA. the newsptIpU founded by' me, II not .
recellled here and thotA! who he.1d posseuion of the INdenhlp in our
Epl$copale, since my departure from there (lnd until the calling of
lhl! Con,tn$$, did not see fit to keep the Bbhop Informed, j
God in His goodneu tau, C4re that InIth and Justice will nol be ~
put 10 Jhiune, even ifforQJhorttimethey mlght bedegrtMied. From ~ \
personal lelten senl to me by priem and laymen 1 ~ infonned
about the lurppeningt at the O:mgreJf and even btfore the Co/'ClTU1
From flll my hurt 1 am grateful to the brother printl and my
good Jplrltuoi children, present or not at the CotWe$$, ihat they ,
have nol forgotlen their spiritual father, but they have even removed _"
from of/lce those that have done the utmost JO IhIlt 1 CIUInOt rerum ",
to my mlsJion Ihere and I am lurppy 1hi1t you have not given elY-
denu to the recommendation coming from here, encroaching upon ,
the rights of the head of the Romanian Episcopale In Amerlar. '
I am rwprised IhiI, t/rOtA! who were at the leadership of the EpiJ. _:
copote did not repnrt to the Congress what 1 wrote to them, nor did ,j
they convey my appetll to the CongreJ$, 1/ they would have done 10, j
maybe' the discuuioll$ would have been Morter and the JituQtlon 1
would have been clarified JOOner, 1
However, now, in my capacily of titular Bishop, I am ,iIIlng my .
bJeulil& to the Ad-Interim CommisJion elected by the CoIW't'Jf to .
function and wt"k with Cdnonictli authority for the good of the
OIutrh, for the progreu of tM EpiJcopate and for the benefil of flll ~
96
faithful and of all parldles, until thot time when the politicol con-
ditions and the circumstances will permit the OW/op to return to his
See and when the Episcopate Ccuncil could be lega.lly.re-constituted,
I did not know about the list of "condidlltes" to the Office of
Bimop In America sent to you by His Holiness the PolriJuch (n $pite
of the vote of confidence given me by the Church Ccngress of MlUCh
28th of this year, as though I were no longer alive. It is true thot I
proposed to the Holy Synod to consult the Church Congress regard
il'lg the Bishop for America and if the Congress would be against my
returning there, the Congress be called to elect a Bishop from among
the "condid4tes." I do not insist to be spiritual father by force! $ut I
do nQt accept, without protelt, to be removed from my Office
except by the Ep/$COpate Congress which accepted me in 1935 and
gove me a vote of confidence in 1947. I thank again all those whc
did not lose faith in me even now and who hove removed from the
agenda of the Congress the election of a B/mop.
I do hope tlult steps will be taken and that Ihe obstacles prevent
ing my return will be renwved $0 that as soon os possible I wi#,be
back there where I \WS entrusted to the leadership, by the Grace of
God and wilh the acceptance of all those concerned, surrounded and
supported by the love of all the good priests and laymen in Americo.
Until thot time I would like to expreJS my joy for the efforts
made for the unification of all and for the zeal to 'draw together the
Episcopate and the Union and League. I had tried a reconciliation
,
between the tWQ organizations through their respective representa-
tives immediately after my arrival there in 1935. But a reconcililltiOn'
was not possible between those who engaged in Court actwns ogainsl
each olher . .. Now I congratulate Mr. N. IJragomir, the vice pre"'
dent of the Union and League, who expreJSed at the Ccngress words '
of brotherhood and luumonious cooperation. The same thing to Mr:'
RiJdi Nan who accepted to be a member of the AdInterim COm-
mission. I am hlJppy to see that Fr. loan Trutza has returned to the
leadenhip of the Episcopate, and regordil'lg the Very Rev. Archi
mandrite Teo/ll, by virtue of his nwnastic vows, I hope that he will
be loyal so that a solution could be reached, before a year, on the
subject of the BiJhop.
In JPite of the geographical distance and of the obstacles prevent
ing my retum, until a definite pronQuncement of the OIurch Con'
gress I comider myself the Bw/op of the Romanian Orthodox ,of
America and invite the Ad:/nterim Commission to moke connections,
with the BWiop and to inform me of aU Its activities, $0 that I maY'
give hierlUChica1 approval when needed $0 that nQthing illeglZJ or'
anticanonicallwppens damaging the prestige and the progress of thi!
OIurch. '.
, My falherly advice is that you unite yourselves in good under
standing for good deeds because the Romanian Communities in
97
AmericQ con :rill help OUT Mother Country and the R011'Ulnilln
people who ptme: through di/fiallt triIJb flnd bitter .q[eringr tIS a
consequence of the unfortunflte war in which we (JfI11lclpoted tmd
whole mere/1m C01Ut!qUMM we June to eltllun ptltierrtly ana with
nsipation. J $Old my bJe#i1t8 to all those thflt ~ taken tM
initlatille to colkct contribution: for thole in need among their
brothen hen. Mfl)1 God OUT Lord compt!nSllte them with His huvm
/y Grace and with Hi: eorthly gifts.
YOUll', with best wiJher and hierarChal b1elSingS,
.... .,.p-
of tM Romtllliflm in.A.merlctL.
Six mootlu later. at the beginning of December, Bishop Policup wrote
another letter, this time addressed to Ft . John Truw, the new pre&ident i
or the AdInterim Conun1ss.ion.
Very Reverend Father Dean,
Df!fIT Father '])utza:
Oa/IIIl, Dectmber 8, 1947
Orrly now-fl{ter J ncelMi recently SOUA No. 28, 19, 10 and 12
(not 11 ~ J flm lifted flbollt the events that happt!nN flt tM OrUTCh
~ held on July 4th of thiJ yeor.
J thank you {rom my heart and J am grateful for your intmtno
tion which decided the Qttirurk of the Con,ve1S QM gave IIltiiftlCtion
to the Bishop who Cfl1lfl(}t be blomed for flnythi", ehe except IhIlt
he left, in 1919, to SIU his family flnd to ptUticiptlte at the meeting3
of the Holy Synod. He could fU)t return to his Su bem/Ie of the
war and 1I()W berm/., of other ntBQfU beyond my control.
After numy delay:, fl(}W the Eplicoptlu in Amuiat htu been
deleted from the State budget, effectille &ptmrber l It of this y eor,
UJlclly (lj it happend with Romanifln cluuche: outlilk ROIflllllIa-
with the eXcqJtion of thOle in Pari: and Sofia. This Is eqUflI with the
dlsw/ving of the Episcopate from the point of view of the Romanilm
State, and Its tltuliu Bishop will be pul in ntlTemmt-pensJoned-
tICCOTtling to theprovWon: Induded in Law No. 166/1947.
I prote,ted and, at my nquest, the Holy Synod intm>ened for tM
continuation of a budget for OUT Episcoptlte. I CilIInol fome tM
n$Uitl. But there fIR fU) t m4IIY hopei colUideriJtg the:1rtliMd flllQll
cl4l situation of the State T7ea:sury. And I am without a mJmy ~
Aprii- J received only onehalf a month', SQItuy tlIId we fIR in
December. Ellen if I could get pennwion to leave, J halle 11() means
to cover the fraPeJ experues. not even from here to Bucluuest. J 11m
confined hen in D'aiva l4'Oiting for the situation to duutge.
Bul for the time being I am not SIlying good-bye, as J wrote to the
Adlnterim Commission and the OtrlCiJJl ~ t r t r sent to Father Seen
tary Stanl14. J iIITI happy to lum that both of you ~ returned to
98
,
I
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
:
,

,
the leadership o{ the Episcopate. If you would /unJe remained {rom
the be,;nning, o{ter my departu, many mistakes, lhameful public
,pectade, and dtlmllging activities could have been avoided. But
maybe thinp could be straightened out. I{ I would return or not,
you should remain ot leodmhip, taking care that the Episcopate
will never be agtJin In the IuInd, o{ those uncalled {or.
Otherwise, I {eel good, heallhwise, thanks God. I am eight yean
older but strong enough to be ready {or the olJerseaJ trip when tilL
road will be opened {or me.
Alter I served throughout the country, where sent by His Holi-
ness Ihe PatrUuch, 10m now residing at Craiva with my "ster, a war
widow with a chiid studying in Aiud at the high rchaol; there I have
also a brother. And I am IIlnguishillg here . ...
I wish all of you good health and send hierarchical blessing to all
in the{amily.
With brolherly embrace.
Bishop Policarp
A 1000Iattempt to find a Bishop
The official posilion of tlte Ad-Interim CommiMion, presided by Father
John Trutza, reprding Bishop Policarp was generally endorsed and sup-
ported both by the clergy and lay people. As a matter of fact, at the
annual Church Congress held between July 2 &; 3, 1949, al the Vatra
Romineasca, the matter of the election of a Bishop was not included in
the agenda excepl for a 'men lion made in the Report to the Congress.
However, the idea to wait for the return of Bishop Policarp was nol
pleasing to everyone. A small group of clergy and laymen headed by a
priest from Delrqit, Michigan, the Reverend Falher Glicherie Moraru,
unhappy that they were ousted from the leadership of the Episcopate at
Ihe annual Congress of July, 1947, and fearful thai Bishop Policarp might
look unfavorably upon their activities during his absence, decided to act
immediately to find a solution Policarp."
They gathered around another priest from Detroit, Michigan, the
Reverend Father Stefan Opreanu, the dean of St. George Cathedral, an
intellectually gifted individual, convincing hin1 to consider becoming a
Bishop. To insure the eventusl ordination into the bishopric of Father
Opreanu and to give a semblance of canonicity to their move, they con-
tacted the Most Reverend Melropolltan Visarlon Pulu from France.
Metropolitan Visalion was a high ranking men;lber of the Holy Synod of
Romania, fonner Metropolitan of Bukovina and during Ihe war Exarch of
Transnistria. In August 1944 Metropolitan . Visarion found himself in
official mission to Croatia, exactly at the time that Romania turned from
the Gennan camp to the Allies and when the Russian troops were advanc-
ing deep into its territory. Metropolitan Visarion decided not to return to
Romania and establish.ed his residence rust in Vienna, Austria, then in
99
Iialy and Ialer in France. Although he had no special mandale or jurisdic-
tion he tried to establish some kind of a Romanian Church organization in
Western Europe. He dreamed of a diocese to encompass aU Romanian
Orthodox throughout the world. Unfortunately for his plans, there were
not too many Romanian Orthodox parishes existing at that time in Europe
and he had to settle for a diocese that existed moslly on paper.
Contacted by the group of Detroit, Michigan, Metropolitan Visarion
availed himself of the opportunity to take hold in America and, without
consu1tation with the Ad-Interim Commission, appointed the Reverend
Father Stefan At. Opreanu as his " Vicar for America." At his tum, Father
Opreanu, also without the knowledge or approval of the leadership of the
Diocese in America, took monastic vows and let himself be elevated to the
rank of archimandrite, as the first step toward the bishopric.
Although Father Opreanu did not formally claim the Office of a Bishop
for the American Diocese, his actions met with strong opposition at the
annual Church Congress held on July 2 & 3,1950 in Philadelphia, Penn
sylvania foUowing which he fonnally asked forgiveness and declared that
""
a) will not accept the title of Vicar to Metropolitan Visalion;
b) will not use the title ofarchimandrite;
c) and will never lay claim to the Office of Bishop.
The Church Congress further expressed iu displeasure with the interfer-
ence of Metropolitan Visarion in the affairs of the American Diocese and
charged the Office of the Episcopate with the mission 10 convey this to
him.
Regarding Bishop Policarp the Congress decided that:
This Congress unanimously considers His Grace Bishop Policorp
MorufCQ as titulor head o[ our Episcopate and to help his return, the
Episcopate Council and the Office 0/ the Episcopate shall immedi-
ately make the intercessions with the competent ci)lil and religious
authorities. If. during the period of one year, thus until the next
Congress to be held In 1951, the retum 0/ His Grace will propc
definitely impossible. the Congress shall be called to decide this
matter In con{onnity with the needs and interests 0/ OUT Episcopate. "
Considering the possibility that the election of a new Bishop might be '
necessary, the Congress also decided that if the Office of the Bishop would
become vacant , no one of the clergy serving at that time the parishes of .
the Episcopate in America shall be admitted 10 the candidacy.
Unexpected IOlution from Romania
The parish delegates returned home from the 1950 Congress in Phil
adelphia relieved and happy that the tension provoked by Fathet
Opreanu's case had been mollified, that the situation of Bishop Policarp
had been clarified and that the problem of vacancy in the Bishop's Office
might be solved at the next Congress.
100
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Little did they know that far away, in Bucharest, Romania someone
else had already found a replacement for Bishop Policarp. Their Diocese
and the appointment of a new Bishop for the Romanian Orthodox in
America was in fact on the planning board of high level political and
church authorities in Romania. 1he old Patriarch, Nicodim, who looked
with understanding and benevolence upon the refusal of the American
Diocese to accept an appointed Bishop, had died in the Spring of 1948.
The monarchy had been abolished and the Romanian Peoples Republic
was proclaimed on December 30,1947, resulting in the instauration and
the consolidation of the Communistic regime. How these events effected
the Orthodox Church in Romania is accurately described by the news
paper UNIVERSUL from Bucharest in its issue or August 28, 1948.
The guidance of the country destiny hoving been taken up by
the honds of the WC!rking class and of democratic organizatwru,
special attention is being gillen to the renewal of the high cadres of
the Church. This was evidenced by the elections which took place in
November 1947, when three people:S- hkrarclu entered the Synod.
This concern of the working class for the destiny of the OIurch
culminated on May 24, 1948, when the new Patriarch of the
Romanian People's Republic was elected in the person of Hi! Holi-
ness Justinian.
The new Patriarch, Justinian Marina, was a young man. His rise was
spectacular. Up to the instauration of the new political regime he was a
parish priest at the Saint George Church in the city of Rimnicul Valcea.
On August 12, 1945 he was raised to the rank of Bishop. In November
1947 he became Metropolitan of Moldavia and on June 6, 1948 he was
enthroned Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
Patriarch Justinian came to the leadership of the Church at a cruciaJ
moment. TIw Romanian Orthodox Church has long been a unifying force
in the life of Romania and identified itself with the State. Historically it
has been a center of resistance to foreign aggressors. The Communistic
regime, true to its ideological position, could not tolerate the existence of
a powerful Church but at the same time it realized that it would be
impractical to persecute the Church wruch numbered more than 70% of
the population. Political st rategy dictated an attitude of temporary toler-
ance and between the State and the Orthodox Church, with
one condition: that the (hurch would not oppose the new regime and that
it would do its share to help the State in the implementation of its
poliCieS.
Patriarch Justinian Marina was the person indicated to carry out this
objective. He was instrumental in the formulation of the new legislation
regarding the Religious Cults in Romania, promulgated through the Decree
of August 4, 1948, and he edited the new Statute of the Romanian Ortho-
dox Church, accepted by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in
October, 1948 and approved by the State effectiVe February 23, 1949.
101
These new Statutes brought about a radical change in the legislation regard-
ing the Orthodox Church of Romania. It gave the State full control over
the ClIurch and the Patrlarch powers that he never had before. The
Church preserved an internal autonomy but externally it became a politi-
cal instrument of an atheistic regime.
The first official act of Patriarch JustinJan concerning the Romanian
Orthodox Episcopate of America was to place the legal titular Bishop of
the Episcopate, Policarp M o ~ , in forced retirement and not to answer
the repeated requesta-made by the leaders of the American Episcopate for
the return of the Bishop Policarp to hia post here.
Once the vacancy was created in the post of BJshop in America, the
Patriarch thought he had sufficient cause and legal justification for the
direct intervention in the affairs of the American Episcopate. His thoughts,
his plans and his motivations had been clearly stated in the Official Bulle
tin of the Romanian Patriarchate "Biserica Ortodoxa Romin'" No. 3-6
of 195 1, page 238:
In the water mode turbulent by all kinds of passions, inl7/gues
and personal interest, have started to /1M the capitalistic exploitm
and the mongers for a new war. They have tried to catch the ROo
rrumians of America into the nets of theit nefarious political propa.
ganda and to milke use of them against the regime of populor democ-
/'(ley ruling presently in the Rorruznian Popu/m Republic. They
wanted to make out of these IOIU of our nation some kind ofmer-
cenaries employed in the service 0/ their imperialistic interests and
then to rruzneuver them to act against the legitimate interests of the
Romankm Nation.
,
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But Patrlluch Justinian, who is gifted with a sparkling intuition
and a power of penetration 10 highly characteristic o{ him, upon
ascending the ptltriaTchal throne, immediately saw all the distJstrous
reality jn which the Orthodox Romanians of Amerjca had found
themrll'es to be; he studied ihe possibilities for setting this situation
right and for the elimination of the causes o{ these things, which
were gral'ely threatening the religious unity and the harmonjous
living of these far-away brothers o{ oun. And the solution W(l,\' found
by our Rorruznian brothers {rom across the Ocean themsell'eJ. On the
day of Febluary 2, 1950. the Orthodox Priem of America, together
with the hly delegates of the parishes, hallf! rewlved to renew their
connections (tiesj with the Romanian Orthodox Oiurch of the
Romanian Popultu Republic. The Church Congress, held on May 17,
1950. at Detroit, Michigan, elected the widowed archpriest Andrei
Moldollfln, of Akron, Ohio, to flflthe )lQCQnt chair of Bishop for the
Autonomous Episcopate of the Orthodox RorruznialU of America.
,
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The intentions of Patriarch Justinian are thus clearly expressed and it is
just as clear that he had succeeded in finding some individuals in the '
United Slates willing to help him carry out his plan. The only important
102
fact that wu not made clear by the Official Bulletin of the Patriarchate is
that the "solution" was not found nor offered to the Patriarch by the
"Romanians in America" throuah t.heir Ieplly constituted church orpnj.
zations or through meetings attended by lawfully elected representativn
of the parishes.
The simple truth is that no Church Congress of the Romanian 0rtho-
dox Episcopate of America met on May 17, 1950 either in Detroit, Michl
gan or in any other place. What really happened was that ttuee Detroit,
Midtipn area priests who no longer were in good standina with the Epis-
copate, together with a few laymen met in Detroit on February 2, 1950
and decided to aeek revenlf' against the leadership of ihe American Dlo-
cae by requesting the Patriarchate in Romania to appoint a biship of their
choice. The penon selected for this was the R,e..erend Father Andrei Mol
dovan, a widowed priest who at the time wu Krving at the "l'ruentaliQII
or our Lord" parish in Akron, OhIo. He had the advantage that he wu
wI1llng to do what he was told and that he wu an American dtlzen.
Mter the meeting in Detroit, and the arrangement. with Fr. Andrei
Moldovan, COIltacU were estabUshed with Bucharest exactly at a time
when the new Patriarch Justinian was considering what action to take
legardlng the ArnI!rlcan Dicx:ese.
The Patriarchate wu more than wilting to help but, in compliance with
the tradition or the Romanian Orthodox Quuch and eYen with the new
legislation, the appointment and ordination of a bishop Is coodiUoned on
the nomination and his election by his dioocle. Such a nomination was not
available from the canonically constituted diocete in America.
To circumYent this requirement. seClet mock ''Church Congress" was
arran&ed for May 17, 1950 in Detroit, Michigan.
Participants were a few laymen and, accordina 10 Fr. Andrei Mol
dovan', witness in Court, three priests: Fathers Glichetie Momu, Stefan
At. OpJeanu and Peter Mop. Need1ess to IIY that no parbh throughout
the Diocese was repretented.
Once the formality of the "election" wu accomplished. another step
wu taktn I(f Insure the success of this mow: . On June Sth, 1950,. new
religious corporadon was organized under and by virtue of the Laws of the
State of Michigan bearing the name "The Romanian Orthodox Auto-
nomous EpiscoPite of North and South America" and havtll3 u its official
address: 1799 East State Fair AYenue, Detroit, Michigan. The slgnatort for
the Act of IncOlpOrition were three (3) priests and six (6) laymen all
residents of Detroit, Michigan.
In the meantime, the Jegular Church Congress of the Episcopate in
America had been called for July 2 & 3, 1950 in Philadelphia, Penn
sll, anla. Father Andrei Moldovan was present at the Congress representing
his parish in Akron, Ohio, but he did not speak about his "election" u a
bishop nor did he tell anyone that a new Romanian Orthodox Episcopate
had been incorporated. Thus, the QlUtch Congress in Philadelphia dis-
cussed and decided the need for a bishop in the tente mentioned before.
