This Thursday, 5 February 2015, the members of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church met in working session at the Patriarchal Residence. The session was preceded by the Divine Liturgy and Te Deum celebrated at the Patriarchal Cathedral by His Grace Emilian Lovisteanul, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Ramnic.
To start with, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel emphasised the importance of the meeting of the highest forum of the Romanian Orthodox Church: “Today’s meeting of the Holy Synod is very important, because it will elect the new Bishop of Covasna and Harghita, and approve the Regulations of the church canonical authorities and of the instances of judgement. We will also discuss and approve new means of promoting the importance of the religion class in the public schools, as well as a few decisions concerning the development of the social philanthropic activities. All this represents an emergency for our Church. Thus, we hope we shall bring light, encouragement and hope in the life of the Church through today’s decisions of the Holy Synod”.
There followed the election of the new hierarch of the Diocese of Covasna and Harghita, out of the two candidates proposed by the metropolitan synod of the Metropolitan of Transylvania: His Grace Andrei Fagarasanul, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Sibiu and His Grace Calinic Botosaneanul, Assistant Bishop to the Archdiocese of Iasi. As a result of the secret ballot held His Grace Andrei Fagarasanul was elected with 38 votes out of 45 votes validly expressed.
“It is one of a kind area of Romania somehow, because the Romanians are in minority here. His Eminence Ioan Selejan lived there for 20 years working with time and no time, with much sacrifice and wisdom. This work which has been not only begun but also affirmed in all fields of action, must be continued both from a liturgical point of view through the many places of worship built, and from an administrative point of view. It is a small eparchy, because it has few faithful and parishes compared to other eparchies, but it is dynamic and well organised with a material basis good enough for continuing the work begun. This is why we have to continue what we received as spiritual and material legacy, with zeal and love for our homeland and people. This is a spiritual elevated patriotism which does not mean feud between ethnic groups and confessions, but much wisdom and the equilibrium needed in cases sometimes delicate. It is a good thing for the neighbouring eparchies to keep on helping it when they are asked to and even at their own initiative. This eparchy is helped every year, but its needs are very great, especially for keeping its Romanian identity and dignity. Thus, the entire Holy Synod should take fatherly care of this area, because it is not as simple as it seems at first sight. Courage based on faith, wisdom and much prayer is needed”, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said.
His Grace Andrei Fagarasanul, Bishop elect of Covasna and Harghita is the son of the eparchy he will serve. In the course of time he was abbot of Fagetel Monastery, county of Harghita, as well as exarch of the monasteries in this part of the world.
“In almost 15 years, which I spent near His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat I succeeded in knowing the missionary zeal of the man of the mountains, as he was called till the day before yesterday. I succeeded in knowing the good Christians of the two counties which make the Eparchy of Covasna and Harghita, their servant priests, troubles and joys. I was deeply impressed whenever I spent my time with the Orthodox Romanians of this eparchy, impressed by their missionary zeal and their carrying their cross with joy in Christ, our Lord. I thank God, at this time of spiritual emotion, for all the gifts bestowed over me in these 25 years of monastic living in the territory of Romanian Orthodoxy where the Romanians are in minority in their own house. Thank you very much Your Beatitude for the love with which you received me as hierarch, member of the Holy Synod and for the advice that you gave me during the last few years. I do thank you for the love you show to the Orthodox Christians from the Diocese of Covasna and Harghita and for the great help you give to this eparchy”, His Grace Andrei Fagarasanul, Bishop elect of Covasna and Harghita said.
The enthronement of the new titular hierarch of Covasna and Harghita will take place Sunday, 15 February 2015, in the Episcopal Cathedral of Miercurea Ciuc.
