His Grace Bishop Nectarie was officially enthroned as the first Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Ireland and Iceland on Saturday following the Divine Liturgy held at the “St. Columba” Church of the Dublin II Parish.
Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe presented the new bishop with the episcopal insignia, including the mantle, cross, engolpions, kamilavka, and episcopal staff, while the faithful chanted in unison, “Axios!” (Worthy!).
Archbishop-elect Atanasie of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Secretary of the Metropolitan Synod of Western and Southern Europe, read the metropolitan act on the enthronement.
Attendees and Dignitaries
The enthronement ceremony was attended by Romanian and foreign hierarchs, representatives from embassies and Irish state institutions, along with clergy and faithful from the newly established diocese.
Hon. Metropolitan Nifon, Archbishop of Târgoviște and patriarchal exarch, represented His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel at the event and conveyed the Patriarch’s message.
A Historic Celebration
In his message, Patriarch Daniel emphasized the significance of this event for the Romanian Orthodox Church:
“The enthronement of His Grace Bishop Nectarie Petre as the first bishop of the newly established Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Ireland and Iceland is an event of great and blessed joy, not only for the Romanian Orthodox community in these two island countries of Western and Northern Europe but also for the entire Romanian Orthodox Church.”
The Patriarch highlighted the efforts that led to establishing the Diocese of Ireland and Iceland and the election of Bishop Nectarie as its first leader.
Responsibility and Mission
Patriarch Daniel reminded the newly enthroned bishop of the responsibility involved in leading the diocese, which is still in the process of organization and consolidation:
“Serving the people of God in the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Ireland and Iceland means assuming a great responsibility, especially since the diocese entrusted to you today is one that is in the process of organization and consolidation.”
“However, we are fully convinced that Your Grace, as a worthy and wise servant of God’s Mysteries (cf. 1 Cor. 4, 1), will devoutly serve the Romanian Orthodox community in Ireland and Iceland, faithfully fulfilling the new mission to which you have been called, in cooperation with the other members of the Metropolitan Synod and in full communion with the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church.”
As a symbol of his blessing, the Patriarch gifted Bishop Nectarie an engolpion, a pectoral cross, and a blessing cross.
Welcoming the New Bishop
Protopresbyter Călin Florea extended a warm welcome to Bishop Nectarie on behalf of the new diocese’s faithful, clergy, and monastics.
The Role of a Bishop
In his address, Metropolitan Iosif reflected on the importance of the bishop’s role in the Church throughout two millennia of Christianity:
“The presence of the bishop in the Church over the past two millennia has made it possible for the heavenly Bread of joy—Christ the Lord Himself—to reach all those seeking union with Him.”
He emphasized that the bishop’s mission includes preaching the Gospel, establishing clergy in communities, nourishing the faithful with Christ, and maintaining the unity of the Church as the mystical Body of Christ.
Bishop Nectarie’s Vision
In his closing remarks, Bishop Nectarie expressed his gratitude to Patriarch Daniel and the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church for entrusting him with this role:
“This new responsibility brings a profound transformation to my life—the pastoral care of a large spiritual family entrusted to me as its shepherd and servant.”
He underlined the Church’s role as a space of hope, light, and communion, pledging to serve with dedication and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Background
The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Ireland and Iceland, headquartered in Dublin, was established by the Holy Synod on February 29, 2024. Along with the Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, it forms part of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe.
Bishop Nectarie Petre was elected the first Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Ireland and Iceland on October 25, 2024.
Photo: OviShoot Media
