His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas rededicated the “Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen” Church in South Saint Paul, Minnesota, on Sunday, marking the church’s 100th anniversary.
The church was also placed under the protection of Saint Stephen the Great, the Holy Prince of Moldavia.
The event continued with the Divine Liturgy, during which His Eminence emphasized the significance of the church consecration.
“The meaning of this consecration is not just about the walls; it’s also about us. It is an invitation to renew our lives in Christ,” he said.
“In Romanian tradition, on this day, all the faithful – men, women, and children – can enter through the Holy Altar to venerate the newly consecrated Holy Table. This is our Christian journey, from outside the church into the church, which we symbolically reenact every Sunday, moving from the door to the altar to receive Holy Communion,” the metropolitan added.
The Metropolitan also reflected on the importance of educating young people and the necessity of Christian education.
“This moment in the life of a community is essential because we don’t rededicate a church every few years. Today, 100 years after the church was founded, I remind you of our responsibility for our children and grandchildren. Our mission relates to this Christian education, which is becoming more and more challenging for them.”
Recognition of Merits
At the end of the service, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae awarded the “Saint Stephen the Great” Order to parish priest Fr. Ioan Poptelecan and to all those who contributed to the restoration of the church.
“The miracle for me was working together with the people of this parish,” the priest said.
“I saw people working together, unpacking the iconostasis, the women cooking, people cleaning the church. It made me understand that God works through people,” added the parish priest.
The centennial celebrations began on Saturday with the Great Vespers service, officiated by His Eminence Nicolae.
His Excellency Andrei Muraru, the Romanian Ambassador to the United States, also attended the service and praised the community’s efforts.
“I came especially for this occasion to be with the Romanians in Minnesota at this celebration. It is one of the oldest Romanian churches in the United States. When the Romanians came to Minnesota at the beginning of the 20th century, they accomplished something remarkable,” noted the Ambassador.
The first consecration of the church took place on September 28, 1924. The initial construction cost of the church was approximately $25,000, of which more than $16,500 came from the donations of the faithful.
Photo: mitropolia.us
