Romanians from Amsterdam bought their church: The purchase became a factor of cohesion in the communitytranslated

The Romanians from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, bought the church they have been using since 2024. "The purchase has become a factor of cohesion in our community," Father Ion Iuga, the parish priest of the Romanian community "St. Ioan Gura de Aur" in Amsterdam, told the Basilica News Agency.

The cleric explained that the lack of a sufficiently spacious place had come to influence even the participation in the services.

That is why the decision was made that in 2024 it will move to the Roman Catholic Church "Adormira Maiii Domnului" in Heemstede commune, southwest of the capital of the Netherlands.

A special architecture The interior of the recently acquired church. Photo credit: "St. John the Baptist" Parish in Amsterdam The process of taking over the current church lasted almost three years and involved numerous legal proceedings. Father Ion Iuga also highlighted the architectural peculiarities of the building, which made it perceived by many believers as suitable for Orthodox worship.

"The church building has a special architecture, giving a strong impression to the one who crosses its threshold for the first time. Due to the Byzantine features, the dome shape and the lack of...