Confession of Faith and Conclusions of the 2018 Synaxis in Roman, Romania

The Confession of Faith and Conclusions of the Orthodox Synaxis at Roman, Romania

January 25, 2018

We thank God, Worshipped in Trinity, the Most Holy Theotokos, St.Gregory the Theologian, St. Bretanion of Tomis, and those celebrated with them today, and all the saints, for deeming us worthy to meet again in the spirit of Orthodox confession.

In today's Synaxis, a theological text was read, composed by Hieromonk Spiridon Roșu from Rădeni Hermitage, Neamț County, comprising 68 critical observations regarding Mihai Silviu Chirilă's study, which was published in September 2017, entitled "Participation in Heresy – Biblical and Patristic Expression." Although invited, the author of the study was not present. Father Spiridon Roșu's observations on the study were accepted as Orthodox, unequivocally demonstrating that a third, intermediary state between Orthodoxy and heresy (participation in heresy) has no patristic theological foundation.

In the discussions within the Synaxis, the patristic answer was sought for several controversial issues generated by the idea of the existence of this intermediary state mentioned above. The participants in the Synaxis concluded the following:

1. After the appearance and spread of a heresy, not yet condemned by a synod, within the life of the Church, a member of the Church can only find themselves in one of two states: Orthodox or heretic!

2. Any form of ecclesiastical communion with heresy is heresy. The Holy Fathers are categorical on this matter.

3. Participation in heresy, whether knowingly or unknowingly, is still heresy.

4. Heresy, whether or not it has been condemned by a synod, is still heresy.

5. Any other interpretation or attempt to justify heresy does not absolve the heretic from responsibility and guilt before God, the Church, and his own conscience.

6. We reject the accusation of schism against us, on the grounds that, being followers of the Holy Fathers, we do not accept participation in heresy as a distinct state from heresy itself.

7. We do not claim that the Sacraments performed by ecumenist heretics (who have not yet been condemned by a synod) are invalid or that Christ is not present in the Holy Chalice.

8. The Sacraments performed by ecumenist heretics are not for the sanctification and salvation of those who receive them, but for their condemnation, due to their heretical faith. This is the reason why we have broken communion with them.

9. The true economy, as handed down to us by the Holy Fathers, is that we await our brothers, both clergy and laity, who are in communion with the ecumenist heretics, to separate themselves from heresy. We inform everyone, without forcing anyone to do anything against their will.

10. The hypothesis of the automatic withdrawal of grace due to falling into heresy nullifies the synodality of the Church and is of papist origin, having been condemned by the Church.

11. The members of the Synaxis agree with the idea that it is not necessary to accuse or defend any bishop, because Canon 15 of the First-Second Council of Constantinople during the time of St.Photius the Great condemns him if he is a heretic, and his words and deeds testify about him.

We specify for all the faithful, to avoid possible erroneous interpretations, that we are applying Canon 15 mentioned above, we are not creating a schism in the Church, we are not affiliating with any schismatic group (whether of calendrical orientation or any other kind), we are not creating our own Church (such a blasphemy is far from us), but we are only faithfully following the teaching of the Church, inherited from the Holy Fathers.

We love all our brothers, we pray for them, we hold no resentment towards anyone, and we urge them not to allow division to work among us. We hope that at the next Synaxis, all the priests who have separated themselves from the ecumenist heresy will be present, among whom, although invited today as well, some could not attend, and others refused to come.

Source: https://stranaortodoxa.wordpress.com/2018/01/29/marturisirea-de-credinta-si-concluziile-sinaxei-ortodoxe-de-la-roman-25-ianuarie-2018/