103
Two weeks later, on July 17, 1950, the president of the Congress in
Philadelphia and of the Episcopate Council, Father John Truw, recelYed
the fonowing telegram:
WESJ'ERN UNION
July 17, 1950
BuooreM Vill Maclc4y July 14 1500
Parintelui Ion 'n'utza Epi$CQpiIl OrtodOXil Rorrurna Din Americtl
(6201 Detroit AlI'f1Jue)
Vatra Romtl1U!asca Gnm Lake Michigan Cleveland Ohio
77te Holy Synod has approl1ed the Autonomy of the Episcopate
of the RoJfUl1lians of North and &uth America. Stop. II Iuu
approved Ihe election of the Father Archpriest Andrei Moldovan
to the vaoont chair 0/ Bishop he having to preunt himself as lOOn
(1$ pouible in Bucharest in order to be ortWned into a Hiefarch.
STOP. We calion all priests to unite llI'Ound the new Bishop
stopping any separation.
14/7/1950,
Justinian
1he Palriluch 0/ the Romanian
Orthodox OIurch and President
o/the Holy Synod, Hr. 5J1.
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The surprise provoked by this telegram is understandable. Father .
Truw and the members of the EpiscOpate Council, not informed about i
what happened in [)etroit, did not kDow how to interpret it. Assuming .j
that the Patriarchate might ttave been mislead about the decillon at the i
Congress in Philadelphia, the secretary of the Congress and the Episcopate '
Council wrote the fonowing letter: t
To:
Hil Eminence Justinian, The Patriarch
0/ the RoJfUl1lilm Orthodox OIurch and President
0/ the Holy Synod,
Bucharest. Ronurnia
Your Holiness:
August 18, 1950
Answering the telegram 0/ Your Holiness, No. 5Jl 0/ July 14,
1950, addre$$ed to the Council 0/ The Romanian Orthodox Epi.sco
pate of Amerioo, in which You halle communiooted to us the
approval, granted by the Holy Synod, for the autonomy 0/ The
Episcopate of The ROmllllians 0/ Norlh and South Americd, and also
(Le. tlie approval) for the "election 0/ Fr. Andrei Moldovan to the
vacant chllir 0/ Bislwp, " with due respect we art making it known to
you thllt the OIurch Congreu 0/ OUT Epi$CQpate, up to the present
date, Iuu not d ~ k u e d IU I'QCflJIt the office 0/ Its titubu Bislwp and
conuquently 1uu not elected another person to flU this post, and $0
Iuu not elected Fr. Andrei MoldoWUlIU Bishop.
104
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I
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The person or penonl who have reported to Your Holineu $UCh a
thing have tried, probably with Intention, to miIin[onnyou.
The (Jrurch Chn,en'u o[ our EpUcopate, in itl xulon of July 3,
1950, held in the city of PhiltZdelphitZ, by urumlmoUl vote o[ tM
delegtJtes o[ the ptJrishes, mi1de tIgtlin tlIId anew the decltZmtion that
it 1Ii11 considen HII Groce PolietUp MofU$CiI, who iI now ill
RomlUlitZ, as the CQIIoniclJl BWwp of our Episcopate, and has ex-
pressed ill lincere wish to Iuwe Hil Groce PolietUp M01Ufal, at the
earliest possible time, in their midst, here.
The undersigned, on the basil of thil decilion (1'tSOlution) of the
Con,en'u, and fruiting in the fNlI'enttZl care-taking and the weU-
Intentioned interelt which Your Holineu has for the Rowurnian
Orthodox Church and her faithful membe1'l, relpect{uUy beg$ of you
to be kind enough and talee disposition (give order) for the return of
Hil Grace Bishop PolletUp to the leadership of our Episcopate o[
America, graciowly intetl!ning with the.rlght[uJ (proper}authorlties
to have them facilitate the departure of Hil Grace (folietUp) for hil
post in the shortest possible time.
I remain, Your Hollness'I, kissing your right hand:
(signed) Rev. John StmiJa
. General Secretary of the Chngreu
and of the Council of 1M Rom.
Orth. Episcopate of 1-merlaz.
No response was received to this communication. Father Andrei Mol-
dovan being uked by Father John Trutza about his involvement in this
matter responded that he does not know anything about it. Requested to
put this in writing he sent a teatgram saying:
I have taken no option tlIId do not Intend to.
(signed) Archpriest Moldovm.
What followed next has the semblance of a mystery chapter by Sher-
kx:k Holmes.
A 8isbop is ordained in Rommia
About the middle of October, 1950, Father Andrei Moldovan presented
to the parish council of his chwch in Akron, Ohio the following medical
certificate.
HOPKINS CLINIC
Oeveland, Ohio
October lO, 1950
To Whom It May Concern:
Rev. Andrew Moldovan s/tQuid have a three weeks resl for treat-
ment! o[ tlTlhritis.
Very truly YOUI'!,
HOPKINS CLINIC, INC.
R. D. Gardner, M.D.
MedkaJ Dim:lor
lOS
From the pulpit he informed his parishioners that he has to take a sick
leave and will go to Hot Springs, Arkansas for a cure. On the afternoon of
Sunday, October 29, 1950 he left Akron, Ohio. A few days later in
November 3, 1950 the president of the parish council received a postal
card handwritten by Father Andrei Moldovan dated and post marked in
Hot Springs, Arkansas in which he was writing:
Thank you very much {or your kindne$&. I will see you all. God
bless your family.
Similar postal cards continued to be received at regular intervals by .
other parishionen and friends in Akron, Ohio. ' I
In fact Father Andrei Moldovan was not in Hot Springs. Arkansas. 1
After leaving Akron he went to Windsor, Ontario, Canada where he "
boarded an aJrplane for Montreal, Quebec, Canada and (rom there to "I
Romania where he arriyed on November 2, 1950. At the airport he was
received by a high ranking delegation from the Patriarchate and was taken ~
immediately on a grand tour of Romanian Church institutions and moo- .
asterles.
On Sunday. November 5th, he made his monastic vows in the oldest .
Romanian monastery- in Neamtz, Moldavia, from where he was taken to 1
the Metropolitanate of Jassy and to some other monasteries in the area.
On November 12, 1950 he was ordained as Bishop in the Cathedral of
Sibiu by Metropolitan Nicolae Balan. assisted by many Bishops and priests. ;
After a few more days of visits to other institutions he arrived in
Bucharest on November 19th and was officially invested as Bbhop of the
Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America. At this last solemnity beside
the Patriarch, Metropolitans and other Church dignitaries. the Romanian
Government was represented by high officials led by Prime Minister Petru
Groza himself. ,
The ordination of Father Andrd Moldovan was well publicized in the ,
entire COWltry and interpreted as a symbol of good relations between the .
Romanians in America and their Mother Country. (Nothing was said at -
that time that no other Romanian in America was able to get an entry visa .
to Romania to visit his family).
During the time that Father Andrei Moldovan was in Romania for
ordination, the Office of the Holy Synod in Bucharest was busy with '
telegraphic orders to the United States.
On November 11, 1950 Father Simion Mihaltian of Indiana Harbor, :
Indiana received the following telegram:
November 11, 1950 10:11 AM.
To Father Simion Mihaltian the Vicar of the Orthodox Miuto-
nory Episcopate in AmeriC1J, 1614 Elm Street, Indiana Harbor,
lmilaM
The Eparchial Council headed by Archpriest ThJtZa, elected in
1947 does not Mve our approPOI as lAcum Tenens of our Suffragan
106
,
Romsnlan Orthodox MlnloTlllT)' Episcoptlte In AmeriQl, /ollowin6
the 10 'penrion of 8i1hop Morusca Stop For their lChem
ing qainst the CQNJnictJlletJdenhlp of the Episcopate the Arr:hprien
una and the Priest SttUliJa, Iurving faUM under the ItlfIClioru of
the 34th Canon of the 6th Ecumenl(:4i Synod fun.ot: been ordered
stopped from performing tilly priestly functions until they have
tumed over to you and to the EpQrchl4l Council elected on Septem-
ber 2, 1945 the archives tmd ail mobile and immoble assets of the
Ep&copate Stop.
In C4re that they refute, you wiY record this in lhe usual minutes
and will wire us 10 we QVI take lepl Sltllfctions /IIfIfnst 1M guilty ones
by unfrocking which is provided in the Holy Canons Stop. You will
put the re$ldence at the Yaw in order for the reception of the
BUhop.
Juatinian
Locum Tenens of the Romtllll/Jn Orthodox
Missionary EplJco{Xlte In AmeriQl,
Mel1Opollttlll of Ungro Vlachia lUfd
Patrliuch of RommrJa,
Simultaneously Father John Trutza. 'the President of the Episcopate
CowtcU received a telegram with instructions 10 turn oYer the assets of
the Espicopate to Father Simlon Mlhahian.
In addition, this telegram (officially marked document No. 781 of lhe
Patriarchal Cabinet), stated that "Bishop Morus<:a hu already retired to
pension three years ago" and further
J4(e repeat our appetli to you aw in Ihe telegram sent
to you before. tlult you ,Ive /uU obedience lJIId pt'Oper to tM
Bbhop Hu GrtICt Andrei MoldoWIII, and nol to place UJ Into the
disliked position to be fOreN 10 apply sgainst you tM SltllfctionJ
pt'Ol>lded in the Holy Canons.
We are reminding you that the new Bishop Is one of the Romani
alU there, who has worked and has fought , with the conscience of a
Romanian and of QII Orthodox Christian, from the very foundilti()n
of the RomsnilJn Orthodox Episcopate of Amerlco, for the preser
Wltlon of her inlllct dignity in relation to other confeuions
in those ptUts and aUo for the nuJintaining of canonlcol ties with the
Mother Orthodox Orurch of the Father/Qnd.
We hope thai all of you wiii understand your duty of listenq
and gMng obedience to the new Bishop and that QII of you In unity
and brotherly cooperation wlii seek to and to bring to bloom
ing and to shining the Orthodox MiJ.siolllUY EpiJeO/XIte of AmerlaJ.
With Palrilucluzl bleuinp.
Justinian, m.p. (signed)
Locum Tenens of the Romanian
107
Orthodox MWiollfU')l Episcoptlte
in Americtl, Metropolitan 0/
the See 0/ Ungro-J'lachla and
PtJtriIIrch 0/ Romilllia.
The Episcopate Council wu called into emergency session for Novem
ber 16. 1950 in Cleveland, Ohio to consider the mltter.
With Father Sirmon Mihaltian present and consenting, the Council
unanimously resolved
a) to diSCQndder the order from the ROmillllan PalriarchlJte to
Father SimkJn Mih4Jff4n;
b) 10 protnt the inter/ereT/ from lJuchiueIt in the af/ain of the
Romanian Episcopate 0/ AmeriCfl;
c) to refuse rewgnition to any bUhop that WIJI not elected by the
Orurch Congreu 0/ the Diocese in America;
d) to take immediate action lor the protection and the stl/e keeping
of aU the asse/S 0/ the Episcopate and to administrate them In
con/onnity with the decisionJ 0/ the Olf,uch CongreSJ of the
DIoc<u.





I
A few days after the Council mccting in Oeveland the newly ordained ;
Bishop Ili ioed in Wmcisor, Ontario, Canada. On Wednesday. November 21, I
1950 he took residence in Detroit. Michigan from where he initiated the i
action to take over the leadership of the American Diocne.
He sent Father John Trutza, the President of the Episcopate Council
the foHowing telegram:
Punuant to authority )lwed in me by the Holy Synod 0/ our
church on November 12. 1950, as canonical and Iqa/ SUCJItN to
His Grace 8iJhop Polletup Morup and according to the by-laws 0/
the Rom4ldan Orthodox Mi.Jsionsry EpiscopQre In Americu, denwnd
is hereby mtme fOT posseuion 0/ all property, real and per$OnaJ.
belo1lflng to OUT EpiJCOpote in Amerim, including archipes, boolu,
records, cash on hand and In the bonk, and Yatra.
Ancbei
Canonical and LegaIBlsJwp 0/ the
Romanian Orthodox MWioNU)l
Episcoptlte 0/ A merico.
The Episcopate rejected the demJllds. Priests and parishel throughout
the country sent decluations of solidarity and support for the stand taken
by the Episcopate Council. Father Simian MlhaJUan himself declared
solemnly at the meeting of the COWlcil:
I shlJlI not answer the telegram J receil'ed from the Patriluch of
RomonliJ. I shall net>tr recognize as BiJhop lor OUT Church in
Americo except the poson who u elected by the d ~ / e p t e s 0/ the
108
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parWrN (JJSembkd in Congress. 1 recognize af kgal the present Coun-
cil of the Episcoptlte, hoving been elected by the CongreS! of the
Episcopate. (From the Minutes of the Episcopate Couru:1l session
held on November 16, 1950 in Cleveland).
However, the Patriarchate in Bucharest was insisting. Another letter was
received by Father Simion Mihaltian, this time with instructions to seek.
tile transfer of the assets of the Episcopate through action in the Civil
Courts.
(SEAL)
The Palrtarch of Romanio
(Stamp)
m
BucJuuest, November 19, 1950
Father Vicar Simion MilUlltilm and 10 the DioceJtln Council of
the Romanion Orthodox Episcopate of the Tho AmerlctlS.
As a consequence of the retirement of His Grace, Bishop Poliaup
M01UJCtI three yean ago, the seat of the Romanian Orthodox epis-
copate of the Tho Americru has been lItlCOIft.
Since this Episcopate, in conformity with Article 5 for the organ-
ization of the Rornanion Orthodox Church In America, voted by
the Ozureh Congreu held in Detroll on July 5, 1935, is a suffragan
of the Un,gro-V1achio Metropolio, according to the Holy Canons, the
direction of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America has
righlfully been entrusteeJ to me in the capacity of Patriarch of all
Romanion Orthodox and Metropolitan of Ull8To-Vlachio.
On the basis of the a{olementioned, noting the desile of the
Diocesan Meeting of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate contained
in Letter No.2 of the said Episcopate office u of June 12, 1950,
tlUlt Very- Reverend Archpriest Andrei MoidOlJ(ln be your bishop, 1
Mve submitted this petition 10 OUI Permanent Synod, which, in its
meeting of July 12, 1950, approved this petition, which decision we
have cabled to you as well u by our letter, No. 16.035 as of July 26,
1950, calling into our country Alchpriesl Andlei Moldol'fln 10 be
elected and comef:Nted.
Having submiued to the full meeting of the Holy Synod of the
Romanuln Orthodox Church the request of the Diocesan Meeting
and Ihe favorabk C(ln$tnt of the Permanent Synod, lhe Holy Synod,
in its meeting of October 4, 1950, In conformity with Article 6 of
the Statutes of the Episcopate, voted on July 5, 1935, 01 the Con-
gnu held In Detroit, Michigan, elected Father AlChpriest Andrei
Moldovtm to fill the seat of Bishop of the Ro"uUlkm Orthodox
Episcopate of AmelictJ, hoving con/emd upon him the rank of
BWwp.
As a result of this canonical election, Father Alchpriest Andrei
109
Moldovan hDs heeded our caU and came to Romtlnill, where, after
being tonsured in the montutic orden with the name of Andrei, he
wtlJ consecrated a Bishop in the Cathedral of the 7h1tuylRUfian
Metropolia at Sibiu on NOl1f!mbn' 12, 1950, while on November 19,
1950, he wtlJ ctmOnictdly invested (t.f Bislwp of the Ronwnian Ortho-
dox Epucopate of America in the Synodlcal Hall and through the
Patril:lrchal Decree No. 26/023/950, he was co,qlmled in his seat,
thereby having the necel3llry CllflQniClI/ mandlJte from me Q3 Metro-
polillln of Ungro- V/Qchia, PatriJuch of all Romanian Orthodox and
President of the Holy Synod to canonically and legally conduct the
affairs of thu Episcopate. Therefore, Hu Grace, BiJhop A1!dni Mol
dovan iJ the only tpiritual and auwniCtlI leader of the Romanian
Orthodox in the 1Wo AmeriCtls, being recognized by me and the
Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Oturch under whose spiri-
tual authority I am.
Coming to his Diocese, NiJ Grace BisJwp Andrei Moldovan hDs
the duty entrusted him by the Holy Synod to establish his episcopal
se4t at the VolTa ROmilnQ, Grau Lake. Therefore, we II$k Father
Vlav S. MihIltilm and the D/oce$QII ColDfciJ of the Romlllliml Ortho-
dox Episcopate of America to take om' all the real and per301IQI
property and Jll'chives from Archpriest Joan nutza and to prepare
the episcopal re$idence at the VolTa R011Ul1la, which is the property
of the Episcopate, as the residence. of the /JUhop, who iJ under the
authority of the Holy Synod of the Romanilln Orthodox Church, to
receive Bishop Andtei Moldovan upon his arriml in AmericD.
UJcnvise we tuk that all measures be taken for the installation of
HI! Groce, to be mode in the Holy Trinity Owrch of Detroit b e f ~
the priests, members of the DIoce$QII Council and of the NationlJl
Co",U!U, with all the digTJity of such occasions.
As Metropolitan of Ungro- VlachiIJ, Patriarch of all Romonllm
Orthodox and president of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Ortho-
dox Church, we acknowledge as helld of the Episcopate in the
absence of the Bishop, Father ViCl'll' Simion Mihaltilln and the Dio-
ce$QII Council elected on September 2, 1945. We do not acknowl
edge the DioceIltUJ Council headed by ArchtNiest loan nutza elected
in 1947 by conspiracy againJJ the CllnonicaJ /eadenhip of the Epuco-
pate.
Father Archpriest Joan nutza and his Dioce$QII CouncU do not
have our approval to htQd our suffragan Diocese of the Romonian
Orthodox (Jlfuch in Amuica and therefore by CIIble No. 777 In of
November II, 1950, Included in ourcommuniCtltion no. 781 tu of
November 11, 1950, which we attach in copy. sent to Father Arch-
priest John nutuz and Father Archpriest John Stanlla we have with-
drawn oUr delegation to them as priest and archpriests, until they
give over the file" real and penDlUll property of the Episcoptlte to
Father Simian Mihaltian, our viau and to the Dioce&an GJuncil
110
,
< kgaUy elected on September 2. 1945. and recognized by us. Qrhey
should insist, they shall be defroclwi,
We hoff! lent thne stmIe insttucW1l$ to our Vicar, Stmion Mih4/.-
tian by cable No. 776, contllined in our letter No. 780 flJ of Norem-
bel' 11,1950, a/which we
Therefore, we tuk of Father Simion Mihilitian, our VICiU. as well
as of the Diocaan Council elected on September 2, 1945, to take
the legal dons to ttnlMdiately rake the /lle" rem tuId personal
property o{ the Romanian Orthodox EpiJcopQte of America from
Father John '])una and Father John Sl81Iiliz. flJ well tI$ the organ of
the Epucopate, the SOW publit:Qtion, and to ready the VA17U
ROMANA at Grass lAke tu the episcopfll relkknct to Hil
Grace Bishop Andrei Moldovan.
In ctUe that Fathen John '/hltzQ and John Sranila would refuse
to give them over to the Vim turd the [)ioceSIUJ Council recOgnized
by UI, Father Vlav Simian Mihaltian and the Dioce$llll councU
elected on September 2,1945, are empowered by us to appe4l to the
legal juridical authorities to take poumion a/them.
Theil' rerulll' to submit to OUT CanonicrU /uriJdlcllon
will be communicated to us $0 lhat they mqv be puniJhed by win
ron/onnity with the Holy Canons.
We hope that the rMntWnM priests, I. Trurza and I. Stlmllo,
together with tho$e who have joined their intrigue, contrary to
csnonlca1 letJdershfp of our su/lrt1g4n Romanian Orthodox Episco-
pate of America will heed our adpice tmd we will not be forced to
proceed with their ctUWnlazl sanction as shown in our letter No.
780/950, atttlhed hereto in copy.
Therefore, Wt' repeat our plea which Wt' $ent in letter No.
