While Orthodox Christians everywhere love the Mother of God and turn to her in prayer in times of need, one Romania town is taking this relationship to a new level.
Negrești Oaș is located in northwestern Romania, near the Ukrainian border. It is the capital of the Oaș Country ethnographic region, and as of Sunday, it is officially under the Heavenly protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, as declared by His Grace Bishop Timotei of Maramureș and Sătmar.
Binecuvântarea icoanei Maicii Domnului – ocrotitoarea orașului Negrești Oaș. Foto credit: Episcopia Maramureșului și Sătmarului/ FacebookThe decision to proclaim the Mother of God the patron of Negrești Oaș was taken at the session of the Permanent Diocesan Council on December 5.
The proclamation took place in the Cathedral of All Saints, with the document being read out by Fr. Cristian Ştefan, the diocesan councilor. Before the proclamation, His Grace blessed an icon of the Mother of God with the Oaș cathedral, the Archangels Gabriel and Michael, and the Holy Cross, especially commissioned for the event.
The icon will be honored at city hall and in schools and social and public establishments.
Translated by Orthochristian
Photo courtesy of Diocese of Maramureș and Sătmar/ Facebook
