His Eminence Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the Romanian Orthodox parish in Alcalá de Henares, where he stressed that “if all were one, the Gospel of Christ would be fulfilled more easily”.
The Metropolitan’s visit to the Romanian community took place in the context of his participation in the consecration of the Diocesan Cathedral “Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple” in Madrid, celebrated on Saturday.
In his homily, Metropolitan Andrei explained the significance of the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council and spoke about their role in formulating and defending the true faith. He underlined that Christ’s prayer for the unity of believers remains relevant today.
“Not only then were there troubles; there were troubles afterwards as well. If there had been no divisions in the world, today we would all be one. Orthodox, Catholics and Evangelicals — all who believe in Christ should be one. This is how the Lord Jesus Christ prayed to the Father: that all may be one.”
At the end of the service, parish priest Fr Adrian Pintea thanked the Metropolitan for his presence and blessing. In recognition of his administrative and pastoral-missionary activity within the community, Metropolitan Andrei awarded him the Order of “Hieromartyr Liviu Galaction of Cluj” for clergy.
Brief history
The Saint George Romanian Orthodox Parish, located near Madrid, was established in 2001 to meet the spiritual needs of the Romanian Orthodox community in the area.
Before the church was built, services were celebrated for several years in a chapel provided by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Alcalá de Henares.
On 25 May 2008, Bishop Timotei of Spain and Portugal was ordained and enthroned as the first Bishop of Spain and Portugal, on the land designated for the future church in the presence of more than 3,000 faithful.
The parish maintains good cooperation with local authorities and the Roman Catholic Diocese of the region, actively participating in ecumenical dialogue and in the social life of the community.
Photo: Romanian Orthodox Parish in Alcalá de Henares / Ana Cecilia Pintea