780/9S0 to adl'i# you from our parental care, to heed OUT call to
csnonlazl ortier, to obey and give all honor due to the new BUhop
Andrei MoldoWlll, which obligation Is included in his Document of
Installation, $0 that eperyone in unity and brotherly cooperation will
be able to revipe and carry to full blomm and glory the Romanian
Orthodox Episcopate of ArMrica, whose dignity must be presen>ed
intact in relation to all other rellgiow ron/eulons in those parts of
the world.
Awaiting only favorable news, Wt' impart our PatrUuchtll
Blessings.
(Hand Seal)
The cue before the Ciril Courts
JUSTINIAN (Signature)
Metropolitan o[ Ungro- Vlochia
and Patriarch Romania
In compliance with instructions received from the Pat'rlarchate in
Romania, Bishop Andrei Moldovan filed a complaint in the United States
III
District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Case
No, 27916 on December 19, 1950.
To justify his action Bishop Moldovan claimed to be "the duly quali.
fled, elected, appolnted and ordained Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox
Missionary Episcopate of North and South America including the United
States of America." As defendanb in the case Bishop Molodvan named:
The Very Reverend John Trutza, President of the Episcopate Council; Mr.
James V. Suciu, the treasurer of the Episcopate and Mr. Viore! D. Trlfa,
the editor of the SOLiA newspaper, the omeia1 publication of the Episco-
pate. All three were Cleveland relidents which explains why the case came
before the Federal Court in Cleveland.
The Petitioner Bishop Moldovan "as trustee and on behalf of the Ro-
manian Orthodox Missionary Episcopate" petitioned the Court to issue a
preliminary injunction restraining and_ enjoining the defendants from using
the SOUA newspaper in any fonn and from disbuning the funds belong ~
ing to the Romanian Orthodox Missionary Episcopate.
The hearing for preliminary injunction took place on January 10, 1951. ~
The defendants argued that Bishop Andrei Moldovan may have been or- ~
dained as a Bishop, but he Is not the Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox .
Diocese in America since he was neither appointed, nor nominated, nor i
elected by the Diocese. ~
The contention that Bishop Moldovan was elected during a so-caUed
Oturch Congress of the Diocese, presumably held in Detroit on May 17, j
1950, couJd not stand to Court. Bishop Moldovan couJd not produce any ~
Minutes of such a Congress nor couJd he name the clergy or parish dele- "
i
gates who allcgedly elected him as Bishop. Caught to this rather embarrass- I
ins situation, the lawyers for the Plaintiff requested and received a Leave \
to File an amended complaint. The petition for a preliminary injunction
~ g a i n s t the officers of the Episcopate was thus dismissed. J
While the motions, claims and counter-claims were flied with the Court, 1
,
Bishop Moldovan was trying to assert his leadership of the Diocese outside . i
the court actions. ~
He started by writing to aU the clergy and parishes circulars. pamphlets
and pefSOnalletters requesting that he be recognized as the Bishop.
The leaders of the Episcopate, particulady Father John Trutza, were :
branded as "rebels" -against the authority of the OIurch and accused of '
personal ambitions and interests. .
To carty out the publicity in his favor, Bishop Moldovan started pub-
llshing to Detroit a newspaper using the same SOLiA title as the existing
newspaper.of the Episcopate. He furthe r claimed to be already to posses-
sion of the Vatra, the estate owned by the Episcopate in Grass Lakt,
Michigan. In fact, Vatra was not the headquarters of the Episcopate at that
time. The estate, consisting of 200 acres of fann land and an old mansion,
was used for fanning pUq)()scs. A farmer was paid 10 work the land and
take care of some livestock and a caretaker was ktpl by the Episcopate on
the grounds to oversee the mansion. .
112
00 December 12,1950 Bbhop Moldovan paid. visit to the VatIa and
after gaining entry into the mansion as a gue&t, he declared hinuclf the
owner. He wrote in the guest book with his own hand ". took roll: !!IOI'I
of the Vaua Romaneasca today, December 12, 1950" His secretary,
Rnerend Peter Moga, wrote "1 accompanied His Grace Bishop Andrei to
take poaession of the Vatra in confonnity with the Act of PowH'oo"
and one of Bishop Moldovan's COuncilloR, the late N. M. Martin, con-
cluded the inSCription by writing "I wu a witness to all of this." Ho'\Yever,
Bi.shop Moldovan did not take actual residence at the Vatra. He was living
in Detroit, but fOood it convenient to show the parishea that he has taken
possession of the asaelS of the Epilcopate.
In vkw of these happeninp, the leaden of the Episcopate appeared
before the Court with a petition to ~ t r a i n Bishop Moldovan from pub-
lishing a newspaper by the name of SOUA and from possession of the
Vatra. During the hearing on this Petition, on Aprl1 24, 1951, Bishop
Moldovan', lawyers argued that he is without relidence and requested
from the Court for him to use one-half of the mansion at the Vatra u
personal residence. The Court lifted to this and issued an Order
a) enjoining BHbop Moldovan from publishing a newspaper by the
name of SOLIA;
b) pennitting him to UJC onc-half of the mansion at the Vatn.;
c) enjoining BHbop Moldovan from taking possenlon of the other one-
half of the mansion, or the fann or any other property real or
personal belonging to the Episcopate; .
d) enjoining the Episcopate from publishing in SOUA comments about
the Plaintiff within the cue pending in Court.
In spite of the Court Order, Bishop Moldovan changed the locks at the
Vatra mansion, hired a watchman and prevented the Epbcopate'slawyen
and agents to enter the mansion. Further, he took over the farm and
instead of SOLIA he started publish.ing another paper under the headline
of EPISCOPIA_
The Episcopate Council reacted by filing a motion for Citation of Con-
tempt of Court. The hearing on this motiOfl took plaoe on JWle 4, 1951,
and Bishop Moldovan wu found gwlty ''with judgment reserved until the
case is heard on its merits." (At the conclusion of the case, one yeu liter,
Bishop Moldovan was punished for contempt and fined $200.00).
Needless to say that during this long period of Court proceedings the
tension among the faithful was high. The absolute majority of the people
remained loyal to the constituted Episcopate and supported the Episco-
pate Council in its actiQns. BUhop Moldovan had to rely on some trusted
friends in Detroit and three parishes in the t)"nited States: The Holy Trin-
ity of Detroit; Sts. Peter and Paw, Dearborn, Michigan and, later, St.
George the New of Indiana Harbor, Indiana.
The Court litigation continued through another hearing held on June
23, 1952. At this hearing Bishop Moldovan changed completely iUs argu-
ments. While at the first hearing he was claiming thlt he was elected IS a
113
Bishop by the Congress of the Episcopate, this time he claimed that an
election is not neccs,!ry because he was appointed through the authority
of the Palriarchate in Bucharest.
On Tue!day. July 8, 1952, Honorable Emetica 8. Frud, Judge of the
Federa1 Court in Cleveland rendered the following opinion:
IN THE DlSTRlCT COURT OF 11fE UNITED STATES
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRlC1' OF OHIO
EASTERN DIVISION
THE ROMANIAN ORTHODOX MISSIONAR Y
EPISCOPA TE OF AMERICA, ETC., Plaintiff.
,
".
No.27,9/6 I
lOAN TRU7ZA. et al.,
De/endJmts
OPINION OF HON. EMERICH B. FREED,
JUDGE OF SAID COURT,
RENDERED ON TUESDAY, JULY 8,1952,
10:00 O.CLOCK A.M.
Freed, J.: The Pltiinli/[ in this action, tiS bishop o{ Ihe ROmmUon Ortho-
dox MiuioniIIY EpiJCOptZte of America, seeks to obtain undisturbed poues-
sion and tXJntrQl of certain rem and personal property and to obtain oon
frol of the official church publication known tl$ the So/ia and Solid Calen-
dar, which he alleges the Defendmtl$ have wrongfully withheld from him.
He predicates his right to possession and control of this property on the
contention that he is the duly ordoined and consecrated bishop of the
Episcopate. He further aw relief against these Defendonts in the nil/un of .
an injunction to prevent them from interfering with his actMties as bishop
of the Episcopate and to restrain the defendonts from perpetrating any
acts which would in any wise injure him in his good name, fame and credit .
as the bishop of the Episcopate.
The Defenclimu deny that the Plizintiff. Andrei Moldovan, 1$ the duly
consecrated bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Missionary Episcopate of
America, and deny further that he has any right to possession and control
of the property in question. They further deny that he has the power and
authority to exercise the rights and prillileges of the bishop. It is the
contention of the Defendonts that if the Plaintiff, Andrei Moldovan, WOI,
in fact, consecrated a bishop by the Holy Synod at Bucharest, Romania,
he WIls consecrated as such bishop of a new and wholly separate Episco
pate.
The Defendants by WIly of counter<laim seek domages from the Plain
tiff sustained as a result of the possession and control by the Plaintiff of
114
1

,
!
,
I
,
certain proptilY located in the State 0/ Michigan, IJIId because of the
publiCQlion by the Plalntif{ of certain unfounded cluuges IuumfullJlld
detrimenlftl to the Epl$oopate, 0/ which the De/endants cillim tMt they
an the duly elected officers.
In the course 0/ the trial voluminous testimony was presented to SUI-
Min the respective contentions of the ptUties. However, the issues which
require the determiluztion 0/ this Court may be simplified and mmowed.
The Defendants contend and claim tMt the ROmatlilm Orthodox EpiJ-
copate 0/ Americo is governed by certain by/itwsadopted or/gilUllly by the
church Congreu 0/ 1912 and as amended in 1947, 19481J11d thereafter.
It is asserted tMI, among other things, those by-lam contained pr0-
visions whereby the Congress 0/ the Episcopate )!VS empowered to elect il$
own bishop.
According to the DefendJuits, Bishop Policarp Morup came to the
United Slates in 1915. either at the instance 0/ the Holy Synod of the
Romanilln Orthodox C7turch 0/ Romania or its patrlluch, or both. It is
further contended by the Defendanl$ tMt in 1936, upon the suggestion 0/
Bishop Po/ietup, the church Congress approved new by-laws which pr0-
vided for the election of the bishop by the Holy Synod and consecration
by Ihe patriarch, and further provided tlult the Episcoptlte in the United
States was to be administered, administratively, ctIItOnically, and spiritual.
ly, under the direction of the bishop with the approval 0/ the Holy Synod
at Buclulrest.
Bishop Policxup returned to BuchareJt in 1919 and never retumed to
the United States. From thaI time until the events in question here there
was IIQ bishop in the United State$.
The Defendants claim tMt in J947, becoweo/fearo/inter/erenceand
meddling by the Romanian authorities with church aI/a.in in the United
States, the Episcopate Council decided to create an autonomous Episco-
pate and to return to the bylIlws of J912 until proper amendments could
be prepared to con{onn to the new autonomous character 0/ the organi
zation.
De/endants contend tlult on March 28, J 947, a special Episcopate Con
gress assembled at Detroit, ptl$3ed a resolution restoring complete admin
istrative autOllQmy to the Episcopate and declaring the right 0/ the Con
gress henceforth to elect;l$ own bishop. New amended by-laws con{'uming
in all respecl$ to the resolution of the special Congren 0/ 1947 were
fimtlly adopted by the Congre$$ of 1948 and a new autonomous Episco-
pate was thus created.
It is also cillimed by the De/endJuits that the Pillintif/. Andrei Mol
dOlifllf, not only partook 0/ the deliberation which culmiluzted in the new
assertion 0/ autonomy 0/ the Episcopate, but that in his copadty as secre-
tory 0/ the Council he addressed a letter to the Patrlluch informing him 0/
the Council's refusol to accept one Nico as bishop of the Episcopate.
It is further contended by the De/endJuits IMt in J951, by proper
action, the episcopate severed its ties with the mother church in Buchsrest,
115
Rol11Jlnia, not only in n$peCt 0/ administrative motters but aJg:J In respect
0/ spiritual and canonical affairs.
The sole question for the determination 0/ this Court, therefore, iJ
whether or nor the Romanill.n Orthodox Minioruuy Episcopate or the
Romanllzn Orthodox Episcopote of Amerlco IuD achieved Q degree of
autonomy which is suffICient to permit it to elect its own bishop. If such l
autonomy rests in the Episcopate here. the selection and consecration of a ,
,
bislwp by the Holy Synod cannot empower such bishop to obtain posses- ~
siDn of the property in quation, nor can he obtain relief such as is sought -I
by the Plaintiff here, to exercise the privileges and prerogatives of bis.hop ,
over his Episcopate in Ihe United States. .
The elIidence clearly establishes that mch autonomy did exist by the ~
bylaws 0/ J 932 and that such autonomy was recreated by action 0/ the . 1
proper officials in 1947 and 1948. ~
I repeat, all that this Court must determine is whelMr or not lhe I
Episcopate in the United States possessed administrative autonomy to ,
elecl its own bishop.
The evidence is olJetWhelming tMt the by-liIws in effect and dUly l _
adopted at the time the PIIlintiff claims to Mve ascended to office required _
the bishop to be elected by the Episcoptlte Congress.
Although Andrei Moldovan, at the time of the hearing for preliminary ~ ' .
injunction, not only asserted but insisted over and oW!r again that he was-
elected by the chw-ch Congress in the United Stales, at this hearirlg he
specifically disclaimed any definite knowledge of his election by any group
in the United States, and the Court concludes from the testimony that no
doubt can pouibly arise that he was TU)t elected by the chlUCh Congress.
Not only was he not elected biUrop by the church Con,gn'u, but he
sun-eptitiously and with a clear intent 10 conceal his activities went to
Bucharest to be there consecrated a bishop.
The contentions of the DefendlUlts, which I have recited, haW! been
clearly established. The elJidence is conclush>e that the Epi!COpate enjoyed
an autonomous existence in $Q for as election of in bishop is concerned.
The PII1intiff is not entitled to the relief which he seeb In this Court.
The complaint will be dismissed at the cost of the Plaintif!.
Because of the evidence which I have just recited, it is clear that the
injunctive relief sought in the Defenelllnt's amended crosscll1im Urould be
granted in all respects. Therefore, the Plaintiff. Andrei Moidollflll, will be
pemutnently enjoined from representing himself as a priest or bishop of
the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America and from using the same
Solla as the title to any publication and/rom occupying or using the fIlnd, "
buildings and penonal property located on the VatTO Farm, commonly
referred to as the Vatra, Grass lAke, Michigan, except such personal
effects and penoNli property owneci by the Plaintiff Andrei Moldo\fQn
Individually and brought by him on the proPerty subsequent to April I, '
1951. '
De/endimu' evidence fails completely to establish their right to recowr ".
116
damages against this Plaintiff Therefore, the crou-clilim and the amended
cross-clilim will be dismissed in w far as they seek to recoJJe1' damage! {rom
the Plaintiff. Andrei Moldovan.
In accordance with the rules of this Court the Defendants will draw and
submit to this Court findings of fact and conclusions of law in conformity
with the findings of this Court.
Now, in respect of the contempt of which the PUzintiff Moldovan \\.W
found guilty by this Court, I am willing to hear either from him or from
counsel representing him in respect of the punishment or penalty thllt Is to
be inflicted for the violiltion of the Court's order.
(Discuuion had.)
THE COURT: It is. the judgment of this Court thll! a rille of $200 be
imposed. I do want to inquire whether he is in a position to pay thisfirre
at this time.
MR. VIN17LLA: Your Honor, he does not haW! it with him at this
time.
THE COURT: When will he have it?
MR. VINTlLLA: We will get it in afew dJIys. I will contact Detroit.
THE COURT: A motter of a few day, isn't specific, Mr. Vintilla. [will
give you until the 15th to pay thefirre, a week from today.
MR. VINTILLA: Yes, your Honor.
THE COURT: By 12:00 o'clock noon.
MR. VINTILLA: Yes, your Honor, the 15th of this month.
11IE COURT: I will permit him to lealle the court withoot furnishing
bond, but I am going to rely on counsel-
MR. VINTILLA: That the fine is paid?
11IE COURT: That the fine is paid or tflilt he will be here G: week {rom
todJly. if you don't wish to assume responsibility, J am afraid I can't do It.
MR. VINTILLA: I will assume that responsibility. The rme of $200 will
be paid by 12:00 o'clock noon on the 15th of this month.
THE COURT: All right.
(Adjournment.)
CERTIFICATE
f, A. V. Jllfl1eill, Official Court Reporter for the U.S. District Court, Nor
them District of Ohio, Eastern Division, do hereby certify tfllltthe abolle
and foregoing Is a true and accurate transcript of the abolle proceedings.
($) A. V. Jarvelo
Official Court Reporter.
The case was appealed by Bishop Moldovan at the United Siaies Court
of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
On May 29, 1953, and July 3,1953 the following decision was issued
by three judges of the Court or Appeals:
117
DECISION
of the United Stales Court of Appetlls, Sixth Qrcuit,
May 29, 1953, As Amended July 3,1953.
Alleged bishop of Romanion religious organization In United SlIltes and
Qmado brought action to compel surrender to him of possesrion and
control of ChUTCh property and to enjoin defendants {rom using or ex- "j
pending church funds, publishing church newspaper, and representing thot "
they were acting in beholf of religious organization" The United States
District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, F1eed, 1
J. , entered judgment adverse to alleged bishop, and he appeakd. The Cowt
of Appeals, Alkn, Circuit Judge. held thot evidence wtlJ' insuffICient to t
establish that aUeged bishop W4I elected bishop either by clwrch congress
or religious organization or by holy synod in Romanio. or by any eccJesI-
1
astiCllI body of the church. "
Judgment affirmed.
1
Where ROmDnian religious organiuJtion In United States and CaMda
had authority accordin8 to it! by-lawJ of 1932 to elect Its own lnshop, but 1
organizlltion by by-lIIws of J936 accepted authority of holy synod In
Romanio to appoint bishop, and in J947 orgtUlization discorered thilt it .
lMlS dealing, not with the Holy Synod and the Patrii1rch, but with"com- .
munistic gow:mmenr of Romania, which was dictlJting appointment of its
bishop. organization was entitled to r8\1Oke 1936 bylaws and
1932 by-/4w$ and elect its own bishop. !

In tion by lliJeged bishop of Romanilln religious orgmtzation in
United States and CaMda to compel surrender to him of possessicn and
control of church property and to enjoin defendants {rom using or. ex
pending church funds, publUhing church newspaper, and representing thilt
they were acting in behillf of religious organizlltion, alleged bishop had
bulden of proving lhil, he had been ekcted or consecrated as bishop of lhe
religious OIftlnizalion.
In action by aUeged bishop of Romanian religious orgllnization In
United Stales and Can0d4 to compel surrender to him of possessicn and
control of church property lind to enjoin defend4ltts from wing or ex
pending church funds, publishing church newspaper, and representing thllt
they were lJcting in behalf ofreligioUJ organization, evidence was insuffici-
ent to establish thilt IIlleged bishop hild been elected either by church
congress of religioUJ organization or by Holy Synod in Romania, or by any
,
1
j
1
ecciedastical body 0/ the church. 1
John R. Vintilla, aeveland, Ohio, Andrew W. Kops, Cincinnati, Ohio t
(Owen c. Neff. C1eveland, Ohio, on the brie/), for appellant. ii'
William P. Strrln,gwtll"d, Ciew:land, Ohio (Strrlngward, Lloyd d: Cameron,
Qeveland. Ohio, on the brief),/orappelleel"
118
Before SIMONS, Ottef Judge, and ALLEN and MARTIN, Circuit
Judges.
ALLEN. Circuit Judge.
Th& an appeal from a of the DIstrict Court dismWing a
complaint p1flJ'ing for iniunclion and equitable relief sought by plaintiff
MoldoVQn, c14iming to be bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Missionary
Episcopate of America, hereafter caiJM the Episcopate. (T1Ii! partin will
be denominated as in the court below.)
Since 1929 the adlrerents of this church, a branch of the &lstem Ortho-
dox Church, have bun building a religious organization in the United
States and in Dlnada and have tu:quiml MUin real property at the
"Valnl'," Grtm Lake, Michigan, which is uJed tu hetldquarten of the Epis-
copate. A joumal called "Solfa" is published IU the Episcopate's official
organ. T1Ii! amended complaint /lied by MoldoWIII In his aileged offlcilll
capacity on behalf of the Episcopate tuIc! for surrender to pWntif! Mol-
dollQJl of possession and control of the real property and for an order
mlnl'ining defendants from wing or expending any {unth owned by the
Episcopate, from publishing the newspaper, and from thttt
they are acdng on behaJ{ of the Episcopate.
