Orthodox Church in America: Romanian Orthodox Diocese Episcopate of America
Introduction
The Orthodox Church in America: Romanian Orthodox Diocese Episcopate of America is part of the Church of Romania. It is one of the ethnic dioceses of the Orthodox Church in America. The hierarch is Archbishop Nathaniel Popp of Detroit. It was established as a diocese at a general Church congress that was held in Detroit, Michigan April 25, 1929. They governed by the Church congress and the Episcopate Council are presided by a lone Bishop who represents the parishes. They operate as a religious non-profit organization. The church is headed by a Bishop who is elected for life by a special electoral Congress of the Episcopate. The Bishop is consecrated by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America.
The Diocesan Center of the Romanian Orthodox episcopate of America is located in Jackson, Michigan and the Cathedral of the Episcopate is in the Detroit area.
History
The beginning of the Episcopate started with the arrival in America of the Orthodox Romanian immigrants from Transylvania, Banat, Bukovina, and Macedo-Romania before World War I and many returned back to Europe after World War I.
The first Romanian community in the United States was formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1904 and in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada in 1902. The United States parishes were affiliated with the Metropolitan of Transylvania. The Romanian Holy Synod was established and proclaimed to be the establishment of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America on November 1930. The first elected bishop was Archimandrite Polycarp (Morsca) of the new episcopate in January 26, 1935.
This ruling bishop returned to Romania in 1939 and was unable to return because World War II had started. The new communist government of Romania detained the bishop from returning to America. The leaders for the Romanian Orthodox communities placed the Archimandrite Polycarp in retirement in 1947 and in 1950 the Romanian Orthodox Missionary Episcopate in America was chartered by a Romanian Holy Synod. The Romanian Patriarchate selected an American citizen to be the new bishop a Father. Andrei Moldovan. He went to Romania for his consecration and returned to the United States to rule the new parishes.
Belief
The Orthodox Church in America: Romanian Orthodox Diocese Episcopate of America believes in maintaining a continuity of faith and love with the apostolic community which was founded by Christ and sustained by the Holy Spirit. They believe their Christian teaching is free from error and free from distortion. They teach and believe they have remained true and loyal to the authentic Christian Faith.
The Orthodox Church in America: Romanian Orthodox Diocese Episcopate of America believes the Christian Faith and the Church are undividable. They believe it is the Church that gives an individual the nurturing in faith.
Orthodox Church in America: Romanian Orthodox Diocese Episcopate of America believe the Holy Scriptures are the sections of the Bible they read at Worship. They believe the Orthodox Church is the guardian and the interpreter of the Scriptures. They believe the Old Testament is the preparation for the coming of Christ and should be read in light of His revelation. They believe the New Testament is the focal point of the person and the work of Jesus and the out pouring of the Holy Spirit for the early Church. They believe the four gospels are the teachings and the life of Jesus Christ that center upon His Death and Resurrection. They believe the Books of Acts are dedicated to the Christian life and the development of the Church. They believe the Book Revelation is a symbolic text proclaiming the return of Christ.
Orthodox Church in America: Romanian Orthodox Diocese Episcopate of America believe God is the source of faith in the Church and they believe that god has revealed Himself to man in the revelation of Jesus Christ. They recognize Jesus Christ as being the Son of God. They believe this revelation of God, His love and His purpose are made manifest in the life of the Church by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Orthodox Church in America: Romanian Orthodox Diocese Episcopate of America believes there is only One God who has three distinct Persons. They believe the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit are all one Being. They believe the Holy Trinity is a mystery which cannot be comprehended.
Orthodox Church in America: Romanian Orthodox Diocese Episcopate of America believe in the doctrine of the Incarnation believing Jesus is more than a man or a teacher. They teach and believe Jesus is the Son of God who became the Son of Man. The Doctrine of the Incarnation is the expression of the experience of Christ in the Church. They believe Jesus has restored humanity to fellowship with God. They believe the Holy Trinity is manifested by the teachings of the meaning of human life, the conquering of the powers of sin and death through His Resurrection. They teach and believe Jesus Christ is the expression of love of God the Father for His people.
Orthodox Church in America: Romanian Orthodox Diocese Episcopate of America believe tradition means that which is handed on from one generation to another. Tradition is very important to the Romanian Orthodox Church.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Orthodox Church in America: Romanian Orthodox Diocese Episcopate of America:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2006.<https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2791,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006, January) “Orthodox Church in America: Romanian Orthodox Diocese Episcopate of America:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2791,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2006) “Orthodox Church in America: Romanian Orthodox Diocese Episcopate of America:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2791, (accessed).
