From restored Romanian temples to joyful anniversaries and pilgrimages of saints’ relics, this week the Orthodox world quietly rejoiced in the living presence of the Church across continents.
On a bright Sunday in Câmpia Turzii, Metropolitan Andrei of the Romanian Orthodox Church stood before the century-old Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and re-consecrated it after six years of loving restoration. The same walls that had sheltered generations once again received the holy chrism, their beauty renewed so that the faithful could offer the Divine Liturgy with fresh hearts. That spirit of renewal and remembrance colored the whole week. In America, Serbian faithful gave thanks for twenty-five years of their consecrated temple. In Greece, a new priest was ordained with tears of joy. On Mount Athos, Archbishop Nikitas presided at the feast of the Mother of God. Romanian believers prepared to welcome the relics of Saint George the Pilgrim, while Bishop Vasily of the Orthodox Church in America stood with the Georgian Church as it marked seventeen centuries of the Cross. A new monument to the Holy Eucharist rose in Roman. Everywhere the quiet work of sanctifying time and space continued, reminding every believer that the Church is always being made new while remaining forever the same.
Stories of the week
Romanian Orthodox Church · Oct 12
Metropolitan Andrei Re-consecrates Historic Church
In Câmpia Turzii, Romania, Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș and Sălaj of the Romanian Orthodox Church re-consecrated the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, built more than 110 years ago. The solemn service took place on Sunday after the completion of extensive renovation and restoration work carried out over the past six years. The metropolitan blessed the renewed iconostasis, walls and holy vessels so that the parish might once again offer the Eucharistic sacrifice in a temple made beautiful for God and His people. The event filled the local faithful with gratitude and renewed zeal for the house of the Lord.
On Sunday, October 11, the faithful of St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church in the Diocese of New Gračanica–Midwestern America gathered with great joy to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their church’s consecration. The holy temple had been consecrated on August 11, 2001, by the late Metropolitan Christopher of blessed memory. Parishioners, clergy and guests thanked God for a quarter-century of grace, baptisms, weddings and funerals beneath its dome, seeing the anniversary as a living witness that the Church continues to make her home among her scattered children.
Relics of Saint George the Pilgrim to Visit Alba Iulia
The reliquary containing the relics of Saint George the Pilgrim from Varatec Monastery in Neamț County, Romanian Orthodox Church, will travel on October 20 to the Archdiocesan Cathedral in Alba Iulia. The pilgrimage coincides with the feast of the Venerable Confessors Visarion and Sofronie and the Holy Martyr. A detailed program has been prepared so that the faithful of the region may venerate the saint known for his tireless journeys of prayer and ask his intercession. The visit is expected to bring comfort and renewed faith to many.
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople · Oct 18
Archbishop Nikitas Presides at Xenophontos Feast
Representing His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople visited the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Xenophontos on Mount Athos. There he presided over the celebrations for the feast of Panagia Hodegetria. The monastic community and visiting pilgrims joined in the solemn services, experiencing once again the ancient rhythm of Athonite prayer offered in honor of the Mother of God who guides the Church.
At the invitation of His Holiness Patriarch Shio, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Bishop Vasily of the Orthodox Church in America traveled to the Republic of Georgia to represent His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon. He took part in the celebrations marking 1,700 years of Christianity in that ancient land. The visit underscored the bonds of communion that unite the Local Churches as they give thanks for the unbroken apostolic faith preserved through centuries of trial and grace.
In an atmosphere of deep spiritual joy and emotion, the ordination to the priesthood of Archdeacon Father Christos Hilia took place on Saturday, October 17, at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Corinth. His Eminence Metropolitan Dionysios of Corinth of the Church of Greece presided at the Orthros and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. The new priest was surrounded by clergy and faithful who saw in his ordination a fresh sign of the Church’s continuing life and service in the city of the Apostle Paul.
A new monument dedicated to the Holy Eucharist was consecrated on Tuesday at the diocesan center in Roman by Archbishop Ioachim of Roman and Bacău of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The archbishop described the artistic creation as the symbol of Christ’s sacrifice and of our redemption from the bondage of sin. The monument stands as a public confession of faith, inviting passers-by to ponder the mystery that nourishes every Orthodox Christian.
St. Paraskeva has become a living bond within the Orthodox family of the Balkans, a common mother and protector of peoples who speak different languages but pray with the same faith and the same heart.
— Metropolitan Dimitrios of France and Exarch of Europe · Read the story →
The calendar
The week brought the Protection of the Most-Holy Theotokos and the memory of Saint Romanos the Melodist on October 14 according to the Julian calendar, the feast so dear to Slavic and Romanian hearts that recalls the Mother of God spreading her veil over the faithful in Constantinople. On the Gregorian calendar, October 18 honored the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, beloved physician and painter of the first icon of the Theotokos. For the faithful these days are gentle reminders that the saints still pray for us and that the Church’s song and image continue to heal and illumine our lives.
Looking ahead
Next week the Church will keep the memory of Saint Innocent of Moscow and the Holy Apostle Thomas on October 19 according to the Julian calendar, followed on October 22 by Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow, and the Holy Apostle James, son of Alphaeus. The faithful will also continue to prepare their hearts for the approaching Nativity Fast.
May the same grace that renewed these churches and gladdened these hearts renew each of us in the days ahead. Until next week, walk in peace.
For the curious: the numbers behind the week
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Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) · Church of Greece · Romanian Orthodox Church
Written by the editors of Orthodox House from the news of the Local Orthodox Churches published during the period; every story links to its source. Photographs belong to the source publications. · All reviews · Article →