The defendants deny that the pl4lnd/l Moldovan Iuu been elected or
consecrated tU bishop of the Episcopate and that he has any right to
possenion and oontrol of the property.
The action pwports to be instituted by the Episcopate throllgh the
pIointiff Moldovan, but It clearly appears thllt the established episcopate u
resisting this action, for it /lIed an answer and a CTO#-claim Including a
d6im for damages not 11fllterial here which was dismined by the District
Court. 17Ie defendants are influential memben of the Episcopate, the
defendimt 'J)utza being president of the Council. As such they are In
possessWn and control of the headquarten and of the So/la, and
this period haW! C1ITrled on the ecclesiaJtlCfl/ business of the organization.
While the Episcopate has been known by at/east six different nomes, until
1950 there WIU but one organization denominated by these names,
nomely, that formed in 1929, now luwtng many parishes in the United
States and Canada. This is the organization controlled by the defendants.
Each party contends that It Is the authentic Episcopate group and that the
opposing group are schismatics or dissidents. It if conceded, however, thllt
the group supporting Moldovan was lately formed, having met rust in MIly,
1950, and luwing signed Articles of Association as an ecclesiastical c0r-
poration in the Slate of Michigan in June of that year. This is not the
body which Moldovtln claims 10 represent in thil case. He d6imslo repre-
sent the body formed in 1929.
The controversy arises out of the followiltg facts which, for the mOSt
part, are not in dupute. Jtlhen the Episcopale was founded il had the
power to elect ils own bishop. This was customary at the time in the
EtUtern Orthodox OIurrh al waJ Mown by unconl7OW!rted teuimony with
reference to the practice in Ttunsylvtlnia, where the bishop \lG'S elected by
119
the delegates to the OIurcll Congress and then a p p r o ~ e d by tile Metropoli-
tan. The SQme statute exists today. This right was recogniwd in the Episco-
pate by-laws of 1932. These prollided tllat tile Romaniall Orthodox
amrch in tile United States and Conada '1orms an autonomom mission
ary episcopate maintaining spiritual and canonical unity willi tile Holy
Synod with the Rotnanilln Orthodox Church and organic alliilnce with the
RanI/mum Orthodox Patriarchate." Article VII provided that the bishop
sJwuld "be elected by the Churcll Congress of Parishes belonging to the
Episcopate called 30 days in advance, and presided by a special delegate of
the Holy Synod; the elected one- shall receillC, if he meets all the canoni-
all requirements, the canonical investiture from His Holiness the Patriarch
of the Romanian Orthodox Church, in accordal/ce with the tradition of
the Orthodox OlUlch. "
The Holy Synod is a body of bishops of the Romaniiln Orthodox
Olurch resident in RomalJiiI and the Holy Patriarch, the supreme exc(u-
1iI'C, also resides in Romaniil. When Bishop Morup was sent to America
by the Holy Synod ill 193.5 he came at the request of the Episcopate. The
Holy Synod thus recognized the autonomy of the group and its right to
take action with reference 10 appointment of a bishop.
A OIurch Congress was held in 1936 at which Moldol'Qn states that
8isJIOp Morusca "imposed" a new statute on the Episcopate and secun'd
the adoption of new bylaws. These by-laws provided {or the ele,tioll of
the Bishop by the Holy Synod in Bucharest and for COllsecratiOIl by the
Patriarch. They also prollwed that "The Holy Synod of tht! Romanian
Orthodox Church is the most supreme authority pertaining to spiritual alui
CtlfIoniaIl malters, and supreme {arum concernillg religious matters of
wJ/IltellCr nature they may be "
From 1939 when Bishop MOn/sea returned to Bucl/llrest, Romania,
until this controversy, no bishop of the Episcopate has resided jn the
United States unless the plaintiff Moldovall is a duly eJected and conse
CTtIled bishop.
In /947 the legation of the Romanian government informed the Epis,"(J-
pate that one Nica had beell appoillted Bi$lJop of the i:.piSCOINJte afld ifl
effect ordered the Episcopate Iv accept him. nle officials of till! Epis-
copate thereupon called a speciillOlurch Congress at /)etroit which passed
a resolution to restore authority tl) the Episcopate and to reenact ill sub
stance the bylaws of /932, including tire right of the Churcll Col/gress to
elect a bishop. In J 948 new by-laws framed ill conformity to this
resolution were submitted to a Church Congress alld llnanimou!iy passed.
Plaintiff Moldovan, who claims /lOW to be bishop, took part in monyof
these deliberations as secretary of the tpiscopate alld wrote tlw Patriarch
in Romania informing him of the action of the Episcopate ill re-Slablish-
ing autonomy.
While the testimony of Moldovan is eva!ive and confusing, it appears
that some time in May, 19.50, a secnnd group, including priests of the
Romanian Orthodox Church, nomu/Ilted plaintiff MoltJolIQlI as bisilop.
120
Moldoval/ asserts that he was elected by the /loly Synod in Romania a/ld
consecrated by the Patriarch. At the trial MoldollOu prcsellted a te/{-gram
dated July 14, 1950, whidl purported to state "n'e Holy Synod has
approlli!d the election of Father Archpriest Andrei Moldolltlu to the IlQcallt
seat of bishop . ..
The District Court he/d that but one questioll was presented, /lamely,
whether the Romauian Orthodox MiStiol/ary Episcopate had (lcl/ielled a
degree of autOIlQmy sufficient to permit it to clect its own bishop. The
court held that sllch aUft)lIomy did exist under tlte by-laws of 1932 and
_s recreated by action of the proper officials ill 1947 alld /948. Sinct the
by-laws of 1912 required the biS/lOp to be t'lected by the OlUrch Congress,
the District Court denied the injunctillC f(!lief sought by plaintiff MuidollQn
and permfmently enjoined him from representing himSl.:lf as a priest or
bis/WI' of the Romanilln Orthodox Episcopate of America, from using the
name "Solill" as the title to any publication, and frum (JCcupying ur using
the land, buildings and personal property located 011 tilt' Va"a farm, Crass
LIlke, Michigan.
Plaintiff urges that this hoMing was clearly erroneous. It is colltellded
Ihat Ihe piu.:Opt1le is parI of a t-efltrai organized clwrdl al/d Ihat the Huly
Synod and Ihe Patrillrch ',all(! the exc/usillC l1()wcr of elecling, cOl/secrating
and inllesling a bishop. II is asserted that MoldulIOn was dilly elected and
coIISecraled alld that pioiflliff organization atld pioillliff Moldovan as
biS/lUp hold title jointly to "Vatra." It is further colltclICled tllIlllhe ekc-
lion, consecration and inrestitute of Mo/dol'(JlI aJllstitutl'!i a decish.m by
the Holy Synod on a mailer of inlemat clwrcll gOll'Cmment alld as SIIch af(!
binding 0 11 tile cillif courts (If this COl/lIlry. nit! ,Jlaillliff cites Wlleral stale
decisiotlS in support of the$t! proposilions and relies princil)Qlfy upon
WalW" v. Jones, 13 Wall. 679, 20 L.Ed. 666, and Kedruffll. SI. Nicholas
Co.tlledral of tile RUSSial1 Orthodox Olllf(!h ill North America, 344 U.S.
94,72 S.Ct. 143.
While the died holdings state the general law upon the subj,'ct, IIIt'do
not discuss them ill cietail becau$t! we think they do Il ot gOll('m Ihe pr('S('1It
colltroW!rsy. In the Kcclrofl case, supra, wI/h.:" was al/lKmtIC:ed after IIIC
illStant case was decided ill the District COllrt, the SIIP"'nIC Court held
that legislalion whieh determines ill a hierarchiCtlI dlUrch tile et'Clesiastical
administration (Jr appoilllment 01 the clergy, or Iranslt'rs CO/llro{ of
churches from one group 10 another, interferes with tht! free exc'rdses of
religion COlllrary to the Co,utitution. Heft' no ordinance, staWte or am-
gressionai enactment is ill)l(){llCd. n'is is 1I0t a CtlJe of it-gislation claim(u to
be Iliolated of the First Amendment to Ihe CcJllstitutiU/I of III/! Unitt'li
States. It is a controllersy be/ween the American and Co./ladian d lUrdl
group and the Communistic gOIlen/ment ill Romania -wvrking throllgh the
hierarchy.
V'c colllfOllersy arose after the adoption of the by-laws of 1936
through the appoimment of a bishop by the gollCrllmell/ of Romania. This
is conceded by MoIdOlJQI/, wllo stated that the president j1l the regular
121
meeling of February 21, 1947, read "an official letter received from the
Romanian Legation, Washington, D.C., which says thatlhe bishop for the
American Romanians was named in the person of Dr. A. Niea and notifies
us to receive him . .. A protest agm.-nSf this action was sent by cablegram to
the Patriarch and also to Ihe Mini8ler of Cults of Ihe government of
Romania. On the same day the council voted to suspend the 1936 statutes
and to put into force the statutes of 1932, restoring autonomy and the
right of the Episcopate to elect its bishop.
Moldovan, who was secretary of the council, explained this action to
the Patriarch Nicodemus at Bucharest. Romania, in a letter dated April 30,
1947. After protesting the loyalty of the Episcopate, Moldovan continues:
"By virtue of this loyalty. we have been opposed not to the Holy
Synod, not to your Beatitude neither to His Grace Bishop Nica,-of whose
integrity and Archpnestly (hierarchical) worthiness we have no doubt,-
but against the meddling of the political power in the affairs of Ihe Church.
That is why our Church Congress, held on March 28. 1947, resolved to
abrogate the statute, which was imposed upon us by His Grace the Bishop
of The Western Un-Orthodox Countries (i.e . Policarp), which (Statute)
hod made us a section of an Episcopate created outside the boundaries of
the United States,-and (decided) to return to the original Statute which
had been approved by the Holy Synod in November 1929. In confonnity
with the provisions (dispositions) of this Statute and with those of the
High Decree No. 10,219 of November lst, 1930. we have been granted
autonomy and Ihe right 10 elect the Bishop, a right enjoyed by other
Episcopates too, without harming by this, in any maJSure, the canonical
tie w;th the Mother Church.
"As eloquent proof of our wish, the very same Church Congress re-
quests, unanimously, with all the humbleness of your Beatitude, who are
our Metropolitan, to kindly consent and commWlicate to us a list of
candidates who are worthy of your high trust, without the meddling o/Ihe
Government. and who possess pronounced qualities of a real (true) Parent,
so that we can /ill the vacant bishopaJ chair, in the Congress which is
convening for this purpose on the 4th of July, 1947, at the Romanian
Vatra. "
It does not appear that such a list was submitted.
In conformity with the resolution of 1947 the duly elected Church
Congress of 1948 ufUlnimously passed extensive by-laws which contained
the following statement:
"Art. 2. Character. - By the will and through the unanimous decision of
the Congress of the parishes. this Episcopate is and shall remain auto-
nomous having the right to regulate (legislate), to administer and conduct.
through its legally constituted (elected and instituted) OIgans. all its relig-
ious, cultural and financial affairs, in conformity (accordance) with the
Canons and Laws of the Orthodox Church. in general. and in accordance
with the dispositions 0/ this Statute and with the decisions of the Episco-
pate's Oiurch Congresses, in speciai,-respecting in its entirety the Con-
122
stitution of the Countries in which this Episcopate has (exercises) church
(religious) Jurisdiction.
"In regolds to spiritual, canonicol and dOgmlltic aspects the Episcopate
preserves its unily with the Ecumenical OIurch of the &Ut, - in general,-
and, in speciiJl, with the Au/acephalous Orthodox Church of Romanill."
It -s after this action that the group supporting MoldollQn split off
from the Episcopate, !Jet up its Ichismotic body and nominated MoldoJlOll
as bishop. The council of the Episcopate then determined to take /ego/
action to protect the Episcopate, both in its properly and in its cof/()nicoi
pri"ileges and in its meeting of NOl'f!mber 16, 1950, unanimowly decided
that ellery member of the council should sixn "a Declaration of loyalty to
the Episcopate, rejecting an)' foreign meddling: in the spiritual and
administrative aUain."
The final action -s taken at a special Chwch Congress of the Episco-
pate held at Chicago on July 1,2,3, and 4 of 195J, in which wuious
resolutiom were adopted reasserting the autonomy of the Romanian Or
thodox Missionary Episcopate of America and changing its name to "The
Ronumktn Orthodox Episcopate of America." Among the resolutions
adopted were the following:
"1. Whereas the ROmiUlian Orthodox Parishes and The Ronumian
Orthodox Episcopate of America Iun>e all been organized, supported and
maintained by the faithful members of the Romanian Orthodox Faith,
citizens or residents of the United States and of The Dominion of Can-
ada, -
"2. Whereas, in order to twUre the cQllOnical contirwily and the
Apostolic succession of The Holy Eastern Orthodox Church, The Roman-
ian Orthodox Episcopate of America, at the time of its organization had
asked to become a component part of the Orthodox Olwch of Romania,
and, at the same time, had reserved for hene/f the right to administer and
to conduct her own affain autonomously, through properly constituted
OIurch Congresses, compo!Jed of the delegates of the parishes and also the
exclusille right to nominate and elect its own BisJwp.-
"3. Whereas, following the installation in Romania of a Communist,
dictatorial, anti-christian and anti.<Jemocratic gOllemment, - the Orthodox
OlUrch of Romania:
"(aJ is no longer free to preach the Word of God nor to propagate
the true teachings of the Holy Eastern Orthodox Church and her Faith,
"(b) with complete dirngard for the organizational Statutes of our
Episcopate continues to meddle in problems, the solution of which is the
exclusive right of the members of our Episcopate,
"(e) through her present leadership, completely enslal/led by the
political rulers propagates among our faithful peoples here, ideals which
are contrary to the free life conceptions and ideals held and respt:cted by
the American citizens,
"Now, therefore, BE IT RESOL VED that:
.. The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America be and the same is
123
hereby decl4nd to be completely QUtonomous not only in itl administrs
but also in {If ctmOnJcoI tpbituaJ ajfain. and l/w, from all rules.
rqu/lltiotU, olden, decree,. etc., nnmwtin8 from the Puflfgrdr or {rom the
Holy Synod of Romlllli4."
I. We think Ihilt thell/! fac'I pnxnt a IitlUlrion not covered by sny
decision cited by the ,plaintiff. The original group utablished in 1929,
although autonomora, wa.t willing to accept the authority 0/ 1M Holy
Synod and .to expreued llUl! In the 1!y-hzwl 0/ /936. but in 1947 It '
dUcoW!red llull it WIll dealing, not with the Holy Synod and the Patriorch,
but with the Communistic govvnmmt of Roman"', which WIU diclIIling i
1M appoflltment olitl bUlrop in the United StillU 0/ Amnkrl and Canado.
It discolitled ,hIl, the conlTOlJing and principtJ/ ptITty to the 4&ltement o{ I
1935-6 WO.I totally different {rom the one with whic1r il thought it Iwd
been detlling. WI!' agree with 1M District Cowl llull under these ciTcum
lIlli'll the de/end4ntl wen entitled to rel'O,u their pn)liow by-law, and
to the by-law, 0/1932. We also think IhIlt this conclusion II in l
accord with the Jpirlt, if not with the letter, O/ lhe Kedro[{ Ctlse, which 1
decliuel Ihllt "Freedom to JelecllM clergy, where no improper methods
of choice are proven muJt now be:said to Nn>e federuJ constitutional
protection tu a {XITt of the flu exercise of religion qWul state inter- ..
feren .. Situ:e this is true as to protection against the inter/erena of an
indMdUld Amedarn state, we think it should be eqUldIy tu to protec-
tion against the domination and inlerfmmce of aforeign slate. {
II. The decision mlUt in any CQIe pe.affumed upon thegrowuf thllt the \
plaintiff Moldovan has not borne the bun/en of proof in mowing Ihllt he
has been elected or consecrated as biJhop of the Episcopate. .\
The only evidence as to the election of MoidoWln tu bWrop, by the 1
Holy Synod iJ his own inconsistent, contradictory testimony and certllin i
IlIWUthmtiarted papers which he prtJe1lIf to supfJ<l't his story. One of
tbest docummtJ hils the lIIlme "Jwtinilm" at the top and beau a signature }
purporting to be thot o[ the Patriarch Justinian locum tenel1s il1 Bucha-
Fest. Typewritten extracn of speecheJ which MoldoWln !totes he made in
Bucluue!l 01 the time of his claimed election art alJO included. The "
cllrimed speeches are entirely Itlf-serving. .;
A deCt!ption which he practiCl!d upon his parUhionen in Akron, Ohio, ,;
a/$O Jerioudy affecn his credibility. In 1950, MoldoWI/I announced to hiJ :j
pariJh in Akron, Ohio, that he -s going to Hot SpringJ, Ark. , for hiJ {
health. He arranged to mail poJt cords signtd by himMlf from Hot Spring$, i
Ark., to members of hI! parish in Akron. 'Three of these post cards I
included in the record art dated J, 1950; but MoldOWI/I'Jpau- 1
port for IraYeI to Romania, abo in evidenCl!, WQS issued August 22, 1950, ,
and valid for three months up to November 21,1950. On November 10,
1950, the passport WI1f extended for a period of one month by the Arneri- 'j'
ean Legption at Bucharat. Moldovan claims IMt he was in Romania 01
about the time that he -.t sending post cards from Hot Springs, Ark., to j
his parishionen in Akron. The possibility of error or fraud in Je/{-serving i
124
or htmwy sl4temenn fJUJ'POrting to comtitute evidence of o/fleW actJ
perfonned in II country thoWlltfds ofmi/es dutllllt IUId sepdITlted {rom 1M
United Slates by tM Iron Curtain is lel{-evident.
The reconJ is replete with MoJdowms incolUistent and contTtldictOTy
Matemena and repeated e w u i ~ an.nw; s.
III The Dhtrlct Court commented upon Moldowm's el'tlliveneu and
the duup clumges of {ront mlllli{efted In his testimony. The faetuol con-
clwlons of the DIstrict Court are strongly supported by the recotd. A
drastic remedy like injunction should not be issued upon such flimsy
proof. As Moldowmlw not shown hlmJel{ to be a bishop elected either by
the Church Congreu, by the Holy Synod or by any eccleJlastictJJ body of
the RotnlllJlan Orthodox MtuJonillJl Epi$copate he is not entitled to the
relief $Ought.
The judgment of the District Court u ai/firmed.
A Petition for certiorari filed with the Supreme Court of the United
States was denied on October 10, 1953, cue no. 422, October term.
LookinJ for. poaltiYe solution
For the leadership of the Episcopate, the year 19Si started with an
overload of conoerns and problems. The offioen of the Episcopate were
summoned in the Civil Courts; the Patriarchate in Rom.anis wu using hlgh.
geared pressures to have Bishop Andrei Moldovan accepted and recognized
by the Diocese In America; the budget of the Episcopate was so limited
that most of the time there was not enough cash to pay postal expenses,
without mentioning that lawyer fees had to be paid. '
At the same time there was no definite word from Bishop Policarp that
he might be permitted to return to his Su. On the contrary, Bishop
Moldovan', publications (pseudo-SOUA calendar of 1951) aUeged that
Bishop Policarp considered himself in retirement and fully ''supported''
the appointment of Bishop Moldovan for the Diocese in America.
To seek advice and to fonnulate a common strategy for the future,
I:'ather John Trutzi, the President of the Episcopate Council met on Jan-
uary 6, 1951 with the President of the Romanian National Committee, Mr.
Rum Nan, with the Very Reverend John Spatarlu, the leader of the Ameri
can Romanian Catholics of America, and the Very ReYerend Father John
Stanila, Secretary of the Council.
Analyzing the situation, they concurred that what happens with the
Romanian Orthodox Episcopate is of concern to all Romanian-American
communities and pledged to work together to prevent any interference
from Romania in their affaiu. As a practical approach to the immediate
problems of the Episcopate they agreed that it is not enough to fight back
encroachment from Buchuest but that it is necessary to work toward a
constructive solution by electing a bishop for the Diocese to serve III Vicar
until such time that Bishop Policarp could clarify his position.
The question discussed for many hours was: who should be considered
125
as a candidate. The Episcopate Congress held in July in Philadelphia had
already resolved that no one of the priests serving at that time under the
jurisdiction of the Episcopate could be considered as a qualified candidate.
