Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church has approved the appointment of new leaders for the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in Romania. These leaders will continue existing projects and launch new initiatives to preserve the faith and ethnic identity of Ukrainians living in the country.
Father Marius-Nicolae Lauruc, parish priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox community in Sighetu Marmației, Maramureș County, was appointed Vicar General. He was previously serving as an adviser within the vicariate.
The new leadership also includes Father Ioan Iurcea, adviser; Father Petru Rahovan, dean of the Ukrainian Orthodox Deanery of Sighetu Marmației; and Father Petru Rosoca, dean of the Ukrainian Orthodox Deanery of Lugoj.
The former Vicar General, Father Nicolae Lauruc, who has held the position since 2021, was commended for his outstanding pastoral and administrative service.
Educated in theology at Sibiu and Prešov, Father Nicolae Lauruc served as parish priest in Ukrainian communities in Poienile de sub Munte and Sighetu Marmației. Over the years, he oversaw church construction and restoration projects. He also organised symposia and cultural festivals, providing aid to Ukrainian refugees.
He is also the author of several theological works and has edited Ukrainian-language liturgical books. Thus, making significant contributions to preserving the spiritual and ethnic identity of his community.
For his service, he has received several distinctions, including the Cross of Transylvania, the Archbishop Justinian Cross, and the title of Honorary Citizen of both Poienile de sub Munte and Sighetu Marmației.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in Romania
The Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate is a territorial-administrative structure under the canonical jurisdiction of the Romanian Patriarchate. It serves Orthodox Ukrainians residing in Romania. Its liturgical services are conducted in the Ukrainian language by Ukrainian or Ukrainian-speaking priests.
Headquartered in Sighetu Marmației, Maramureș County, the Vicariate currently ministers to approximately 30,000 Ukrainian Orthodox faithful across northern Romania. These include the regions of Maramureș, Transylvania, Crișana, and Banat.
Re-established after the fall of communism by decision of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church (Decision No. 1432 of February 12, 1990), the Vicariate marks 35 years of continuous activity this year.
Photo: Facebook/ Marius N. Lauruc
