The Romanian Orthodox community in Ringkøbing-Skjern, western Denmark, now has its own church after the place of worship was consecrated on July 11 by Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe.
His Grace spoke about the journey the community undertook to acquire and restore the church:
“We give glory to the all-merciful God for granting us the privilege of consecrating the altar of this holy church, which we purchased from the Lutheran community and restored after it had fallen into an advanced state of disrepair.”
“I remember coming here a few years ago, when I first saw this church. It had been abandoned and was almost in ruins. I came together with the parish priest and a few parishioners, and first of all, we prayed that the Lord would enlighten the owners to sell us this church, which had been left deserted. God enlightened them, and we were able to acquire it,” the bishop said.
Bishop Macarie also highlighted the entire community’s involvement in restoring the church.
“Together with all of you, we offered our gifts and succeeded in bringing it to the beauty it has today. We now pray that we may adorn it even more beautifully and that it may one day be clothed in the garment of iconography.”
“A wonderful moment”
Fr Florin-Gheorghe Atudorei, the parish priest, thanked everyone who had supported the project. “Today has been a wonderful moment for our Romanian community with the consecration of our church.”
“We are especially grateful to our Bishop Macarie for his direct spiritual and financial support, and to the Department for Romanians Everywhere, which greatly assisted us with funding from Romania, enabling us to continue beautifying our church,” the priest told Trinitas TV.
The community’s joy was further enriched by the Baptism of three children from Romanian families living in Jutland. The sacrament was celebrated by Bishop Macarie after the Divine Liturgy.
A 141-year-old church
The Romanian Orthodox Parish of Ringkøbing-Skjern was established in 2022, and in 2024, the community purchased its current church from the local Lutheran congregation.
The church was built in 1885. Before becoming an Orthodox church, it underwent extensive restoration and adaptation for Orthodox worship, supported by Romania’s Department for Romanians Everywhere, the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe and the parish’s faithful.
The church is dedicated to the Wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God “The Nursing Mother” of Țibleș, the Synaxis of Saint Macarius, St Irodion of Lainici, and St Theodgar the Confessor of Vestervig, Enlightener of Jutland.
Photo: Facebook / Diocese of Northern Europe
