OCA Delegation Visits Churches in Romania and Slovakia
At the end of October 2025, and with the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, undertook an official visit to the Churches in Romania and in the Czech Lands and Slovakia.
On October 24, with the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, Fr. Alessandro traveled to Bucharest together with Dr. Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie, Dean of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, to attend the consecration of the iconography of the National Cathedral on the feast of Saint Demetrios the Myrrh-Gusher. The visit provided the opportunity for the Orthodox Church in America to be represented at this historic celebration and for Fr. Alessandro to meet with various representatives of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
On Saturday, October 25, Fr. Alessandro and Dr. Tudorie were welcomed to the Patriarchal Palace for a meeting with His Grace Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch and Secretary of the Holy Synod, representing Patriarch Daniel. The discussion focused on the life of both Churches, the significance of the consecration of the Cathedral’s iconography, and areas of mutual interest and cooperation. Topics included the recent canonization of Saint Olga of Alaska and other new saints, as well as the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America’s resolution to begin the canonization process of Archimandrite Roman Braga, which will be considered by the Holy Synod of Bishops at its upcoming November session, and the possible collaboration with the Romanian Patriarchate.
That evening, Fr. Alessandro was invited to concelebrate Great Vespers at Schitul Măgureanu Monastery in Bucharest, at the invitation of its Abbot, Archimandrite Antim, followed by a meal with the brotherhood and guests.
On Sunday, October 26, the delegation attended the historic consecration of the iconography of the National Cathedral—an event commemorating the year in which the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrates the 100th anniversary of its elevation to the rank of Patriarchate and the 140th anniversary of its Autocephaly. Construction of the Cathedral, which now stands as the largest Orthodox Church in the world, began in 2010 under the leadership of Patriarch Daniel. The service was attended by thousands of faithful and concelebrated by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Patriarch Daniel, and numerous bishops, clergy, and deacons of the Romanian Orthodox Church from around the world.
Fr. Alessandro and Dr. Tudorie were accompanied to the Cathedral by Priest Cosmin Pricop, Dean of the Theological Faculty of the University of Bucharest.
Later that evening, they were invited to a private reception hosted by the Alexandrion Foundation in honor of Patriarch Bartholomew, where they greeted His All-Holiness, members of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s delegation, and other dignitaries attending the event.
On Monday, following the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Alessandro and Dr. Tudorie held further informal meetings with representatives of the Romanian Patriarchate and the Metropolis of Bucharest.
On Tuesday, October 28, Fr. Alessandro departed Bucharest for Košice, Slovakia, to begin the second part of his trip. He was received at the Košice airport by His Eminence Archbishop Juraj of Košice and Michalovce. That evening, Archbishop Juraj welcomed Fr. Alessandro to the Diocesan Cathedral, offering an opportunity to discuss the life of the Archdiocese, the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, and matters of mutual interest.
On Wednesday, Archbishop Juraj and his Archdeacon guided Fr. Alessandro on a visit to the Diocese. The tour began at the Cathedral in Michalovce, where a new bell tower with a crypt and baptistry is under construction. There, they met with Archpriest Sergej Barilik, Dean, and later visited the Diocesan Chancery. In the afternoon, they visited the parish of Markovce, where Priest Martin Halik spoke about his mission among the Roma community and various charitable programs. In the evening, they visited the parish of Brezina, served by Archpriest Vasil Bardzak, Chancellor of the Archdiocese.
On Thursday, October 30, Fr. Alessandro was accompanied by Archbishop Juraj to Prešov for an audience with His Beatitude Metropolitan Rastislav, Primate of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia. Also present was Archpriest Michal Švajko, Secretary of the Archdiocese of Prešov. Fr. Alessandro conveyed the greetings of Metropolitan Tikhon and of the Orthodox Church in America, and on behalf of Metropolitan Tikhon, presented Metropolitan Rastislav with relics of the recently canonized Saint Olga of Alaska, whose veneration is spreading rapidly throughout the Church in the Czech Lands and Slovakia. His Beatitude expressed deep gratitude for the gift and emphasized the importance of continued fraternal relations and mutual visits between the two Churches. Their discussion touched on topics of common concern, developments in world Orthodoxy, possible future pilgrimages, and the shared history linking the two Churches.
Following the audience, Fr. Alessandro visited the Primatial Cathedral of Saint Alexander Nevsky, the Theological Faculty of the University of Prešov, and the Seminary, where he was warmly received by Archpriest Štefan Pružinský, Dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology. Their conversation focused on theological education and priestly formation.
That afternoon, Fr. Alessandro returned to Košice with Archbishop Juraj, whom he thanked for the generous hospitality he had received throughout his visit.
On Friday, October 31, Fr. Alessandro departed Slovakia to return to the United States.