At the beginning of December, Archdeacon Mihail Bucă, founder of the Tronos Byzantine Choir, visited the Romanian Orthodox Parish in San Antonio, Texas, where His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas awarded him the Metropolitan Cross.
Archdeacon Bucă, accompanied by members of the Tronos Choir, participated in the consecration of the newly built church in San Antonio, dedicated to Saints John Cassian and Andrew Șaguna. The historic event attracted guests from around the world, including hierarchs, clergy, and faithful believers.
Honoring Dedication to the Church
Following the consecration and the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicolae presented the Metropolitan Cross for Clergy to Fr. Valentin Dumitru Ilieș, the parish priest, and the same distinction for Laity to Matushka Geanina Cristina Ilieș and Mrs. Adina Pasnicu.
These awards recognized their unwavering faith, sacrifices, and dedication to the Church.
Metropolitan Nicolae also awarded the Metropolitan Cross for Clergy to Fr. Gheorghe Militaru, Vicar of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, and Archdeacon Mihail Bucă, conductor of the Tronos Choir at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest.
Both were commended for their tireless support, active involvement, and significant contributions to the spiritual growth of the Saint John Cassian and Saint Andrew Șaguna community in San Antonio.
Pilgrimage Highlight: Iviron Icon of the Theotokos
The participants also had the unique opportunity to venerate the Hawaiian Myrrh-Streaming Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, which was brought to the community as part of a pilgrimage marking the church’s consecration.
Photo: mitropolia.us
