Before we start, please allow us to state that we have no ties to the Romanian Orthodox Church of the Old Calendar (ROCOC), but we have been following the controversy about whether they are or are not Canonical. The efforts of World Orthodoxy to convince everyone that ROCOC (and those alike) are in fact uncanonical are well recognized.

The controversy has been inflamed even more by Romanian Theologian Danion Vasile, who after joining ROCOC for a short period of time, has decided he had made a mistake and returned to the official Romanian Orthodox Church. The main argument presented in support of his decision was a document signed in both Romanian and Greek in 1979, by which the Greek Orthodox Old Calendar Church hierarchs recognized ROCOC as a Sister Church and established full communion with her. ROCOC also signed the declaration. In presenting all the evidence, Danion makes it clear that the question of canonicity was not at all about the Greek Orthodox Church of The Old Calendar, but about that of ROCOC. Theologian Danion presents scanned copies of this declaration on his website which clearly show that both parties acknowledged that there were indeed some serious concerns about the circumstances in which Bishop Galaction of ROCOC ordained two Bishops. While under house arrest, Bishop Galaction performed the cheirothesia on his own, and ROCOC has argued that the ordinations were valid given the conditions of severe persecution under which the ROCOC was at the time. Danion Vasile then makes the case that the canon in question can indeed be broken under such conditions but it was necessary for Bishop Galaction to seek at least a letter of support from another Bishop.

The case is strong and well argued, but unfortunately it tries to stick more to the letter of the law than to the spirit of the law. Indeed there is no question, mistakes were made by Bishop Galaction (and others) as very well argued by Theologian Danion. Instead, what we believe was overlooked in his analysis was exactly what was contained in those signed documents. The documents presented by Danion, while confirming the mistakes, also represent a written form of confession! Rather than looking at the documents as a reason for condemnation, it may be wiser to look at them as an act of repentance! Both signatory parties have acknowledged in writing that some things were not exactly right in the way ROCOC was established. Was what Metropolitan Galaction did absolutely canonical? No. Yet it was not categorically uncanonical either! On top of this, as Theologian Danion underlines, more mistakes were done by other people, who out of an unholy zeal, tried to hide or twist some historical facts in some books. Yet God always gives time for repentance, God has economy! Just like it is well argued in Danion’s article (who makes reference to another article written by Vladimir Moss), the Ecumenical Patriarchate has made a similar (if not bigger) mistake in 1920 by adopting Ecumenism as doctrine, but it is not considered they have fallen out of grace (yet). What is then the difference? Here we have ROCOC who have repented of their sin, they have confessed their mistakes in writing, and signed the declaration! Not the same can be said about the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Since when has the very essence of Orthodox Christianity been removed from the Orthodox Doctrine? Since when has repentance become unacceptable in the Orthodox Church? Yes, Metropolitan Galaction acted in part out of pride, but that mistake was confessed by his Church, in writing, and the very documents presented stand evidence. Who can stand in God’s place and assume the responsibility to judge that what ROCOC did was completely uncanonical? Let us not forget that our Lord Jesus Christ showed us that the publican, who confessed his sins condemning only himself, was found to be more justified before God than the pharisee, who considering himself the be standing right in the law, and who out of pride kept thanking Him for not being a sinner like the publican.

Yes, it is hard to be in ROCOC’s shoes right now. The damage has already been done to a great extent. What we would do if we were ROCOC? We would let all the hate and condemnation come forth without fighting back. They have already done what was right before God – they have repented! Have they repented fully? No. They have done it to a great extent, but they still have more to confess, there are still things that need to be made right. Having done that, we would then not be afraid to stand before the judgement Seat of Christ!

References:
Vadimir Moss’ article
http://www.academia.edu/13447585/THE_APOSTOLIC_SUCCESSION_OF_THE_ROMANIAN_OLD_CALENDARIST_CHURCHES

Danion Vasile’s article (including scanned documents)
http://www.danionvasile.ro/blog/danion-vasile-lamuriri-de-ce-nu-am-trecut-pe-stil-vechi/

To judge or not to judge – who can stand in God’s place?
http://orthodoxaustralia.org/2015/08/06/to-judge-or-not-to-judge/