Ciprian Olinici, Romania’s State Secretary for Religious Affairs, visited the Romanian Orthodox Church of Saint Stephen the Great in Vienna on Tuesday.
The official viewed the church’s frescoes and learned more about the parish community’s educational and pastoral activities.
Frescoes Inspired by Romania’s Bukovina Churches
The frescoes, inspired by the painting tradition of the Bukovina churches listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, are being executed through a project supported in part by Romania’s State Secretariat for Religious Affairs.
Fr Emanuel Nuțu, the parish priest, originally from Gura Humorului, underscored the artistic value of the iconographic programme and its role in strengthening the community’s spiritual and cultural identity.
During the visit, the Romanian official spoke with Carmen Șereș, who presented the educational activities carried out through the parish school, and with Mircea Șereș, who is involved in the parish’s financial administration, who stressed the need to attract additional external resources to continue the ongoing works.
Mr Olinici praised the professionalism of the iconographers and the community’s commitment to the fresco project, highlighting its exceptional quality. He also congratulated the parish for its sustained efforts and reaffirmed institutional support, expressing willingness to continue backing the parish’s initiatives.
Gratitude for Continued Support
Fr Emanuel Nuțu expressed gratitude to the Romanian state, which, through the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs and the Department for Romanians Everywhere, has supported the Romanian community in Vienna in sustaining the construction and fresco painting of the new church.
The visit forms part of broader cooperation between Romanian state authorities and religious communities in the diaspora, contributing to stronger dialogue and mutual support, the parish priest said in a message published on the parish’s Facebook page.
Photo: Facebook / St Stephen the Great church in Vienna