TIley concluded that the edi tor of SOLIA. a graduate of theology. Mr.
Viorel D. Trifa. might be the person to look to.
That same day they approached Mr. Trifa with the question if he would
consent to accept a candidacy through the Episcopate Council. The
response from Mr. Trifa was in the negative. However, he agreed thai the
presence of a Bishop at the head of the Diocese could have a positive
effect in the struggle to uphold the integrity of the Romanian Episcopate.
He suggested as a candidate the Very Reycrend Archimandrite Stefan
Lucadu, who was known 10 him from Romania and who was living as a
refugee in Paris, France, hoping that he might be able to emigrate to the
United States.
Contact was immediately established with Archimandrite Lucadu and
arrangements were made to publish in SOLIA some articles by Archi-
mandrite Lutaciu so that he could become known among the fait hful in
Ameri ca.
nle Episcopate Council mee tings of March 16 and May 26, 195 1 dis
cussed the subject of election of a bishop at the coming Congres! very
thoroughly. The prospecti ve candidacy of Archimandrite Lucaci u was wel-
comed but the general consensus was that the Congren should not be
faced with only one candidate, without an al ternative. Therefore, the de
cision was taken to offiCially invite both Archimandrite Lucaciu and Mr.
Trifa to accept the candidacy.
Following the meeting of the Council Mr. Trifa received from the Epis-
copate Council the following letter :
Qevelirnd, Olllo June 4, 1951
My dear Mr. Tri/a:
Concerned with the problem of filfillg the office of bishop of Ollf
RO""lIIi1Jn Orthodox Episcopate of America, the Council of this
Episcopate, ill it& two meetings-March 16 alld May 26, / 95/ - Iras
decided to moke the necessary preparations for the electiol/ of a
Vicar Bi&l/Op, with the right of sliccession to the col/onical head of
the Episcopate, and, until the clarification of tIll! status of His Grtu."e
Bishop Po/icarp, the titular head of this Episcopate. alld that the
(]Jureh Congress of tire Episcopate which will be held ill Oll'cago on
July 2, /951, be called as a speciIJl electoral Congress.
From the transcripts and diplomas which are available tv the
Episcopate Coullcil, it WQS verified with joy alld 5IJtisfactioll that yOIl
have the proper theological training and priestly qllalifications re-
quired of a Ctlndidate to the Bishopric of our Orthodox OIurch. alld
on the basis :J/ this, the Collncll decided with the unanimous IIO fe of
its memben, to nominate you as a candidate to the office of Vicar-
Bishop of ollr Episcopate. The undersigned 1U1$ been empowered to
126
notify you of this fact, which I do with great pleasure and spiritual
satisfaction, and to ask you at the same time, after you have received
this official notification and considered the candidacy and have
made your rewille in this matter, to be so kind to let us know your
decision so that we could act accordingly.
With sincerest congratulations on the occasion of this 'Well-
merited candidacy and with the sincere!! best wishes for good
health, we await your response and ask that you accept my assur-
ance of respect and 101le.
(Episcopate Seal)
(ss) John Trutza
President of the Council
A simiJar letter was addressed to Archimandrite Stefan Lucaciu in Paris.
With the understanding that his candidacy is forwarded by the Episco-
pate Council to the Congress mainly to give the clergy and parish delegates
a chOice, Mr. Trifa responded to the invitation through the following
letter:
Ocvefand, Ohio June 14, 1951
The Very Rev. Father Archpriest John Trutza
President of the Episcopate Council of
the Romtllfian Orthodox Episcopate
6201 Detroit Allenue
Oeveiand, Ohio
Very Reverend Father President,
Honorable Epj.fCOpatc Council,
I confirm the receipt of your letter in which you bring to my
attention the decision of tllc Honorable Episcopate QlUncilto put
forth my candidacy for the office of Bishop- Vieor of the Romanian
Orthodox Episcopate of America.
Naturally I feel /lattered for the honor accorded me and pray to
God that He will guide me with His heavenly power, in the moment
in which I must answer if I accept or not the offer made to me.
I COII/cSS I cannot hide thc inner conflict which overwhelms me
whcn I think that the future of the Holy Romanian Orthodox Epis-
tvpate could sollie day weigh upon my shoulders.
Therefore, in my meditations, I alUllyzed the needs of the Episco-
pate, which destiny allowed me to know closely during this past year
and the possibilities of a bishop to meet them.
The conclusion I have reached is that to reSolve the current and
future problems of our Episcopate, the election and enthronement
of a bishop is not suJfident, if he is not assured of the basic con-
ditions wuler which he con work.
Among others, I consider as first and absolutely necessary the
following:
I. Administrative and canonical independence of the Episcopate
127
{rom the pruent leadenhip of the Holy Synod and the PDtri-
tUchllte in Bucharest. for only In thn way can we Qperate un-
hindered as a free institution in this free AmericJm 1IInd,
2. The increase of membership in OUT parishes and Epi$()()pate.
by granting eqUill rights and obligations to all persons confessing
OUT faith-nutn and women-who have reached the age of 18,{or
only in this way can our youth become more IlWOlved in the
tJdministrtrtion, leadership and the future of the Church of OUT
Forefathen.
3. The indissolubOity of the relations between parishes and the
Episcopate by limiting or denying the right of an organized {JIlrlsh
to withdraw from the Episcopate at the whims of a group which
might at !Ome time take over the leadership. Only in this way can
the Episcopate inalienably preserve the assets acquired through
the effons of the preceding generations who dedicated them ex-
clusively for the benefit of the Romanian Orthodox Church in
America.
4. The assurance of a permanent budget of the Episcopate which
wiJJ allow it to organize a stable and pemument office and
especially to improve the "Vatra Rom4neasca" to the extent thllt
it will bring hOMr to OUT good name and organization. The sys-
tem of public solicitation anwng the faithful can be ~ r y good.
but when it comes to collective efforts of greater magnitude. they
are not ttpproprillte to SUS14in an organization which mUtt exe,..
dse a miui01ll1TY, cultural, charitable national activity. If the
Bishop must spend all his time collecting mone)' to sustain him-
self and the few coW! at the VatTa, then he becomes a busineu-
man and fOl'gets that he is a bishop.
S. A constitution and by'laws to detail in the most precise terms
the relationship between the Bishop and clergy, between the epis-
copate and the parishes, constitution that must be respected by
all and must define the right of the Bishop to apply effective
IItlnctions against those who will not abide by them. and at the
IItlme time the right of the OIurch Congress and the Synod to
apply sanctions ellen against the Bishop, if he himselfwill not live
up to the canons and the law$.
1 found the above-mentioned conditions as necessary because of
the fact tlult if it n undoubtedly detrimental tlult a Diocese {unction
without a Bishop, it is also detrimental to the Faith to have a Bishop
without a Diocese.
Hoping thot you wHl appreciate the fact tlwt just as the thoughts
of Ihe Honorable council are to find a suitable solution for the
functioning and prosperity of our Holy Episcopate, Iikewtse my
thoughts /JI'e expressed with the intention to fmd the best possible
paths to respond to your request, I conclude:
If the Honorable Council and the Honorable OI.urch Congreu
12'
.
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
find It appropriote to debate and rem/lle the lloove-ment/oned prob-
lemf, I you tlutt 111m rtIldy to tlCpt the honor of amdid4t
ing N . if elected, to ftrille to do all 'Nhlch IJ lumumly pol$lblt for
the we/ftue of OUT Holy Oturch.
A hittorbl Onuch eonpe ..
With dlJlingulJhed
($I) Viorel D. Trifa
Edilor of "Solla."
The annual Olwch Congress of the Episcopate was calJed to meet in
0Ucaa0. Dlinois. for July 1.2,3 &. 4. 1951 . The Astnda included not only
the election of a Vicar Bishop but a lot of other mltten of major signifi
cance for the future of the Diocese.
This was the fitst Conpe .. in which the supreme administrative and
legislative body of the Diocese met after the incident with Bishop
Moldovan. The Episcopate Council had, dutifully! resisted the pressures to
accept a Bishop that was not elected by the Diocese, but now all the clergy
and pariah delegates had to pronounce them8Clve. on the subject.
But Bishop Moldovan's cue involved also the relations of the Romanian
Orthodox Episcopate in America with the Mother Church in Romani .
Without any doubt, clergy and lay people held dearly thelt tradition. and
were proud of thelt Romanian orgill. Truly, they founded their parishes
without any help from the Mother Church in Romania, but every time
they needed a priest they wrote home and occWonaUy their needs were
satisfied. When they felt the necessity to organize in a Diocese they reo
ceived a helping hand from the Mother Oturch. After the establishment of
the Diocese they petitioned for a Bishop and one wu found in the person
of PoUcarp Morusca.
What they could not understand was the total change in attitude by the
new leadership of the Patriarchate. On the one side all the requests for the
return of Bishop Policarp were disregarded by the Romanian Patriarch.te,
while on the other hand BWtops were appointed without the knowledge or
at leut the consent of the Diocese in America.
To compound the problem WlS the political Involvement of the Roman
ian Pltriuehate in Buchuut. At I time when American soldiers were
fighting to uphold the principles of freedom and self detennination of the
people of Korea, the new Patriarch of Romania, Justinian, was making
appeals like the one published in "Via\l Sindica!'l" of Bucharest in its issue
No. 1021 of January 16,1951.
He.lp f or the. People. of
"In the iliUM of the. Romanllln Orthodox o,urch, the PIItriluch
of Romanill, Jwtinilln, oddru&ed to the. people. and the faithful
memben of thu (Juqch an appeal, urgfng the.m to come. to the
support of the haole lfIlt/on of Kana, whose fltht for liberty and
129
I1Iltionai independence Iuls aroused the sympathies of honest people
aU over the world.
"Hundreds of millions of people of good faith and with love for
the truth, from aU over the world-SllYs the urging appeal-are feIIOlt
ing against what the Americans are doing in Korea. People with love
for their fellowman and for justice can never forget either the chil-
dren buried alive nor the heads of innocent children which were cut
o!lby the American murderers who wereemulalingamong themselves
in doing this. Together with all the peaceable and working peoples,
the ROmllnw.n I1Iltion has the SflCred duty to send its brotherly help
to the Korean nation and thus to lighten their heroic suffering by
contributing their put to the glorious Sflcrif/Cts and offerings of all
humankind, for the sake of establishing peace on earth. "
A1though shocked and frustrated by such pronouncements, the Episco- ,
pate Council did not want to give up hope of communications and rela-
tions with the Patriarchate in B]lCbarest. Therefore, as a last resort, it was
decided that before the Congress in Chicago a MEMORANDUM be sent to
the Patriarchate with copies to all the members of the Holy Synod. Some
members of the Council believed that if all the Bishops in Romania would
be made aware of the situation, someone will reconsider the policy
adopted by the central organs of the Romanian Church.
Under the signature of the Secretary of the Council, the Very Reverend
John Stanila, the foUowing Memorandum was sent to Romania:
mE ROMANIAN ORTHOOOX EPISCOPATE OF AMERICA
Office of the Epi$COpate: 6201 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland 2, Ohio
May 15, 1951
To the Holy Synod
of the Romanftm Orthodox Church
The Romanilln Patriarchate,
Buc1uuest
Your Holiness President
Your Eminences.
The undenigned President and Secretary of the Episcopate Coun
eil of "The ROmiUlilln Orthodox Missiol1llry episcopate in Ameri-
ca," being entrusted by the Episcopate Council, representing the
absolute majority of the Romanilln Ortlwdox [XUIshes of North and
South America, with due respect bring to Your Eminences' attention
the following:
As you well know, the ROl'lflUlilln immigrann of the Orthodox
faith who settled in America, in the desire to provide for their $pirl-
twlllife. built with their own Iobon and monies churches and Orgtln-
ized parishes in all the Romani4n eenten in the United Stattl and
<AMa..
130
,
,
,
,
For the purpose to set up an organic connection between the
scattered parishes Qlfd for a proper canonical administration 01 the
religiolU activities, the clergy and lay people became convinced of
the necessity to estfJblish fJn Episcopate. 11Ius, after preliminary
meetings held in Qeveland fJnd in other /ocfJlities, the authorized
delegfJtes from fJU the porishes, through the Congress held on April
25, 1929 In Detroit, declared as founded the "Romonian Orthodox
Episcopate 01 America," which they submitted canoniCQlIy to the
Holy Synod of the Romtlnilln Orthodox Church.
The Holy Synod in its meeting of November 1929 approved the
proceedings of the Congress held in April, in Detroit, fJIId His Holi-
ness Patriarch Miron, as head of the Romanian Orthodox Church,
through the High Decree No. 10.21901 November 1, 1930, declared
the RomaniJJn Orthodox Episcopate of America IU established
canonically and invested the Interim Commission with complete
administrative powers to organize, direct and conduct the affairs of
this EpiJcopate unti/the election of a Bishop.
The new Epl3copate luzd been organized in conformfty .with the
canons of the Holy Orthodox Church, with the Statute olorgani-
zation of the Romanian Orthodox Church and in consldefation of
the necessities arising from the $Ocilli, cultural and economic con-
ditions of the American Ii/e. In 1932, at the Congress held in Cleve-
land, the Statutes of thi! Episcopate were adopted in definitive form
and, after a period of testing recommended by the Central OIurch
Council of the Romtlnian Patriarchate, the Statute was ratified by ,
the Holy Synod in its session 01 June 15, 1933, and consequently
the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America was declared as
established through the publicfJtion in the Officiol Monitor No. 105
of May 8, 1934.
11Ie basic principles of the American Episcopllte Statutes were,
from the beginning, the following:
fJ) fJ unified organizfJtion, with the participation 0/ all the com-
ponent parts of the Church: clergy and /qymen, and with a
democratic system 0/ governing;
b) total autonomy. tlutt is, the right to regulate, conduct and
rtI/lnoge, through its own proper organs, its religious, cultural
and administrative matters;
c) dogmatic unity with the Orthodox Church of Romania;
d) observance and respect of the iawsof the country in which we
find ourselves.
On this basis, by the will of the people, in 1934. the executil1f!
officers of the Epj$CCpate asked the Holy Synod to send a hierarch
with full sacramental powers to shepherd the flock of faithful. His
Grace Policarp Morusca was then sent and accepted. ,
His Grace PolicaTp lead our Episcopate until 1939, when during a
visit to Romania he was caught there by the events of the Second
13l
World War. Since then and until today our Episcopate is deprived of
irs spiritual head. During thu period the Episcopate has been and
still is adminutered by an Episcopate Council elected through the
vote of the delegates of all parishes.
In order tlult this temporary situation cease, the legal leadership
of the Episcopate hos repeatedly reqmmed the intervention of the
Holy PatrillTchate to the governing authorities in Bucharest, to per-
mit the return of His Grace PoIicarp to his post. To our surprise,
instead of the return of His Grace Policarp, a letter was received in
February, 1947, from the Romanian Legation in Washington, in-
forming us that His Grace Bishop Antim Nica was appointed as our
Bishop.
Such procedure on the part of the Romanian civil authorities did
not meet with the approval of the faithful and of the Episcopate's
leadership. The negative reaction was only Mtura/ in an Orthodox
community which has as its foundation the canonical principle of
the election of a Bishop, and which community dwells in the middle
of the American democratic way of life where it cannot be con
ceived that a leadership position can be reached by other metlns than
the election of the leader by those who are to be led.
The fact that the Episcopate cannot accept as Bishop anyone
tlult was not elected was lTIIlde known to the Holy Synod througll
letter No. 39 of April 30, 1947, signed by the Episcopate Council
President and the Secretary of the Episcopate. That letter was in
conformity with the decision taken by the diocesan delegates, con-
vened in the extraordinary Congress on March 28, J 947, in Detroit,
Michigan. That Congress was called and presided by The Archpriest
Simion Mihaltian and had as Secretary the Archpriest Andrei Mol
dovan. "-
The same Church Congress, as well as the ones tha/l.ollowed in
1948, 1949 and 1950, without exception and unanimouslY affirmed
thllt our Episcopate is and will remain autonomous having the right
to administrate its affairs through its legally constituted organs, in
conformity with the Church Canons and the Statutes of the Episco-
pate.
At those Congresses the parish delegates, representing all the
Orthodox faithful of Romanilln origin, hIld reptiltedly affirmed that
they consider Hi s Grace Policarp Morusca as titular head of our
Episcopate, and had asked the Holy Patrillrchate to intercede and to
a$Sist in the return of His Grace to his flock.
They had further established tlult in case of vacancy in the Epis-
copal See, the new Bishop is to be elected by the Church Congress of
the Episcopate in compliance with the canonical principles and the
Statutes of the Episcopate, from among the persons who fUlfill at
least the minimum of requirements provided in the Holy Church
Canons for the candidates to the Episcopal Office.
132
We repeat that all those decisions were taken with the plUtici
patlon of the delegates 0/ all the parishes belongifll to the Episco-
pate and with ul1llnimity 0/ vote$.
Sel'O'Ql weeks after the Oturch Congreu held on July 3.1950 in
Philadelphia. when with u,Nlnimity, including the role 0/ Father
Andrei Moldovan, the request {or the return 0/ Hil Grace Policarp
Ittll repeated, the Episcopate Office received {rom the President o{
the Holy Synod a cablegram announcing that "The Holy Synod
approved the autonomy o{ the Romanian Episcopate 0/ North and
South America and has approved the election 0/ the Archpriest
Andre( Moldovan for the vacant seat of BiJhop" and (l$/dng that the
newly elected present himsel/ to Buchan$! for ordination.
Father Archpriest loan Stanila, in thif capacity as Secretary of
the Episcopate, through a letter dated August 18, 1950, received by
fhe Holy PatTiarch4fe. dutifully brought fa the attention of the
President of the Holy Synod that "The Church Congress did net
declare tU vacant the Episcopal See and did not elect Father Andrei
Moldovan as bishop for the Romanian Orthodox MiJJfcnory Episco-
pate o{ America."
At the SlIme time the letter called to the attention o{ the Holy
Synod that regarding Moldovan '.1' COst it WIJ.1' intentionally mi.1'in
formed in order 10 be mislead.
In spite of all those clarifications, the Holy Patriarch4te had
called the Archpriest Andrei Moldovan to Bucharest and on Novem
ber 12, 1950 had inveJled him tU "Bishop of the RomanitJm in
America" of which oct the legally constituted leadership of the
Episcopate was informed through telegrams No. 777 of N o ~ m b e r
11. 1950 and by letter no. 781/ 95011llli1ed by the clumcery o{ the
Holy Synod and at the same time directed to accept Andrei Mol-
dovan as Bishop and to su"ender to him all real and personal assets
of the Episcopate.
The Episcopate Council called in eJCtroordifllJry session on
November 16, 1950. with the absolute nurjority present, had
unanimously decided not to accept the Archpriest Andrei Moldovan
as Bishop nor to surrender to him any of the archives or QlSeI$ o{ the
Episcopate. 'lhIlt decision was taken with COfIlideration 0/ the
following:
1) In con/ormity with the Statute and deci.1'ions of our Church
Congresses consisting o{ delegates who are free citizens and aware
of their rights. the Romanian Orthodox EpiJCOpate of America is
autonomous and. therefore, hal the exclusive right to regulate. to
manage and to conduct it.1' re/igioul and administrative matlers
without any outside interference.
2) Hi.1' Grace Policarp MOTUsca ;.1' cofUidered the titular head of
Our Episcopate. Neither His Grace nOr the Holy Syned informed
our Diocele of the eventual retirement or dismissal of His Grace.
133
MoreJO. we have not been notified o{ the reasons leoding to such
a decision. The Episcopal See was not and is not considered
ptIctlnt.
J) Archprielt Andrei Moldovan was not elected os bisiJop by any
Congreu or by any assembly 0/ the parishu belonging to the
Episcopate; therefore, he cannot be appointed {or the Diocese
that did not elect him.
4) Archpriest AndreJ Moldovan, himself, solemnly declared and
signed under oath, in July 1950, thtIt "/ will not recognize as
hierarch any other person other thtIn the one elected by the
Church Congress 0/ our parishes through their legally elected and
constilUted delegates. "
S) Archpriest Andrei Moldo'llt1n commilled Ihe sin of lying and
of fraud when he told his parishionen, in the church proper, llull
he needs a sick leave so that he may go to the health resort in Hot
Springs, when in fact he $Un'eptitiously went to ROrm1nia to be
ordained os a Bishop lor a Diocese existing only on paper, and {or
the Romonian Orthodox o{ America, who did not elect or want
him as its Bishop.
