Saturday of Souls at Vatra Româneascătranslated

GRASS LAKE, MI — On Saturday, November 7, 2026, the Saturday of Souls, His Grace Bishop Andrei of Cleveland, Auxiliary Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, officiated a Parastas service at Saint Mary Cemetery at Vatra Românească, commemorating those who have fallen asleep in the Lord.

His Grace remembered in prayer His Grace Bishop Polycarp (Morușca), the first bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, and his successor, His Eminence Archbishop Valerian (Trifa), together with all the clergy and faithful buried in the cemetery.

Known in the Romanian Orthodox tradition as "Autumn estates," this general commemoration of the departed is observed on the first Saturday of November. Through prayer and acts of charity, the faithful remember their departed loved ones in the hope of the resurrection and eternal life, asking God to grant them forgiveness.

This commemoration takes place before the Nativity Fast, which begins on November 15 and continues through December 24. It offers an opportunity to remember with gratitude those who have gone before us as we prepare to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

May their memory be eternal!…