Lipovan Orthodox Old-Rite Church

Old Believers in Romania (2002 census)

The Lipovan Orthodox Old-Rite Church (or Orthodox Old-ritualist Church, Orthodox Old-Rite Church) is the Romanian-based jurisdiction of the Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy (Eastern Orthodox Church).

The head of the Church carries the title of Archbishop of Belo-Krinitsa and Metropolitan of All Old Orthodox Christians. His see is officially (not in fact) in Bila Krynytsya (Bukovina), his residence in Brăila, Romania (current titular: Metropolitan Leontius (Izot) since 24 October 1996).

History

Lipovans are Russian Old Believers who fled Russia in the late 17th early 18th centuries in order to escape the persecution of their faith. The first part of their name derives from an early church leader, (English form) Philip.

Eparchies

Four eparchies in Romania:

• Eparchy of Brăila and Tulcea
• Eparchy of Slava
• Eparchy of Bukovina and Moldavia
• Eparchy of North America, Western Europe, Australia, and Georgia of the former Soviet Union

See also

• Lipovans

External links

• Eparchy of Slava