6) Archpriest Andrei Moldovan deceived the Holy Synod when
he ptlilioned to be elevated to the rank 0/ Bishop because "tilt!
prillSts and Romani/m Orthodox faithful in America" h4d elected
him. 17111 truth is that hll was nOI elected. To dllcllivil you hll h4s
used this stratagem: on June 12, 1950 nine (9) persons (Glicherie
Morom, John Spariosu, Petru Moga, Nicholas Martin, Arcadie
SesermJllf, Paul SJobodilm, George BodiJI, Stll/an Farro and John
Oprean) regutered with the Office of Ihe &crelary 01 Statll of
Michigan a new anociJItion titled: "17111 RomaniJIn Orthodox
Episcopatll of North and South America." Six (6) 01 the regis
trants had met on May 17, 19S0 in the 1I0me 01 Glicherie Moraru
and had decided 10 mJlke Andrei Moldovan a Bishop. These per-
sons were neither parish delegates nor members of our Episco-
pate. They could not consider IhemsellJes a Diocesan assembly.
From the Patriarc.'ral Grammilla or inIJutiture 01 Andrei Mol-
dovan, the RotrU1nians in America learned. with surprise, t/wl a
gathering 0/ six pencns. in a private home, was collsidered by thll
Holy Synod as a "Church Col/gress." which. In the IUlme 0/ the
Romanians in America "elected Andrei MoidOWIn BWtop . ..
In IJlew of the aboIJe, the Episcopate Coullcil could IIOt accept
him as Bishop. Moreso, since we, here, priests and lay people, are
lamiliar with his priestly "actMty" about which lie bragged in
Rotnllnia. but {or wliich we found no reason to be proud of nor
meril$ that could justify hiJ aJpirDtlons to the rank of bishop. In
saying thiJ we have in mind tile canonical requirements for lile can-
didatllS to thll Bishopric in a Oiurch in which the noble qualities 0/
spiritual, cultural and moral assets are essential, and above any other
colISideralionsor interests, particularly lhose 01 a political fIIl/ure.
134
The decision of the Episcopate Council htu been fully approved
by the Romanion Orthodox parishes members of our Episcopate. All
of them have confirmed without dehzy the position of the Council,
signed declllrations of solidarity a/firming that they wtll never
recognize Ihe authority 0/ an elevated 10 the rank of
Bishop through lies, fraud, disregard of the By-Laws 0/ our Episco-
pate and through flagrant violation of the Holy Orthodox Canons.
Availoble in the archives of the Federal Court proceedings in
Oevelond are the origitUll declol'(ltions 0/ soJidJ1rity 0/ the fol/owing
parishes:
The "Descent of the Holy Ghost " parish, Gary, Indiana- Ft.
Eugene Lazar.
The "St. Nichollls'. parish, RegiTUl, Sask. Canoda- Fr. Petru
Toto;
The "Descent of the Holy Ghost " parish, Phi/adelphia, Po. -Fr.
loan Popovici
The "St. Dumitru" parish, New York, N. Y.-Fr. Vasile Hate-
gun
The "Sts. Peter and Paul" parish, Flinto/t, $ask. Canada- Fr.
loan Pescari
The "St. Dimitrie" parish, Bridgeport, Conn.-Fr. Hr/sta
Vasileseu
The "Resurrection" parish, Buenos Aires, Argentina- Fr.
Stefan PalaghiJa
The "St. George" pan'sh, Canton, Ohio- Fr. Traion Demum
The "Falling Asleep 0/ the Virgin Mary" parish, Chicago, illi-
nois- Fr. Victor Barbulescu
The "SI. Mary" poriy" Ohio-Fr. Archpriest John
Trutta
The "St. George" parish, Detroit, Michigan
The "Descent of the Holy Ghost" parish, Detroit, Michigan-
Fr. Alexander (\leu
The -" St. George" parish, Dysort, $ask. Canada- Fr. Archiman-
drite Daniel Maxim
The "St. Elw" parish, EllWood my, Penna.,- Fr. Hie Ghenie
The "St. John the Baptist" parish, Erie, Penna.-Fr. PaulOu-
ciun, Sr.
The "Holy 0-0 S5" parish, Farrell, PenfllJ.-Ft. Nicollle Mol-
dovan
The "Birth of the Virgin Mary" parish, Hairy Hill, Alberta,
Canada- Ft. V. Tomo
The "St. Simion" parish. Detroit, Michigan- Ft. Archimandrite
Teofillonescu
The "St. George the New" parish,lndiluuz Harbor, IndiofllJ- Fr.
Archpriest Simion Mihaltian
135
The "Str. Constantine and HelenD" parish, Indianapolis,
Indiana- Fr. Paul (Jacmn, Jr.
The "Holy Trinity" parish. Los Angeles, Califomkl - Fr. ,
Grigorie Coste ~
The "St. John"parlsh. Niles, Ohio-Fr. Traion Vinti/o
The "St. Thomas" parish, St. Louis, Missouri-Fr. CoriokJn
[we"
The "St. MIlry" parish, St. Paul, Minnesota- Fr. flie Moul
The St. Michael" pand!. Southbridge. Mau.-Fr. 10IlIr D.
Petrovici
The "St. Andrew" parish, Terre Haute, Indiana- Fr. Vasile
a.1w.
The "St. Mary" parish, Timmins. Ontario. Cantlda- Fr. Archi-
mandrite 1'eofil Maxim
The "Resurrection" parish, Wmren. Ohio-Fr. Marln Postelnie 1
'I1u! "Sf. John the Baptist" parish. Woonsocket, R.L- Fr.loon 1
Popescu '1
The ''Holy Trinity" parish, Youngstown. Ohio-Fr. Archprlst 'j
loan Stani14
The affiliated parishes 0/ Martins Ferry, Ohio: Newark, Ohio; ~
Salem. Ohio; Fort Wayne, Indiana; South SI. Paul, Minnesota; .:
then Windsor. Ontario. Ctvwda; Htmisburg. Po.: /Spa3, Alberta, '
Canada; Pierceland, Sask. Omada; etc. \
Given llult the Episcopate Council as well as the Romanian
Orthodox parishes of the R017UUlw.n Orthodox MlssiontUY Episco-
pate in AmertctJ refused to accept him as a Bishop. Andrei Mol-
dovan, returning from Romanw.. sought and is still seeking to assure I
himfJl!lf a Diocese through the Civil Courts. Our Episcopate /$ being ,1
sued. the name of our official newspaper "SOLIA .. WIl.f plagiarized j'
and arbitrarily published, while attempts have been made by Andrei '
MoldoJlQn and some of his friends to occupy and hold Vatra ,
Romaneasca at gun point. Thus, our loyalty is being put in doubt 'I'
with the cMl authorities and with other ethnic groups. It is there- .
fore, understandob:e why there is a general altitude of indignation :
against the methods used by the so-called Bishop Andrei Moldovan, ~
who is supported by only one parish, namely: "The Holy Trinity" of "
Detroit, Michigan, led by the priest GUcherie Moram who does not -
belong to OUT Episcopate. .'
Our greatest sadne.t'.t' is that everything is done "in the name of
the Holy Synod." From circullus, ca/endius, mogazines and various '
,
publicati()ns coming from Romol1ia. it appears clear that the leader- .
ship of the Holy ;Patriarchate supports and encourages the in"e.t'{JOn-
sible acti()n of a few individU4ls who do not even bewng to OUT 1
legally constituted Epl.fcopate.
While on the other side we .fee, with .9OITOW, thot the Holy Pam-
Mchote did not take into ccnsideration the decisions of our Church
,
Congre.t'.t', or of the legally constituted leadership of the Episcopate.
136
We are chlJrged with the dulY to Ctlll to the attention of Your
Eminence that such procedure, if not stopped now, will have con-
sequences for which the present leadership of the Holy Romanian
Orthodox OIurch will be held responsible.
Based on the basic principles of AmeriCtln life "that freedom and
government of the people, by the people, for the people shilJI not
perish from the earth" and respecting the Ctlnons of the Holy Ortho-
dox Ouuch, which propide that Bishops be elected and accepted by
the Diocese which they Me Ctllled to serve, and considering also the
laws 01 the Romanian Orthodox Owrch, we are sure that American
justice will uphold our right position and thot the faithful olour
OIurch in AmeriCtl will never accept a BWrop Icm:ed upon them.
17113 pictory will however ,"ike at the prestige and the autlwrilY
01 the Holy Synod of the Mother Orurch and wiJi bring into dis-
cussion even the wst relationship- the canon/Ctll one-of the Diocese
of the Romanifllu in America with the Romanian Orthodox Orurch.
For this TealOn, the leiJdership of the Romanian Orthodox Epi,..
COpilte of America, in behlllf of all ptUishes di1ects its thoughts
toMlf1J'd Your Eminences Klith the petition that the Holy Patrillrchate
and the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Orurch consider
without delDy this om and dIspose:
a) annulment 01 the ordination and investiture of Archpriest
Andrei Moidomn as Bishop for the Romanians in America and
take disciplfrwry action against him and his accomplices;
b) Intercenion to the State authorities of Romania to permIt HI3
Grace Bishop Policarp Morusca to return among us before the
OIurch CongreS$ of our Diocese, called for July of this yeJU in
OIicago,-
c) respect for the rights of our Romanian Orthodox Episcopate
in America, as an autonomous organiz4tfon, to elect it! Bishop
and to conduct without interference all its spiritullf and tulmin-
Istrtltive matters:.
d) recognition and respect for the principle thot the Romanian
Orthodox Episcopate of Amer/co Ctlnnot accept directitles and
cannot obey other mil laws except those of the States on Whose
tmitones our falth/ullive.
Your Eminences,
Archpriest loan Truw,
President of the Episcopate Council
Archpriest loan Stanlla,
Episcopate Secretary.
The Memorandum was sent by Certified Mail-Return
quested. Most of the Hierarchs of the Orthodox Chwch in Romania, In
cluding Metropolitan Mcolae Balan of Transylvania, personally signed the
Receipts. But the Memorandum was never included on the Agenda
of the Holy Synod.
137
A copy of the Memorandum was also sent to Bishop Policarp, He .
acknowledged receipt through a short letter addressed to the Episcopate's,
Office, on June 5, 1951, saying:
I acknowledge receipt of the text of the Memorandum sent to Hu
Holiness the Patriarch and dated May 15th of this yem. I tlutnk You
for the infoTmlllion and I will wait the decWon of the Holy Synod
and of the civil authorities-as I have In fact waited in the past ...
(""''''i lJUhop PoIkup.
About the same time Bishop Policarp, through a letter addressed to
Mrs. Martha Gavrila, the president of the St. George Cathedral Ladies.
Auxiliary of Detroit, conveyed the foUowing message:
At the Congreu in Chicago the situation will be clarified, ifup to
th4t dIlte it is not IllretJdy decided through the a"j/ Courts. I hod to
gille in writing Ilnd to sign everything IlWU requested to do. But
there, the people hiIIIe to pau judgment Ilnd to decide wh4t is good,
proper and u3/e/ul for the Church andfor the fllith{u1.
The Congress in Chlcago opened on July I, 1951, with 62 delegates
representing 24 parishes. Proxies from the absent parishes were not recog;
nized. ,
Without pre-planning, it just happened that the mood of the Congresa
was set by a speech given in behalf of the newly established youth organi,
zation, A.R.O.Y. by Mr. John limbeson. It was the first tlme in a Church '
Congress that the second and third generation expressed powerfully the
feelings of the younger members of the Church. The parish delegates,
mootly advanced in years, were c8lIed to consider in their deliberations the
needs of the future. Among those needs the president of AROY:
enumerated fuU freedom from outside interference and a well orgaoized_
Diocese headed by a Bishop who would understand the imperatives of the
" ....
Ai was expected, Bishop Moldovan's case was first and uppermost on '
the Agenda. No voice was expressed in favor of what the former priest .
Andrei Moldovan had done in order to become the Bishop of the Diocese.'
By unanimous vote: .
a) the Congress gave full approval to the actions taken by the Epis
copate Council in defense of the Episcopate;
b) condemned the entire procedure u!led by Andrei Moldovan and his .
supporten in trying to impose hUn as a Bishop and to take over the _
assets of the Episcopate;
c) solemnly declared that "it cannot and it will never accept Andrei
Moldovan as the titular spiritual head of the Episcopate"; .
d) lastly. the Congress expressed "its dissatisfaction and deep sadness ~
caused by the method used by the present leadership of the Orthodox
Church in Romania in dealing with a problem of such vitallmportanoe :
to the Episcopate, and in which penonal and political interests weIe
138
giYCn pm:edence oYer the pennanent Interests of the Holy Orthodox
Chweh."
The painful experience in the case of Andrei Moldovan prompted a lon,
lLnd lively debate regarding the future relationship of the American
Diocese with the Orthodox Church of Romania. Twelve (12) members of
lhe Conpss prelellted a Resolution requeltina a totailk!paration of the
Diocelll rrom the Patriarchate in Bucharest.
Que$tions wete Iud if this could be done without endangering the
canonical !tatuJ or the Episcopate. The proponents of the ResolutlOD
that the Diocese was brought into a situation in which It has no
, ahemative but to Ict immediately. oilierwbe, there will no lon.r be I
Rom,uia
n
Orthodox Diooclll in America.
In concludinJ the debate the Congress unanimously adopted the follow-
ing solemn: .
RESOLUTION
J. W1u!reas, Romanlim Orthodox ptUishn and The Romanl4n
Orthodox Episcopdle of America Iune IlU /Hen organized, supponed, and
ltUIintllined by the faithful mDnben of 1M Romanilm Orthodox Faith,
d tizens or resident! of the United Slates and of the Dominion of Catllld4.
2. Wlltrta.r. In order to tWUre the CtlnDniCtlI continuity GIld the
tolic SlIccenlon of 1114 Holy &lIlem Orthodox Orurch, the Rolf1lll'lUur
Orthodox EplltX'pate of AmerkG, at the time of Its organlZ4tion, lutd
asked to become a component part of the Orthodox OIurch of RomanltJ,
and, at the same time, hIM1 rew red for herself the right to administer and
to conduct her own flUflin flutonomously, through properly constituted
OIurch Cbngreues, composed of the de/qatel of th4 Ptui$ha and also
MIlth the right /0 flbmiMte and elect its own bishop.
3. Whereas, foUowing the Instllilatton In Roman14 of Il C:1mmun/sl,
dictfltOrlal, antl..chrlstiim and antl-democratk government, the Orthodox
OIurch of RomQlfill:
4. is fib lofller free to preach the Word of God flbr to propogtJte the
Ina tehlngs of tM Holy Eastern Orthodox OIurch and her fflith
b. with comp/ete dilftgtUd for the organiziltional Sllltutes of our
Epi3copt:lte, continuer to meddle in problems, 1114 solution of which II
the exdusi..e right of the memben of our Epi3copt:lre
c. through her present iudu$hip, completely ensJal'ed by thy
politiCtlI rulen, proptlgQteJ among our "llthfu] peopin here, idbU which
are contrary to the free life conceptions and ideals held and respected
by th4 American citizens-
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT;
1. Romtlnlim Orthodox Episcopdte of AmeriCtl u hereby decland
to /H completely autonomous, not only in III ildmlnlstNtive, but abo in
the canonical (spiritual) affain and thus free from all rules, regulations,
139
ordm, elc., emanating from 1M Patriarch or from the Holy
Synod of Romani4.
2. The off/CIDI (legdJJ n.vne of OUT EpUcoptlte be changed {rom the
pn#ntly used name 0/ ''77re Romanilln Orthodox Miflionary Episcopate .
in AmerlCQ" to the name "The ROmllllUJn Orthodox Epi$COpate of Amm :
01" (Diocese) and to reconJ all property, mobile and Immobile belonging 'i
to the Episcopate in lhe new Mme. I
3. We reject aU claims mllde by the {omttl' print of Aleron, Ohio,
Andni MoldoVtln, and all cl4tnu mllde by any other penon, with the 1
exception 0/ cloim:s made by persons decled by us to lOme office of 1
official polidon, to any poJirlon of authority or leiuJenJrlp in OUT Bpi$- i
oopatt or to any right to tldmbtister, control or in fillY WIlY meddle In any 1
alIke offain orprobiemJofour Episcopate. .1
4. For the pre$UWltion of the canonical unity of (M Holy EtU/ern
Orthodox OIU1'Ch, the Ro11Ull1f4n Orthodcx Episcopate of America shall .
make new and Jtnngthen old connections and tin with all the other
Orthodox Ouuchu of A.m6ica, which an fr and which conform to the
crmom o[ the Holy Eastem Orthodox 0wrdI.
5. The titular bishop of thu Romanian Orthodox EpiJCOpate of Amerl- .
OJ JhQIl be nomlnllted and elected by the legally constituted Church Con- j
greu of Ihe Episcopate and wiD take with full authority the Ietldtr- '
ship and hebn of thil EpiJCOpate, afttr lulVing been COMecrtlted, ill con-
formity with the CQIJon laM of the Orthodox OIurch, by at feast two (Z), .
but preferably by three (3) canonical Bishops of the Orthodox QlUl'ch, \
and without any regard to IIny IIction of IIny kind, wNmoever, taken by
the PDlriarch or the Holy Synod of the Orlhodox Quuch in Romani4.
Thil resolution WIlf adopted by the member! of the Oturch Corwesr
wilh a deep genie of wneJS in our hurts, as we have come to the TeQfi- .
ration thai the moment IUld arriped at which certain tie! with the "Old
Country" nuut be broken. Well we know that the Romanian people are
JU/ferlng under the weight of the het1\f)l chains of J/tnIery forced upon .
them by II foreq/l , inhtmul1I power. We abo brow that mmry of the hier-
Ql'CIu of the Orthodox Church 0/ Romanill, lVilness, with constUtltltton
and with deep concern /01' the future 0/ the Church lind for the spirltlJlll
wei/are 0/ their jlocb, the impertinent interference 0/ the God.Jeu
IOlIU11menll In the domain 0/ religion and spirlhuJl life, which are the '
speci/lc if not the eXM'Sil't concern 0/ the Orurch and 0/ her C1uistkm :
-.
For this TeQlOn we shall conIinuowly remember them in our pl'tl)'ers .
and at OUl' religious ael'llis we will ceaaeJeuJy pray to God ''/or the
bishops 0/ the Romanian Orthodox Qumh" and for their salvalion lind
liberation. .
But we Ctl1Inot and do not wanl to maintain relations in the future with
Orurch authorities whlt:h, under the preuure of political force, are no ,
longer able to respect the righl o/man to be free, II God-gil'tn right which ',
for us, citizens 0/ the New World and of our adopted countriel, iI guar-
140
onteed by the cofWitutiom of the countrks In which we live,lUId we feel
that it is oUT:socnd duty to defend and PTf!JUVe this right and if Mce.r:sory
10 fight in order to make people respect it and to help people enjoy it,
even in countries where it is yet unknown and more so in countries In
which it iJ be/III ruthlessly trompied . ..
As further proof that this Resolution exprmer the vote and consent of
the delegates, it WIZI signed by the following: Rev. John Trul%o, President;
Rev. John Stoniw, Secretary; George R. Gallriw, Vasile fucai, flallie
Meli4n, Nicolae SlIoghi, Rev. E/ie G. Ghenie, George Albean, George
YOishan, Sam TorlIut, Theodore Drotu, George 1Yrleo, Rev. Nestorllut
Cicala, Nicolae Muntean, Rev. Nicolae Moldovan, Dr. WalleT Musto,
Simion Sueur, Rev. flicior &riJuie.rcu, Don Rogozeo, Rev. Paul Oaciun,
Sr., Fndmck faHev/cl, Nick Duda, Re}!. Coriown /.racu, Filip Toconita,
Rudi Non, Rev. Alexondru GUcu, lAzar Lina, Archimandrite Daniel
Maxim, AlextJndru Suiigo, Teodor fulca, amstontln Crucian, James
Szillrghi, Rev. Stefan At. Opreanu, Re}!. Marin Pouelnlc, Rev. John Popo-
viei, Joseph J. Oaciun, George Bate/on, Bucur Binlg, Rev. Eugene Lazar,
Motel Mgnn, Jiarion Mororiu, Dr. Nico1ae C. George Draghiclu,
Vasile Bobanga, Nicolae Dragos, Rev. Vasile Halegan, Rev. Joan Surducan,
Virgil Suciu, Walter Popescu, Rev. flie Motu, ArChimandrite Teo{l1
lone.rcu, Joan JndreiCtl, George JvalCU, Dr. Nlcolae Sueur, Tomo F/eaka,
Petru MunIClUt, loan Sa/Hlu, George Bogdan, Nick Buto, Michael Tifrea,
loan C. Serban.
