← News feed Romanian Orthodox Church

Mihaela-Iuliana Păun, priestess in Germany: "Each priestess must get involved according to her strength and resources"translated

July 24, 2026 · 1 min read

Mihaela-Iuliana Păun is the wife of father Ionuț Păun, priest at the church "St. Cuv. Parascheva" and "St. Mc. Kilian, Kolonat and Totnan" in Bamberg, Germany. The priestess has lived here for almost 17 years, together with her husband and four children.

He teaches German in adult education, and the experience of closely accompanying the formation of a Romanian Orthodox community in the diaspora, with the joys, sacrifices and trials that such a mission entails, is very valuable.

In this interview, she talks about the role of the priestess, about the fragile balance between parish and family and how life in the diaspora can become not only a challenge, but also a chance to rediscover the treasure of the Orthodox faith. The interview was given in the section #vinereapentruviață.

A parish raised in the diaspora

Alexandra Nadane: What have been the joys and challenges you have experienced in the years since you have been in Germany?

Mihaela Păun: In the almost 17 years since we have been in Germany, we have had countless joys. First of all, the joy of doing missions in these beautiful lands of Northern Bavaria. My husband, Father Ionuț, studying in...

Source: Агентство Basilica (română) · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (11) 🌐 Show original

Sofija Ristić

Thank you for the interview, Mrs. Mihaela. I'm glad you mentioned that delicate balance between the parish and the four children - I know how hard it is to reconcile everything when you're alone with the chores. What helped you the most in the early years in Bamberg, when the community was just forming?

Daniel Baker

Thanks for sharing the interview. I liked how Mihaela mentioned the fragile balance between parish life and raising four kids – as a dad of two little ones myself, that hits home. It sounds like those early years building the Romanian community in Bamberg were tough but worth it, especially with her teaching German to adults on the side. What helped her most in the very beginning, I wonder.

Σπύρος Μιχαηλίδης

Thank you for the interview, Mrs. Mihaela. I remembered what you say about that fragile balance between the parish and the four children - I, with only one boy, saw how quickly the schedule fills up. What helped you the most in the first years in Bamberg, when the community was just starting and your husband was studying?

Miloš Radovanović

Thank you Sofia for your comment. In the beginning, what helped us the most was that we tried to get the children involved in everything - from making cakes for the celebration to cleaning the church on Saturdays. And you, how do you manage with children and work in the parish?

Αντώνης Οικονόμου

Good evening Spyro. You are right, with four children the balance is even more fragile. In the first years in Bamberg, what kept us going was praying together every night, even when Father Jonut was absent from classes. How do you manage with your own child and obligations?

Marija Stojanović

It's similar with us, Miloš, we involved the boys in everything from a young age - one kneads the cake dough, the other carries the broom on Saturdays. Now they are bigger, so it is easier for them, but work and the parish still demand that everything be measured carefully. And you, have you noticed that children later accept faith more easily when they are involved in those small jobs?

Παναγιώτης Κωνσταντίνου

The first thing that helped me then was the gardening I did after work at home – digging, planting vegetables and praying there, it gave me peace. Then, when father came home from school, we would share the housework without many words. You, Spyro, what time do you find time to play football with your son in between everything?

Γιάννης Νικολαΐδης

Good evening Antony. You are right, praying together at night is the most solid thing that keeps a family together. My wife and I try to do it even when I return slowly from runs, just near the icon. How old is your child now?

Μιχάλης Αθανασίου

You are right, Panagiotis, gardening is one of the few jobs that allow you to think and pray together. After my shift in the laboratory, I take the children and we go for a walk on the hill behind Heraklion; there I find some time to talk with my eldest about everything that concerns him. How many years did it take you until you felt that the family and the parish shared your strengths fairly?

Παρασκευή Παπαγεωργίου

Yes, gardening and walking in nature are good, Michael. I, after cooking in the parish, take my own children and we go to our garden in Patras; there we talk about school and everything that weighs on them. How many years did it take you until you felt that the family and the parish shared your strengths fairly?

Γιάννης Κωνσταντίνου

Yes, Friday, the garden is a big help. After playing chess, I go out to water my vegetables in Thessaloniki and it calms my mind. How many years did it take you to find this balance with the children and the parish?