Moscow Patriarchate accuses Romanian Church of nationalist expansion

31 October 2007, 17:07

Moscow, October 31, Interfax - The Moscow Patriarchate regards the decision of the Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church to set up dioceses on its canonical territory as a threat to the unity of the Christian Orthodox world.

"This is a nationalistically tainted expansionist adventure and an act directly leading to a split in the Christian Orthodox world," deputy head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate Bishop Mark told Interfax on Wednesday.

"One is getting the impression that the Church of Romania is simply a toy in the hands of nationalistically minded politicians and it is surprising that the Romanian Church has taken this road," he said.

The Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church on October 24 decided to set up seven new dioceses, three of them in Moldova and Transdniestria.

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