The Romanians from Lucca bought the church where the first Romanian Orthodox bishop of Italy was enthronedtranslated

The members of the Romanian Orthodox parish community in Lucca, Italy, signed last Friday the contract for the purchase of the church where they carry out their liturgical activity.

The event represents a historical moment of particular importance, in this place of worship being enthroned, on May 8, 2008, the first Romanian Orthodox bishop of Italy, the Most Reverend Father Siluan.

Since the religious edifice dates from the 12th-15th centuries and is classified as an art monument protected by the Italian Ministry of Culture, the contract will produce all its legal effects immediately after the expiry of the legal pre-emption period reserved for the Italian state.

The project, entitled "Roots and continuity: The acquisition of the parish church of Saint Anthony the Great in Lucca - the place of the enthronement of the first Romanian Orthodox bishop of Italy", benefited from non-refundable funding from the Department for Romanians Everywhere.

"By obtaining the right of ownership over the place located in via Sant'Anastasio, the parish guarantees the preservation of the spiritual identity for the Romanians of Lucca and the neighboring towns", announce the representatives of the parish community.

"Thank you…