OCA Chancellor Visits Romania and Czech Lands and Slovakia

Fr. Alessandro presents relics of St. Olga of Alaska to His Beatitude Met. Rastislav. Photo: OCA

SPRINGFIELD, VA — At the end of October 2025, Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), undertook an official visit to the Churches of Romania and of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, with the blessing of His Beatitude Met. Tikhon.

As shared in a release from the OCA, in Bucharest, Fr. Alessandro joined Dr. Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie, Dean of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, to represent the OCA at the October 26 consecration of the mosaic iconography of Romania’s National Cathedral — an event coinciding with the feast of St. Demetrios and the centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate. The service was concelebrated by Pat. Bartholomew of Constantinople, Pat. Daniel of Romania, and hierarchs from across the Orthodox world.

During his stay, Fr. Alessandro met with His Grace Bsp. Varlaam of Ploiești, Secretary of the Holy Synod, at the Patriarchal Palace, discussing matters of shared pastoral concern and cooperation between the OCA and the Romanian Orthodox Church. Topics included the recent canonization of St. Olga of Alaska and the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America’s initiative to begin the canonization process for Archimandrite Roman Braga.

Fr. Alessandro also concelebrated Great Vespers at Schitul Măgureanu Monastery and participated in a private reception hosted by the Alexandrion Foundation in honor of Pat. Bartholomew.

The second leg of his visit took place in Slovakia, where he was received by His Eminence Abp. Juraj of Košice and Michalovce. Fr. Alessandro toured diocesan parishes and charitable initiatives before meeting His Beatitude Met. Rastislav in Prešov on October 30. During their meeting, he conveyed greetings from Met. Tikhon and presented relics of St. Olga of Alaska as a sign of fraternal unity between the two Churches.

Their discussions highlighted ongoing collaboration, theological education, and plans for future pilgrimages and exchanges. Fr. Alessandro concluded his visit on October 31, returning to the United States after a week of strengthening ecclesiastical and brotherly ties across the Orthodox world.

A full photo gallery from the trip can be seen here.

Previously, UOJ reported that Pat. Bartholomew and Pat. Daniel consecrated the iconography of Romania's National Cathedral.

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