The Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia issued an official announcement concerning the activities of Romanian Orthodox priest Daniel Corîu, who reportedly celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Shenzhen, China, as well as in Hong Kong and the Philippines, without canonical authorization.
In its statement, the Metropolitanate emphasizes that the Romanian cleric has never received permission or blessing from Metropolitan Nektarios of Hong Kong and South East Asia to celebrate any sacrament within the canonical jurisdiction of the Holy Metropolitanate, condemning what it describes as “uncanonical actions” and unauthorized religious gatherings.
The announcement also calls on the clergy and the faithful to refrain from participating in or supporting such actions.
Read below the announcement:
To the Reverend Clergy and the Faithful
of the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia
It has come to our attention that a Romanian Orthodox priest, identified as Daniel Corîu, who resides in Tokyo, has recently visited Shenzhen, China, where he reportedly celebrated the Divine Liturgy. We have also received information that he has acted in a similar manner in Hong Kong and in the Philippines.
In this regard, we wish to inform all clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia that the above-mentioned Romanian cleric has never met the canonical Orthodox Metropolitan of Hong Kong and South East Asia, and has never received canonical permission or blessing to celebrate the Divine Liturgy or any other Holy Mystery (Sacrament) within the canonical jurisdiction of this Holy Metropolitanate.
Therefore, we hereby condemn his uncanonical actions, as well as the actions of all those who, with irresponsibility and disregard for ecclesiastical order, invite him and organize such uncanonical and illicit gatherings and services.
We further declare that the above-mentioned Romanian cleric is to be regarded from this point forward as persona non grata within the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia. He is strictly forbidden from celebrating any Holy Sacrament within the jurisdiction of the Metropolitanate. Any religious services or sacramental acts performed by him within our ecclesiastical jurisdiction are unauthorized, uncanonical, invalid, and not recognized by the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia.
We call upon the clergy and faithful to remain vigilant, preserve the canonical order of the Church, and refrain from any participation in or support for such unlawful and uncanonical actions.
With pastoral concern,
The Metropolitan
+ Nektarios
Metropolitan of Hong Kong and South East Asia
