Aspecte istorico-instituționale privind întâistătătorii în biserica ortodoxă de stil vechi din România [Articol]

Abstract

Historical-institutional aspects regarding the primates of the Old Calendar Orthodox Church in Romania. The Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church in 1924, a moment perceived by some of the clergy and believers as a deviation from the patristic tradition. In this context, the need arose to form a parallel ecclesiastical structure, which would preserve the Byzantine liturgical and calendar tradition unaltered. The primates of this Church played an essential role in institutional legitimization and consolidation of confessional identity. The first recognized hierarch was Metropolitan Galaction Cordun, former bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Church, who officially switched to the old style in 1955. His successor, Saint Hierarch Glicherie Tănase, later canonized, contributed decisively to the organization of monastic life and eparchial structures. Canonical succession was maintained through ordinations in the sobor, and the metropolitan institution had its permanent headquarters at the Slătioara Monastery. From an institutional perspective, church leadership was organized on a synodal model, with a permanent consistory and periodic eparchial assemblies, maintaining a balance between hierarchical authority and consultation of the clergy and the faithful. This structure guaranteed the continuity and cohesion of the Church in the face of external pressures.