The next important matter on the Agenda of this Congress was the
rtvision and the adoption of the By-Laws- The amendments adopted are
significant insofar as, in addition to strenghtening the autonomous status
of the Diocese, the new By-Laws provide riahts for women in the parish
membership and clearly deflOed the powers, authority and the responsi-
bilities of the Bishop. Further the By-Laws recognized the demands of the
younger generation by including the National President of AROY as an
member of the Episcopate Council.
Once the Congress defined the relations or the American Diocese with
the Romanian Patriarchate and adopted the revised By-Laws, the road was
opened for the major debate for which this Congress was caUed into
session-the election of a Bishop.
The Episcopate Council eune forward with the recommendation that a
Vicar-Bishop be elected and that the election be made between the two
candidates: Archimandrite Stefan Lucaciu and Mr. Viorel D. Trifa, veri-
fied as qualified and acceptable by the Council.
Although the general consensus of the Congress was that a solution to
I
, the leadership problem of the Diocese be found, some voices were raised
regarding the advisability of electing a Bishop as long as Bishop Policarp
was stillllvlog. ThiI however, did not provoke a major debate. The ques-
tion that was 10 be decidt:d was another one: if the candidacy should be
limited to the two (2) candidates recommended by the Council or to have
It opened to nominations from the floor.
141
A motion was made to rescind the previous decision of the Congress in
Philadelphia by virtue of which clergy serving under the jurisdiction of the ,
Diocese in America shall not be accepted as candidate$. After a lively and
spirited debate on the subject, the motion to rescind the Philadelphia
decision was defeated with 53 votes against and 8 VOles for.
The electoral session of the Congress was called for the evening of July
2nd. The ruess period was characteristic of a pre..e1ectoral assembly. Small
caucusses were held and judgment was passed on the candidates. A quite
vocal campaign against the candidacy of Mr. Viortl D. Trifa whose age was
held against him. appeared to incline the balance toward the election of
Archimandrite Stefan Lucaciu. The finaJ result of the vote was however:
Archimandrite Lucaciu 26 votes and Trira 34; one abstention. The
motion to declare Mr. Twa elected unanimously was enthusiastically
adopted by the Congress.
Cailed before the Congress to record his acceptance, the I
Viore! D. Trifa told the delegates: l
I accept the holy mission to which you have elected me with deep j'
emotion. I say emotion and not joy- not because wmebody's elec
tion QS Bishop should not be a joyful QCCIlslon- but because I am ;,
,
perfectly aware of the difficult burden you are placing upon my ,I
shoulders. It Is a task I did not ask for nor do I desire. Those here
prnent could be my witnesses that I did not requut anyone to I
nominate me or to vote for me. When prominent persona/itres from
the Romanian-American communities like Mr. Rudi Nlm, Fr. John J
Ttutza, Fr. John Stanlla and others asked me at the beginning of the
year to consider a candidacy to the bishopric, I answered that maybe
God will Indicate to them another individual more suitable for such
an office and I tried to impresson them that the Rotnllllian Orthodox
Episcopate of America will only partlafly wive in problems through
the election of a Bishop.
Nevertheless, God willed that such a task fall upon me and
destiny prevailed that once more in my life I shall renoun myself
and my personal interests for a cause. The will of God be therefore
done.
You know and I have been infonned that from the moment that
my name was mentioned asan eventual candidate to the Bishopric a
campaign of hatred, lies and falsehoods has been initiated against
me. Many pamphlen and many leiters have been circulated with
denuru:iations that have reached up to the FedertJJ authorities.
Voicu have been hem:l even in this hall. I am 8Ilt4/ied that the
source of those sklnderous attacks Is to be found with those that are
neither Americans nor of the Orthodox faith and whose purpose is
10 preJ1ent the consol1dation of the Romanian Orthodox EpfscQpate
of America. Not one word would have been said 4gainst me if fate
wouM not ""lie brought me to SOUA or CIllled me to the mission
that you are entrusting me today.
142
For the slDnderers I have no explonation to gille, but you, the
Reverend ckrgy of the Episcopate and you the parlm delegates, may
be llnured that if I would have on my conscience the $I1UI/ie$l blot. I
would have never accepted to become yOUT spiritullileader.
It is $IIid tlult in the past I war active in politia and that I om
punuing the MIlle coune. Reference iJ mJIIie to my ptUt activity in
the notionaliJtle movement of the Romanian youth. I know that for
twenty yf!llTs leftist element: fTom OUT ethnic group in America hove
been at the leadenhip of the fTlltemol soc/etia
and hove controlled mtIIIy Romanitln publicllliotu. [)oy by dlJy tMIt
elements hllve hmnmered the mind of the AmeriCtU1S with the idea
that the youth of RomoniIJ is ',/lJSCist and criminol. " I am mention-
ing this here not with the PWPOle to iJlject into this Omgrm
Romonilln politics or to defend political deeds from there, but
beCOUle I 1uzve to tell you IMt you dwukJ not be ilwmed of the
younger generation of Romania. The Romanian students were
neither FlJSCists, noT Nazis, nOT criminllu. They were lUltlonalists
who fought tIS they could for their inherited Faith ilnd fOT the
betterment of their country.
Penonolly. I lived those tima in ROmtlllilz, and I was even en
trusted with the JetJdership of thoWlUlds of university students orga-
nized in the Notional Union of the Romonian Christtan Students. In
all my activities I have not done anything of which to be ashamed
today. I did not Ult violence against anyone, lluzve not peneculed
anyone becaule of his Teligion, I Juzve not killed anyone. I have not
assisted in any crimiMl IIct and I Mve not Cilused ""Yone to commit
!lUch acts. '17ult I WJIS natiolUZlistic and anti.QJmmunistlc is flUe. I am
telling you this beCilult there is still time faT you to withdTflW yOUT
trust in me, if you consider what I did in Romonilz during my youth
tIS a crime.
A program of future activity I cannot pi'eltnt to you today 0$ I
did not know tMtl will be elected. We will meet in the future and
discuss that subject. During the past year I had close contact with
the struggles befaUen OUT Romanian Orthodox Church in AmerlCil.
Many of the problems in need of a solution are known to me. I am
aware of all this and I nolize that by entrwting to me the leadership
of the Episcopate you have SlICTificed a young Ii/e. But this is not
enough. If you wiJ/ not put shouldeT to shoulder to help me, I will
not be able to do the nuuty things that need to be done.
If everyone of you returns home without furtheT caring about the
problems of the Episcopate. my cross will be too heavy. Only by
working together we could succeed and achieve deeds pleasing unto
God. Counting on this, ;t would be easier faT me to renounce my
penonal hopes and a family li/e so tluzt beginning todJly I am IeTVe
excbuively OUT Holy Orthodox Church.
More than ten (10) Yf!llTS have ptUled since I have kist seen my
143
home and my paTenn and even totiDy my mother calUlot rejoice in
the knowledge that her ron nuzy become a b&hop, because I Waf not
able to rees14blish any con/act with them.
I pray God thaI the Owrch ltunily you fJI'e giving me todtly lor
life, will be also compen:Jlltion lor the /fJlTlily I loa' in Romania.
(Excerpl$ from the tu:eepllJllt:e speech given by Mr. Viorel D.
Tri/a at the (Jlicago Congress).
The strife lor !:be ordination 01 the Biabopoelect
The process of electing a Bishop, difficult u it WIS, solved only one-half
of the problem to provide a spiritual leader for the Diocese. The Bishop-
elect, Mr. Viorel D. rufa, was a graduate with distinction from the School -
of Theology of the University of Jassy, Romania. He had a record of active :
missionary work in Romania, but he was not ordained IS a priest. After
graduating from the theological school, he did post graduate work In;
Philosophy and literature and planned for a career in journalism and lay
missionary work in the frame of a religious revival association in Romania
"The Army of the Lord" founded by his uncle, the Rev. Fr. losif Trifa of )
$hlu. ,
Steps had to be taken ror his ordination. There were no other '
Romanian Bishops in America, and, considering the circumstances, no one .
expected that some Bishops from Romania would come to ordain him. "
The first petition for the ordination or the Bbhop.elect went to the :
Greek Archdiocese of North and South America. This was motivated by .
the fact that in 1939, when Bishop Policarp left for Romania, he uked '
Archbishop Athenagoras, at that time head of the Greek Orthodox '
Churches in America, to give spiritual assistance to the Romanian Diocese
in the absence of the Bishop. Archbishop Athenagoras complied and even
ordained one priest, Fr. Vasile Hategan of New York, and blessed the new
Romanian Orthodox Chapel which later became the church of the '
Romanian community in New York. -
At this time Archbishop Athenagoras was Ecumenical Patriarch of:'
Constantinople. The head of the Greek Archdiocese in America was Arch- :
bishop Michael. A formal request wu addressed to him and he indicated
that, personally, he agrees that "lhis would be the best solution."
Direct contacts were established with the Ecumenical Patriuch Athen- .
agoras in Constantinople, who hinted however that "
The policy o/maintaining good relationship with other Orthodox
Autocepluzlom Olluc/tes might be II hindrance in the way 01 accee-
ding to the requut 0/ the ROmlllfian Diocese in America.
In fact, on July 23, 1951, Archbishop Michael wrote to Father John
Trutza, the president or the Episcopate Council the following letter:
144
,
.
-
.
-
,
Dear Rev. Filther:
In 4111wer to your leller of July 12th received at haw
to reUyou that on 111)' turlvtIlin New York I wired to Hb AIIHolinnJ
the &umenlctll PtlIrltuch tlSking permission for the con.secration of
Mr. V/orel Trifa.
The PtltrUuch'l amwet' 1'tCeived thil momillg WIll in the negative.
Regretting therefoft for not being tIbIe to lUIut you tI1fd praying
utmlt/y to the Almighty God for your guidmu:e to the benefit of
the RomIlnilzn Orthodox Orurch in America, I am
Youn Ilncuely in OUT Lord
(.figned) A.rtbbisbop M.1ch.=!
Greek Archdloce.fe of North
and South AmeriCil.
After the negative answer by the Greek Archdiocese the Episcopate
Council decided to direct its efforts for the ordination of the candidate
through other channels.
First in the picture came the Romanian Metropolitan Vlsadon PuN,
who lived in France and was peE:SQnaUy acquainted with Mr. Viorel Trifa,
the Bishop-elect. Metropolitan Visarion, infonned about this, replied
through two (2) letters. On August 16, 1951 he WIote:
Dear Tri/a,
Sometime tIgO you helped me and now, considering the lilWltion
in which you find younelf, / intended to mist you.-tllthouih the
vineyard is no longer produ.ctiJie-but I see IhIlt Ihe obll4cle.f I'tli.fl!d
in fronl of you tue 1I(.fO directed agaimt me. Sevend dilYI ago, /
receiwd three (3}Jetten: one with thequmion i/it is true IhDt I am
coming to the Uniled Sl4ta to participtlte in your ordlflQtlon, con
cluding, til the other two (2), thlll it would be II "crime" to do.fUch
a thing.
I am also told tlult for the !lime retI$OfI / will be Iuurzned by II
Jewish Committee which. ellen withou.t thil. hIu put up relutllnce to
my ent'l'tUl into the United Statel .fOmet/me tIgO. and which
ducrlbes you til a "crlminlll without the right to the prielthood. II
The letter was concluded with the remark that he will still think oYer
the situation.
On October IS, 1951, Metropolitan Visarion gave his defutite reply by
writing:
Informed of 10 numy ob,tllCw raUed DgtIinJt you by politici4ns
and of Ihe fury of the opposite group which hal no Intention for
petzee and conlidtrlng llult my lnreiJient/on mq provoke
diullt4{lIction with both IIdJienariel. in$ttlld of helping a peaceful
IOlution-/ I mJl.felf forced to nep alide, permitting other facton
145
to intervene with their authority to bring the needed peace In the
Diocese. "
.1
I
For the eventuality that Metropolitan Visarion would have responded l
affumative1y, preliminary contacts had been established with Metropolitan i
Anastase from the Synod of the Russian Chureh Outside Russia, a per-
sonal friend of Metropolitan Visarion, to concelebrate at the ordination.
Informed about the decision taken by Metropolitan Visarion and asked if
the Synod Outside Russia would consider the ordination, Metropolitan
Anastase replied that he considers the Romanian Churches outside
Romania under the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Visarion and conse-
quent1y would not interfere without specific request from Metropolitan .
Visarion.
The next choice of the Episcopate Council was the Syrian.Antlohian <
Diocese headed by Metropolitan Anthony Bashir who was familiar with
the happeninp in the Romanian Diocese, due to his special interest in the
welfare of the Orthodox Churches in America. Metropolitan Anthony did .
not reply officially to the letter addressed to him by the Episcopate Coun
ciI, He suggested however, otT the record, that the Romanian Oioce!le
,
should contact Metropolitan l.eonty from the Russian Metropoiia in the .
tJni.ted States. The same suggestion was made to the Episcopate Council
by a good friend of. the Romanian Oioce.stl. the late Episcopal Bishop .
Lauriston Scaife of Buffalo, New York. Consulted about this. even the '
Greek Archbishop MJchael considered it a good idea adding that "Metro-
. ,
politan Leonty has an irregular position of independence but still is In ,
commuruon with the Ecumenical Patriarchate and with the Greek Ortho-
dox Church in America,"
An exploratory letter had already been sent to Metropolitan Leonty on '
July 26. 1951. Now, closer contacts were established with him and the '"
matter of ordaining the candidate was brought on the Agenda of the'
meeting of the Council of Bishops held in New York City on October '
1823, 1951,
In the session of October 19th, the following was decided:
The Council of Bishops of the North AmeriaJn Merropollttmllte
discussing Ihe petition of the RontlUllan Church in the United States
IuJd decided the following: .
In lItew of the facr thar the Greek and Syrian Orurche$ in the
United States have declined the care for the Romanian Diocese,
which wus rucertained at a special meeting conference held with
them on October 10, and lhilt Ihe R011Ul1l1im parishes were formerly
a part of the Ruman Metropolitanote; mlizing the urgency or 0rga-
nize these parishes, which find it impossible owing to the present
political circumnances of being in administratillf! $Ubordinotion to
the R011Ul1lian Patriorclwte, it i$ desirable to offer to tholt! parishes

,
,
to become ptlTt of our North AmeriCiln Metropolitllflllle which i$
willing to grant them the right of seif..gollfmment OJ Q special
146
adminutnltive church unit, headed by a Bishop established by oW'
Metropolitmwte, in accotdance with the Romanilm peoples church
cotUCioUIIneu.
Conditions /OT organizinl such a Romanian Diocese in the United
States ore: .
1. Omanical, during the church services, mentioning of the l14me
of the Metropolitan of the territory.
2. Obtaining the Holy Otrism from the MetropolittlJ1llte.
3. The JHlTticipation of the Bishop of the ROmllnilJn Diocese In
the silling$ of the Council of Bishops of the MetropoliltlfUlte.
4. Panlclpillion tlccotding to their metlfU in the. needs qf the
Metropolitmwte.
S. Giving every six months in/ormation on the a"uch life of the
Dioce3e to the Metropolililntlte.
6. Living on the territory of the United States and $piritually
guiding American citizens of RomanilJn desnt t h ~ RomanilJn
Diocese mwt not fUTlher ~ the title 0/ "mill:sionary. " .
7. The Bishop of the ROm4llilJn Diocese will betu the title 0/
Bishop of Lansing and Michigan.
Acting Secrettuy of the Metropoliltln Council.
Very Rev. John Semanitzky.
Following this decision. the President of the Episcopate Council, Pro
John Trutza, presented himself to the Council of Bishops in session to-
gether with the Bl!hop-eJect, Mr. Viorel D. Trifa and declared themselves
in agreement with the stipulated conditions with the exception of the title
of the Bishop and the frequency of Diocesan reporn to the MetropoUa.
In its session of October 23rd, the Council of BWlops (Art. 21)
RESOLVED
In a leiter from the Romaniizn Consistory agreeing with the fun
dilmentai point! of the conditiens presented to the Consistory, the
Sobor Ites the sign of God', providence in the organization 0/ the
Orthodox OIurch in AmeriCG and there/ore the requested chtmges
ore accepted and the SaboT rewlllts to continue the intercoune with
the representatives 0/ the Romaniizn Diocese in the United Sttltes of
America tlnd requires:
(I. An act signed by the offictals affirming the acceptance of the
conditions 0/ the Metropolio with the abovementioned correc-
lions..
b. That the ctmdid4te elected at the Congress, Mr. Viorel D.
Tri/a. present a petit/()n to the Sobor of Bishops requesting tlult
they ordain him to the Holy Orders and tonsure him for mon-
asticism; accompanying the petition an act of hi: election.
C. Present complete Information from the Romanian Consl$lDry
147
in the United SUItS pt7ll1inillg to the m4intM4llCe of the newly-
electt:d bishop.
d. After ncdvUW all the facts according to the llbolle-mentioned
pointJ, they must tuJc HiJ Gra, the MetropOlitlllt, to set the
onIer and time of lhe tonsure for mOllllJt/dsm and to the e/e-
Noon to the Flnl two rrmkI 01 prielthood bttlWrn NOl1mIw 17
and 21, 1951. in the city of INtroit. ~ nomiNItion and con
AXiation to the rank of Bishop, in agreemmt with the petition of
the Romanian Consistory, it to be pnj'ormed in the clwrch of the
Holy Trinity in Youngstown; inllitationl for fhl! conJe(;l'otion to
be #nl to neruby bishops, according 10 the Metropolitan's de-
cWon.
t, Commlulon the Com/story to provide Epl$copaJ vnlmen"
and J/a/f and ow pre$ellt the order 0/ nomiNI/1on and con#-
CTtItion to biJhop in two (2l IIIngu*, (Englbh and Romanilln)
tmd litt the order of Installation accordm, to the customs of the
Romanilln Ouuch.

I
I
!

,
~
l
l
Fonnalitaes beinl completed, on October 31, 1951, the Episcopate I
Council received the fonowing telegram:
In reference to the Romanian Oturch the Council of 8ishops Nu
decided thot the cortsef:'ation 0/ the Rom(llfilm IJUhop will tofu
place in Younptown on NovembeT 22nd.
The /ollowlng BiJhoPI ~ been de#gnDted to o/flCiate:
The MOll ReJI. Metropolitan Leonty
The Right ReJI. BUhop John 0/ Detroit and Qeveklnd.
The third Bishop will be appointed by the Metropolitan at a kiter
date.
After the t:oruulutlon of the Romanian BUhop, The Most ReJI.
Archbishop Michael of tM Greek Church and The Most ReJl. Metro-
politan Anthony 0/ the Syrian CJrurch- wiU be notified.
Acting Secrettuy 0/ the Metropolitan Council
Very ReJI. John Sem.utUy .
.
Following lhc telegram, invitations were sent out and preparations were '
made throughout the Diocese for a large participation of clergy and parish
delegates.
Two weeks later, on November 16th, Father Trutza receiwd another
telegram:
On account of illnw of Metropolitan Leonty I revet to inform
you tlult the ceremony of Miination will hIl've to be postpOned.
Rel't1't:nd Joim Semlllittky. Secntruy Metropolitan Council 0/
the Ruman Orthodox Orurch of NMth America.
Although It wu a known ract that Metropolitan leonI)' was advanced
in age. strong suspicion prevailed that the iJ.Iness might be diplomatic
148
,


one. nus was confirmed on November 30, 1951, by the following tele
gram received by Father Vasile Hategan, the Romanian parish priest in
New York City:
In tuXOrdmtce with decirion of Council of BisIw,n held November
2/$/ and 22nd in &:nton, Metropolitan Uonty wi/lltOt be able to
discuss qlM3tion of consecration of Romanian Bishop until they wUl
receive Ilecessory reportl.
