Abp. Nicolae Romanian Archdiocese

Abp. Nicolae reaches deep into the history of Orthodoxy in America to draw out the narrative of accomplishment of Orthodox clergy and laity that, he implies, functions as a map for the future.

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ADDRESS OF HIS EMINENCE
ARCHBISHOP NICOLAE OF THE ROMANIAN ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE
At the Episcopal Assembly of North and Central America

New York, New York
May 27, 2010

Abp. Nicolae, Romanian Archdiocese

Your Eminence Archbishop Demetrios,
Your Eminences and Your Graces,
Dear Brothers and con-celebrants in the Lord,

We have gathered here these days bathed in the Light and Grace of the All-Holy Spirit to discuss the future of our Holy Orthodox Church in North America. Whether this comes to be seen as an historic meeting will depend on us, and what we decide. And while we may have been convened in a new way, that fact is that the project of organizing the Church on this continent is not new. As we continue our deliberations it would be helpful to pause and reflect on all of the efforts over the last century that have enabled us to come to this moment. We stand in a line of very eminent and holy people who grappled with the very same issues we will attempt, over the course of days and years, to reconcile and resolve. If we are able to discuss these issues in ways that have eluded others in the past, it will be in no small measure due to the real vision and sacrifice of all of those men and women who planted Christ’s Church here; who watered and nurtured Her; who ensured that She would take root and grow.
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