His Grace Bishop Nectarie, the Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Ireland and Iceland, conducted his first pastoral visit to Iceland on March 8-9, 2025.
The Reykjavik Parish organized the event in collaboration with România Nordică, the most prominent association of Romanians on the island.
Meeting with the Romanian Community
On Saturday, Bishop Nectarie met with members of the Romanian community and held discussions with Johann Ioan Constantin Solomon, Romania’s Honorary Consul in Reykjavik.
The talks focused on the main issues affecting the Romanian community, which officially numbers over 5,000 people. The absence of a Romanian embassy or consulate in Iceland remains a significant concern.
The Light of Christ in the Land of the Northern Lights
On the Sunday of Orthodoxy, when the Church commemorates the 40 Holy Martyrs and honors political prisoners of the communist era, Bishop Nectarie celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Romanian Orthodox church in Reykjavik, alongside missionary priest Ioan-Florin Florescu.
In his sermon, the bishop emphasized the importance of cultivating “spiritual vision” and the eternal values of the Gospel. He thanked the faithful for maintaining their vibrant faith in the “Land of Ice and Fire,” as Iceland is commonly known.
The congregation welcomed the proposal for the Reykjavik Parish to bear the patronage of the “Resurrection of the Lord,” a fitting dedication in a country renowned for its celebration of the Northern Lights. Coincidentally, on the night from Saturday to Sunday, the Icelandic sky was illuminated for several minutes by a spectacular aurora borealis, reported diocesan representatives.
The Romanian Community in Iceland
Father Ioan-Florin Florescu recalled the Romanian bishops who have served in Iceland over the years, including Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe, Bishop Ignatie of Huși, and Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe, under whose blessing the parish was established.
On behalf of the community, the parish priest expressed gratitude to Bishop Nectarie for his service and pastoral care. He also extended special thanks to Marius Bora, a member of the Diocesan Assembly and president of România Nordică (Northern Romania) Association, whose efforts support the activities of the Romanian Orthodox parish in Iceland.
Photo: Facebook / Diocese of Ireland and Iceland