AJexlllder Bez.smtttnY, lecrtttuy.
What had happened .Is that immediately after the election of Mr. Viorel
D. Trifa IS Bishop, a most vicious personal campaipl wu initiated against
him by Bishop Andrfll Moldovan's group. Periodicals like: EPISCOPIA,
TRIBUNA, CREDINTA, seconded by a Romanian-American !ertist news-
paper ROMANUL AMERICAN of Detroit, were distributed In thousands
of copies with headlines and full pages of slanderow attacks against the
Bishopdect . Among others he was accuted of being a "Nazi and Fascist,"
Ihal he wu mmied with the wife liring In Romania, that he is a heretic
who converted to Roman Catholicism and that he was Involved in anti
Jewish atrocities during the time he was the national president of the
University Students of Romania. To add weight to their allegationJ,
Bi&hop Moldovan penonally appealed for assistance to the Romlllian
Jewish Federation in New York. TI1ere they found a certain Dr. Charles
Kramer ready to jOin them in the campaign. Dossien were compUed with all
kinds of statement. and false decluations and presented to the Imml
gratlon and Naturaliz.atlon District of New York.
When news of the scheduled consecration in Youngstown, Ohio, Clrne
out, they called Metropolitan Leonty telling him that the Blshop-eJect .Is
going to be deported in a nutter or weeks and thererore, his consecration
.sbouJd be stopped. As proof they told the Metropolitan to contact
Inspector Solomon from the INS in New York.
True, the reply from Inspector Solomon was that the Immigration
Service is in possetsion of I ''voluminous incriminatory nle." Hence, the
decision of the Metropolitan to postpone the consecration appeared
natural.
Inrormed about this, Mr. Viore1 D. Trifa contacted through his attorney
th( INS office in New York and requested an explanation_ He further
offered to submit voluntarily to an examination under oath. The offer wu
accepted and he was examined for three (3) days (December 46,1951) In
th( offices of the Immigration Department in New York. All accusations
were brought up and answen were given to all questions. 1be accusations
were proven unfounded and the case was closed_
Following the closing of the cue with the brunigration Department, the
Episcopate Council petitioned Metropolitan Leonty for a new date of
consecration. The response came in the form of a letter to Father John
Trutza from the Metropolitan Council, which aald:
149
February 12.1952
Father:
At the Cbuncil 0/ Bishop: con...ened in plenary session it was
decided to tUkevery parish 0/ Ihe Romanian Orthodox Church in
America #eking affiliation with our church. to indjpidually preU!nt
to His Eminence the Most Reverend Metropolitan Leonty a properly
documented official excerpt 0/ the minutes of their respective
parishes mtIIIifesting desire to pkzce themselves under the church
jurisdiction of His Eminence the Moy RelJel'end Metropolitan
Leonty. Every pgrish priest must 01$0 individuldly petition [or
acceptance. You are hereby requested to convey thiJ decision 0/ the
Sobor o{you; Bishops to aU )'Oura/lilwted priesn and parishes.
(Signed) Very John Semanitzky
Member of the Metropolitan Council
(Signed) Rev. Joaepb Pishtey
Secretary 0/ the Metropolitan Ccuncil
,
,
,



-. This )etter was interpreted by the Episcopate Council as a veiled
pressure to force the Romanian parishes to deaJ directly with the Metro-
polia by-passing the Episcopate Council Some parishes were consulted 00',
the subject and the response was "that no one win comply with such Ii '
request." "

Infonnal conversations with the Chancery of the Metropolia appeared
to indicate that the Metropolia would like only to be sure that the parishes
consent to the oldination of the Bishop.elect.
Consequently I a statement by each individual parish was prepared say- ,
.
The Episcopate Council of our Episcopate is urged to execute
without further del4y the decision taken in the Electoral Congress,
held on July 3, 1951, at Chicago, by moktng immediIJte intervention
for the consecration of Mr. Viorel D. Trl/a as bishop of our Epi,..
coate.
"
,
The text did not meet with the approval of the Chancery of the Metro.:.
polia because on March 6, 1952. the fonowing letter was received by,.
Father Truw: '
Reverend Detu Father:
Please instruct your every parilh which is desirous of affiliating
with our MetropoJia 10 complete one of the appended forms and
return some to this office. as early as possible.
Our further action in this matter will depend entinly upon your
complianct with the above request.
(slgnedjRelJ. J08eph Pisbtey
Secretary.
ISO
,
I
The Episcopate Council did not comply and Father Trutza requested to
he heard at the next session of the Council of Bishops. He. and the cand!
!.late. were received for a few minutes of explanation at the April 1.3.
1951. session of the Council of Bishops.
The result was. however, that the Great Sobot of Bishops
consented to receil'f! under their Cllooniall ;uriadjction the Roml1llwn
Orthodox ptlrimes but finds it impossible. at the present time, to
consecrate Mr. Viorel D. Trjfa as Buhop.
It was noted that the Metropolia was addreSSing itself to "the
Romanian parishes" and not to the Episcopate Council. The name of the
Episcopate was not even mentioned in the Great Sobor of Bishops. This
procedure ended, for the time being, the contacts between the Romanian
Diocese and the Russ1an Metropolia.
It should be mentioned here that the search for a solution leading to
the ordination of the Bishop-elect was complicated also by other factors.
In addition to the special circwnstances of the Romanian Diocese, per
sonalities and jurisdictional claims were intertwined here in the United
States in a very complex situation. The leadership of the Romanian
Diocese was striving to get brotherly assistance from canonically estab
lished Orthodox jurisdictions in America without entering into permanent
commitments regarding the future of the Diocese. The break with the
Mother Olwch in Romania decided at the Congress in Chicago was forced
upon the Diocese by the events. It was a real separation but deep inside
the leaders of the Episcopate entertained the hope that political changes
might occur in Romania giving the Romanian Patriarchate the possibility
to act free of political interferences. Hence, the very cautious approach to
the subject of jurisdictional arrangements with the Orthodox Churches in
America.
Such an attitude gave the adversaries an overhand in arguing the non-
interference principle. This was strongly supported also from Bucharest.
The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Olurch was following closely
the events in America with' the assumption that Bishop Andrei Moldovan
has been accepted by the majority of the people and that the ordination of
the candidate elected in Chicago could be prevented. In. the Fall Session of
the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church. held on November
12, 1951, a report was presented on the situation of the Episcopate in
America. After hearing the report by the Commission on External Affairs
of the Patriarchate the Holy Synod decided:
1. The Holy Synod acknowledges, with thank!, the porental care
which Patriarch JustiniDn"iv taking for the spiritual progreS$ and even
for the material one, of the Episcopate of the ROnlllnians from the
two AmeriCII$.
2. The Holy Synod takes note of the warm reception which the
clergy and lay members of America have gill'e1l to His Grace Bislwp
Andrei upon hh arrival from the Mother Country.
lSI
3. 17te Holy Synod. likewise. takeJ note 0/ the efforts nwde by
Bishop Andrei Moldovan and by his dloce$tl1l organsfor the occupa-
tion of the DIoce$tl1l Headquarters at the "Romanian Vatra" and
abo 0/ his missionary activity through which the prestige 0/ the
Episcopate u being consolidlJted. and also the prestige of the JJishop
and that of the Ronumlan Orthodox (}aUl'ch of AmeriCQ.
4. 17te Holy Synod Mlces note of aU the Interventlom l1UIde by
Patri4rch Justinian In connection with the interference of some
foreign hierarchs In the spirilUlli aftan 0/ the epiScopate of the
Romanians in America and authorizes the Patri4rch Justinian to con
tinue to be watchful with the lOme love fOT the well-being of this
Episcopate.
5. The Holy Synod condemns the U/ega/ action at (}aicago of the
"trutzilts . ..
(Minutes of the Holy.synod of November 12. 1951. om No.
22J25/195Jt
The ordination or the new Bishop takes place in PbHedelphiL
While the" discussions with the Russian Metropolia were
dean of the Eastern District of the Diocese. the Very
Popovicl, had established contacts with the Metropolitanate
Ukrainian Orthodox Churches of the United States of America, headed
the Most Reverend Metropolitan John Theodorovich. Sharing with
Ukrainians the plight of his Diocese, Father Popovid found at
Ukrainian Church leaders a tota] understanding of the problem and even ."
willingness to offer a helping hand.
The Episcopate Council sounded officially the possibility, ' and
response was positive. A letter from Metropolitan Theodorovich said
fact:
March 3,1952
My Beloved JJrothers in OIrtst, OUT Redeemer:
It Is a pleasure /0 inform you that YOUT petition fOT OUT help to
your Owrch- the Romanian Orthodox EpiSlXJpate of AmeriCtl-by
consecration of yoUI' CtlndidlJte for JJishop into the bishophood was
duly deliberated upon by OUl' Synod of JJishotn and the consistory
of our OIurch and we aU Cilme to the declnon to grant yOUT
petition.
Herewith I In/onn you that the bishops of our C71urch will con
aecrate YOUT CIlndidlJte.
The Metropolitan even suggested the dates of ordination to be
March 10-16, 1952, in the Romanian Church in Philadelphia.
The Episcopate Council aclcnowledged with gratitude the letter,
through a telegram sought a delay in the time or ordination. There
two (2) reasons for this position: on one side the CoWlcil wu still
1S2
that the response from the Rupian Metropolia would be positiYO; on the
other side the question was raised in the Council regarding the canonical
status of Metropolitan Theodorovich and the Ukrainian Orthodox Oturch.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the United States encompessi"8
OYOr 100,000 members considered itself autonomous, which autonomy
was not fonnally recognized by other Orthodox Churches throughout the
world. Metropolitan Theodorovich himself was consistently under the
accusation that he is a ' 'self-made'' bishop, having started his hierarchical
rank from Vasyl lipkivsky, who became the leader of the Ukrainian
Church in 1921 through laying-on-of-bands by priests since no bishop was
available to comecrate him. Clarification of this Important matter was
mandatory before prl)(:Uding with the ordination.
A study commission was appointed and, after weeks of research and
consultation, the conclusion was reached that while the canonical
autonomy of the Ukrainian Church could be in doubt, the Apostolic
Succession of its hleruchs' could be traced to the regular orders of Metro-
politan Dionysius of Warsaw, the head of the Autocephalous Orthodox
Church in Poland which was in communion with the Ecumenical Patriarch
in Constantinople and also with the Romanian Orthodox Church in
Romania. Metropolitan Theodorovich himself stated that he considers the
lipkivsky episode as a tragic period in the Ukrainian Church history and
that he himself has regularized his hierarchical pcI.tion by consecration as
a Bishop in August 27, 1949 here In the United States.
Slated to concelebrate with Metropolitan John for the consecration of
the Romanian Bishop were Archbishop Mstyuav of New York and Bishop
HeMady of Chicago. Both traced their ordinatiOlU to Bishops ordained
through the Polish Orthodox Church.
Satisfied that, according to the data available at that time, the Aposto-
lic Succession of the Ukrainian hierarchs was In order and after receiving
the negative response from the RussiJn Metropolis., the EpQcopate ColUlcil
accepted wholeheartedly the Ukrainian offer to ordain the Bishop-elect.
This acceptance was also strengthened by the fact that no conditions
whatsoever were impaled by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on the
Episcopate or its parishes in exchange of consecrating the .Btshop-elect.
1he date ror consecration was let for the Bright Week ending on Sun-
day, April 27; 1952.
News of the scheduled ordination reached the Romanian Patriarchate
and resulted In the foHowing telegram received by Metropolitan John
Theodorovlch:
The Holy Synod of Ihe Ronumlan Orthodox Owrch Mel not
consent to the con$fQtion. of Viord Tri/a 4f iJWwp Stop Your
ptII1icipation in the CQn!ecratlcn of Trlfa will be CQnddered tU an
inter/ennce in the tif/airs of our Owrch and you will be punWred
according to the EcummicaJ OIurch Rules with lhe DismIsJtJJ from
your H o l y ~ .
(Signed) Justinian
Patriarch of Romanill.
153
Parallel to this action from Bucharest Bishop Moldovan voiced Strong
opposition through telegrams and telephone calls to Metropolitan Theodo-
rovich. He repeated the usual allegations that: "Trifa is married with the
wife living in Romania, forsaken by him; that he was the commander
the Iron Guards in Romania -and. is only a "stooge" of Father Trutza; etc.
To add some weight to his opposition Moldovan contacted on April ,
1952, Dr. Charles Kramer from New York, who, according to his own
confession, sent a telegram of protest to the inunigration Service to inter-
cede to prevent the ordination of Mr. Trifa.
The consecrating Bishops were also harassed through anonymous
and threatening telephone calls, but they did not back down.
While this was going on, the candidate was spending his time at
QlUlch in Philadelphia, for the Resurrection Services and was
spiritually for his ordination.
The special religious services, including the Divine Uturgles
for the ordination, started on Friday, April 25th in the
in Philadelphia. While the Vesper Service was in
interrupted by Federal Marshalls who, accompanied
lawyers served Metropolitan John; the Father
dent of the Episcopate Council and Father John Popovici, the local
with a Federal Court Order enjoining the above-mentioned "from oono "ole
ing the consecration and ordination festivities of Viorel Trifa as
and/or Vicar Bishop for the Romanian Orthodox
The-Order was signed by Judge AIlIU1 K. Grim of the Stales
District of Pennsylvania upon a petition by Bishop Andrei Moldovan.
The intervention of Bishop Moldovan did not come as a surprise
anyone, but the restraining Court Order was another matter. Hurried
counsel was sought through the Philadelphia parish's lawyer, .
J. Xlioger. The attorney tried to contact Judge Grim but he had left
bench and the city inunediately after signing the Order on Friday
noon at the closing,of the Court business.
Consultation with other lawyers and judges led to the conclusion
the Com Order itself violated the First Amendment or the ern,"''"'"
of the United States guaranteeing the free exercise of religion.
Although deeply concerned about the consequences, the
advised to proceed with the consecration and then wait fOr the reaction
the Court.
This was done on Saturday and Sunday with the three (3)
hierarchs offiCiating, assisted by a large number of Romanian
Ukrainian priests and deacons. Members of the Episcopate Council
hundreds of parishioners from Philadelphia and from out of town w.n
present at the solemn moment when the Viorel D. Trifa
given the new name of Valerian and when he was entrusted with
pastoral staff.
The spiritual joy and the satisfaction that fmally the Episcopate
Bishop, was tempered only by the fact that the consecrating BishoPs
. .
1S4
the newly consecrated 8i$hop were summoned in Court on April 30, 1952
10 anNe, the charge of Contempt of Court. The helrinS before Judge
Grim wu I dmnltic one. Bishop MoldoVln's Ilwyers, joined by the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania as "amicus
curile," pressed for citation for criminal contempt. Attorney for the
defendants, MlJdmillillll J. Klinger, took the stlllld and under oath de
clared thlt hb conscience dktlled him to Idvbe his clientJ that this was I
religious let and thlt no Court hid the power 10 restrm.
AJ I result of !til declaration, the Court ordered the Oerk of the Court
to include Mr. Kllnger IS a defendant. Justifying IUs position Mr. Klinger
added:
I considutd thiJ thoroUlhly. I weighed it. I wdghed the act. I
know what the act mQ}' meon. IIutd to reconcile my obligation to
thiJ Court as an officer. I had to reconcile my obligation tIS a man to
God, not a member of the .wne faith, sir. (N. R. Mr. Klinger was
of Jewbh Relf&ionJ. It iJ that unfortuNltely or fortunately,
khq1iJticoIly spttlking, me to tm the step that I did, tmd
IItIY to Your Honor IItry respt[uUy tlull if I 'Nt7'( to take lhisstep
agoln I am fl[raid that my consclnce would dictate tlult I ,ake It.
It took more than two (2) yean, until Septmtber 28, 1954, for Judge
Grim to ponder over the cae and to dismiss it without the
defendantJ, including Ittorney Klinger, in contempt.
The official enthronement of the newly ordained Bishop took place iii
St. George Clthedral. of Detroit, on Sunday, July 6, 1952, during the
lC1$ion of the annuli. Church Congress.
Thus ended the semh for I Bishop that started in 1947 and it took the
Romanian Orthodox Episcoplte of America through some of the most
dramatic moments in its history.
HiItorical Sequence
I. Followin, Cbe enthronemenl of Bishop Valerian as Vkar.Bbbop and
actina head of the Diooeae, the Romanian Orthodox Epilcoplte went
chroUjh I period of reGlalnizllion. The Selt of the Diocete wu estab-
IiIhed It the Vatra Rom- eml in I,b, Micblpn. The Constitution
ud By-Lawa .. ere amended II ihe Church Conge. held in Canlon, Obio,
In 1953. AdmlnirtradYely and canonically the Diocese in I status
of autonomy up 10 1%0, when contacts were feeltablQhed with the
RI' 'In Melropolia in the United States with the purpoee to the
Qilonical pOlilion of the Diooeae. 1be Grelt Coundl of Bilbops of the
Metropolia, connned in New York on March 31, 1960, unanbnou!lly
re.olved to accept the Rom_ian Orthodox Epilcopate of America under
the canonical .;arildiction at the Metropolia and 10 recognize the
Romanian Dioc:He .. I 'lmial ad.mmistntively -=If .. oveming IfOUP of
155
"r-''''l'II headed by Bishop, elected by the Romanian national Cbuu:h '
'IIngR:SS, in confonnity with its own By-laws. 1be Great Council of '
IIllIItops further exammed the status of Bishop Valerian, dedared itaelf '
o.:onvioced that he alway. acted m good faith, acoepted him into the jun.
diction of the Metropolia and, in order to dUpeI any doubt about his
origi .. aI comecralion, Metropolitan Leonty, assisted by Bishop Dimiby
throuah the lIying-on of their hande, continued his Holy Orders. Come-
quentty. the Holy Synoo invested him with the canonical right, the power
and the authority to shepherd the Romanian Diocele as a member of the .,
Holy Synod. The relations betwHn the Ruman Metropolil and the
,
Romanian Diocese wtle so beneficial to aU concerned that in 1970, when '.
the R"man Orthodox Metropolia was legally and canoniCIIJ.y If8nted
Autocepbaloul .IaCUs and thua became the Orthodox Church in America,
the Romanian Diocese was the first to acknowledge and to accept the '
jurisdiction of the newly established AutocephaJous Church, ;
2. Bishop Andrei Moklm8D, who unsuccessfully had tried to impose ,
himltlf as the Bishop and to control the IIS8tts of the Diocese, after losing
in the courts, incorpOf1lted on September IS, 1953, a parallel Dklee., \
called The amon/cal Romanilln Orthodox MissIoniuy Episcopate in
America. ne name WlIS ch ... to The Romanian Orthodox MissiofUU'J'
Episcopate in America on Apri124, 1963, ad to The ROmmlUJn Orthodox '
MissioTUU)' Archdiocese in America on August 6, I97S. However, alI.Joag "
the way he pretended that his Diocese is the o,.uw one. He died in 1963
and aflef three yeas of vacancy. the Bishop's Throne of the Mi may
Dioceflt was occupied by Archirmwlrite Victorin Ursache, appointed by,
the Holy Synod of Romania in June 1966, and ordained on August 7,
1966 It WindlOf, Onlmo. The puaUtl Missionary Dioceflt under the "
leadership of Bishop Victorin gained lOme strength through. the influx of
priests specially selected in Romania but did not succeed to break the
unity of the parishes loyal to the original Diocese. AtRmpts to unify the
two Diootaes y,e.ae hindered by the insistence of the Romanian Patri-.
archate in Bucharest that aU Romanian parishes should break their
canonical relationship with the Orthodox Quach in America and jOin the .
Romanian PatriarchaR. ,
3. Afler losing on aU grounds in their attempt to control or break the
Dioceae, the Romanian Patriarchate, the Romaruan gowmment I'
and the Minionary DioceIe in America concentrated on personal attacJr ..
ainsl Bishop Valerian. Through the services of the (.'bief Rabbi of 1
ROmanill, Dr. Mothe ROIleD, they succeeded to align with them lOme
Jewish orpniz.ation, thus giving the campaign .. mst Bishop Valerian.
political, religtous and even racial O'tatone.
,
IS6