NEW YORK: April 11, 2006

A Representative of the Synod of Bishops Meets With the Hierarchies of the Rumanian and Bulgarian Old-Calendar Churches

In February, 2006, the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia decided to send the Rector of Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Los Angeles , Mitred Protopriest Alexander Lebedeff, Secretary of the Commission on discussions with the Moscow Patriarchate, to Rumania and Bulgaria to meet with the First Hierarchs and clergymen of the Old-Calendar Churches of those countries. The goal of these meetings is to deliver to the Heads of these Churches an epistle from His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus in which he clarifies the official position of the Synod of Bishops in matters connected with the process of reconciliation between the Russian Church Abroad and the Moscow Patriarchate.

On the evening of April 8, in Bucharest , Fr Alexander visited Geneva , where, with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Ambroise of Geneva and Western Europe , he led all-night vigil at Elevation of the Cross Cathedral along with Protopriest Paul Tsvetkoff. The following day, Fr Alexander served with His Grace Bishop Ambroise, who officiated at Divine Liturgy at the Church of Holy Great Martyr Barbara . His Grace and the Commission Secretary then had a discussion on ecclesiastical matters.

On Monday, April 10, Fr Alexander arrived in Bucharest , where he was met by Archimandrite Kiprian of the Old-Calendar Rumanian Church .

On April 11, His Eminence Metropolitan Vlasi will receive Fr Alexander at his residence.

On April 13, Fr Alexander will meet with Bishop Photius of Triaditsa, Head of the Bulgarian Old-Calendar Orthodox Church.