His Grace Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland marked on Sunday one year since his enthronement as head of the diocese, an occasion that highlighted the expansion of Romanian Orthodox church life in Ireland.
The Bishop of Ireland and Iceland celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Parish of “Saint Columba and the Holy Great Martyr George” in Blanchardstown, Dublin, the church where the solemn enthronement service took place a year earlier. Following the Divine Liturgy, a Te Deum service was offered in thanksgiving to God for the first year of pastoral ministry.
Parish priest Raul Simion delivered an anniversary address on behalf of the clergy and faithful, stressing that the first year of episcopal ministry had been “a year of blessed beginnings and of intense pastoral and missionary activity”, marked by the bishop’s constant presence among Romanian communities.
During this period, new Romanian Orthodox parishes and missions were established in Ireland, in Monastervin, Navan, Balbriggan and Kilkenny. At the same time, the number of clergy serving in the diocese increased significantly, strengthening pastoral activity.
A key moment in the life of the diocese was the acquisition of Christ Church in Lesson Park, Dublin, which has become the eparchial Cathedral of the Diocese of Ireland and Iceland.
The event was also attended by Romania’s Ambassador to Ireland, Laurențiu Ștefan, who conveyed wishes of health and strength to Bishop Nectarie, highlighting the role of the Romanian Orthodox Church in preserving the language, faith and traditions of Romanians in the diaspora, as well as the good cooperation between the embassy and the diocese.
Photo: Facebook / Diocese of Ireland and Iceland
