MINUTES (PRAKTIKON) OF THE DELEGATION OF THE PATRIARCHATE OF ROMANIA & OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM

February 2014

The restauration of full communion between the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Romanian Patriarchate:

On the 20^th and 21^st  of February 2013, an official delegation of the Romanian Patriarchate consisting of His Eminence Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Târgovişte and Patriarchal Exarch, Rev. Prof. Dr. Viorel Ioniţă and Rev. Fr. Michael Tiţa, Patriarchal counsellor, was received by His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of the Committee of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem made up of His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Chief Secretary, His Eminence Archbishop Theophylaktos of Jordan, Patriarchal Representative in Bethlehem and Rev. Archimandrite Galaction, Superior in Ramalla.

The visit was also due to the initiative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate aimed at mediating in clarifying aspects of the relations between the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Romanian Patriarchate.

After discussions in a spirit of Christian Orthodox communion, the two sides agreed on the following points ad referendum to the Holy Synod:

1. The Memorandum signed in Bucharest on the 11th of December 2012 between the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Romanian Patriarchate was accepted as the basis of the present Minutes.
2. The restoration of full communion between the Patriarchates of Jerusalem and of Romania should be also regarded as a matter of urgency in view of the need to accelerate the process of preparation of the Great and Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church.
3. To this purpose, the Romanian Patriarchate recognizes fully and unreservedly the canonical jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the Holy Land with its pastoral implications.
4. Regarding the status of the church and the pilgrim’s hostel in Jericho, the Romanian Patriarchate should remain the owner of these buildings, while the spiritual, liturgical and ecclesiastical use of these buildings should depend on the canonical blessing of the Patriarch of Jerusalem:

a)    The priests serving in the church of these buildings should be appointed by the Patriarch of Jerusalem on the basis of recommendation of the Patriarch of Romania. It is of course understood that the Patriarch of Jerusalem may Himself or with his clergy liturgically use this church whenever he decides to do so;

b)    All priests celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the church should commemorate at the anaphora (ἐν πρώτοις μνήσθητι) only the Patriarch of Jerusalem, while at the Great Entrance the priests may commemorate also the name of the Patriarch of Romania;

c)     The Antimision will be received from the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

1. The Romanian Patriarchate will avoid in the future to build churches or shrines on the canonical territory of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem without written agreement.
2. Concerning the status of Archimandrite Ieronim Creţu, who was deposed from the rank of priesthood, it was agreed that the Patriarchate of Jerusalem will lift up this canonical measure, and the Romanian Patriarchate will call him back to Romania.
3. Concerning the Representation of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, it was agreed that a special Statute should be worked out as soon as possible, by the two sides.

His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem has given his consent to the above Minutes (Praktikon).

Jerusalem, 21^st February 2013

The Committee of   the Patriarchate of Jerusalem:

His Eminence Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, Chief Secretary,

His Eminence Archbishop Theophylaktos of Jordan, Patriarchal Representative in Bethlehem,

Rev. Archimandrite Galaction, Superior in Ramalla.

The Delegation of the Romanian Patriarchate:

His Eminence Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Târgovişte and Patriarchal Exarch,

Rev. Prof. Dr. Viorel Ioniţă,

Rev. Fr. Michael Tiţa, Patriarchal counsellor.

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