His Eminence Archbishop Irineu of Alba Iulia blessed on Sunday the first gathering of the priests’ wives group in the Archdiocese of Alba Iulia, describing the new initiative as a call to communion, service and responsibility in the Church’s mission.
“The priests’ wives group Saint Philotimia of Râmeț, recently established in the Archdiocese of Alba Iulia, is a calling to communion, ministry and responsibility in the work of the Church. Alongside our priests, the priests’ wives are engaged in parish mission and in the life of the community, constantly offering support to those in need,” Archbishop Irineu said.
“In today’s society, there is a great need for faithful women and mothers who, through their own example, strengthen the institution of the Christian family, which is under assault from the ideologies of the epoch. We desire that the priest, his wife and their children may constitute a living witness of love and sacrifice, inspiring new generations to embrace family life in a Christian spirit.”
The message was delivered during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by the hierarch at Christ Pantocrator Monastery.
Inspiration from the Holy Romanian Women
His Eminence highlighted the virtues of the newly canonised Holy Romanian Women, especially as this year, on the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, the Romanian Orthodox Church observed for the first time the Synaxis of the Holy Romanian Women.
The liturgical responses were offered by the choir of the Saint Philotimia priests’ wives group, directed by Presbytera Ileana Cioara from Cetea parish in the Alba Iulia deanery.
The first meeting of the Saint Philotimia of Râmeț group continued in the afternoon at the Peregrinus Church Centre in Alba Iulia under the title: “The Priest’s Wife in the Footsteps of the Myrrh-Bearing Women: Faith, Courage and Self-Giving.”
Spiritual Lecture and Formation Workshops
Presbytera Irina Mâncă of Iași, representing the international priests’ wives group Saint Nona International Priests’ Wives Group, delivered a lecture titled “On the Forgotten Beauty of Life: The Joy of ‘Being’ and ‘Giving’ in the Communion of Priests’ Wives.”
It was followed by a workshop entitled “‘Who Will Roll Away the Stone for Us?’ On the Trials and Joys of Life as a Priest’s Wife,” led by Presbytera Laura Crăciun of Iași, aimed at transforming life’s challenges into opportunities.
A second workshop, “‘Why Do You Seek the Living Among the Dead?’ On Congruence and Discernment on the Way,” was led by Presbytera Dumitrina Gazzi of Iași. Participants were invited to take part in an exercise focused on awareness of personal relationships.
At the close of the event, Presbytera Oana Andone of Abuș parish in the Târnăveni deanery offered a musical and artistic programme.
About the New Priests’ Wives Group
The gathering was organised by the Archdiocese of Alba Iulia in cooperation with Radio Reîntregirea, the Peregrinus Church Centre, and the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of Alba Iulia, with the involvement of several parishes in Alba and Mureș counties.
The priests’ wives group in the archdiocese was established at the beginning of 2026 with the blessing and pastoral care of Archbishop Irineu.
The group has been placed under the protection of Saint Philotimia of Râmeț, presented as a perfect image of a woman rooted in spiritual life. Its purpose is to guide the inner transformation and mission of priests’ wives throughout the diocese.
Photo: Radio Reîntregirea / Deacon Ștefan Bretoiu
