On Sunday, Bishop Siluan of Hungary officiated a special service at the Romanian Orthodox Parish in Gyula, Hungary, marking the feast of Saint Paraskeva and the 160th anniversary of the church’s consecration.
The event gathered many faithful from Gyula and surrounding parishes, as well as several local dignitaries.
Among the attendees were Daniel Banu, the Consul General of Romania in Giula, and Gheorghe Cozma, President of the National Self-Government of Romanians in Hungary.
In his sermon, Bishop Siluan highlighted the deep spiritual connection between Saint Paraskeva and the Romanian people, stating that she has been the protectress of Moldavia and Bukovina for nearly four centuries.
He further emphasized that Saint Paraskeva has also served as a “burning candle” in the hearts of the Romanian faithful in Gyula, a small Romanian enclave, who, starting in 1834, sought permission from local authorities to establish their own parish and dedicate their church to her.
The original modest clay church was later replaced by a larger stone building and consecrated on the feast of Saint Paraskeva on October 14, 1864, by Bishop Procopie Ivașcovici of Arad.
To honour the occasion, Bishop Siluan presented Commemorative Diplomas to the former and current parish priests, the Consuls General of Gyula and Szeged, the President of the National Self-Government of Romanians in Hungary, the Director of the Romanian High School in Gyula, teacher Eva Sabău, Director Delia Covaci, and the former cantor of the church.
Students from the Romanian School in Gyula also performed to celebrate the anniversary, adding to the day’s festive atmosphere.
Photo: Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Hungary
