The Assembly of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Spain and Portugal convened on Tuesday at the Diocesan Center in Madrid, where activity reports for the year 2024 were presented.
The event began with the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by His Grace Bishop Timotei of Spain and Portugal, followed by a Te Deum service conducted by His Grace Assistant Bishop Teofil of Iberia.
Aid for Flood Victims in Spain and Romania
Bishop Timotei then presided over the meeting, announcing key figures illustrating last year’s diocesan activities. The most significant was the amount of social aid provided: €147,000.
More than a third of these funds, €54,000, went to the victims of the floods in Valencia.
Additionally, over €31,000 was directed to Romanians affected by floods in September, and €17,700 was allocated to support refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia.
More than 22.5 tons of food were also distributed through the Social-Philanthropic Department of the diocese.
Thousands of Baptisms and Hundreds of Weddings
Last year, the diocese officiated 2,756 baptisms, 606 weddings, and 294 funerals; 32 individuals were received into Orthodoxy, and another 14 returned to the faith.
In terms of missionary-pastoral activities, over 60% of the parishes organized activities for children and youth through parish schools, Orthodox spirituality camps, and activities of the Nepsis España Association.
Cultural Activities
The Cultural Sector organized conferences in line with the themes of the 2024 Solemn Year, which the Romanian Patriarchate declared as the Solemn Year of Pastoral Care and Assistance for the Sick and the Commemorative Year of All Holy Unmercenary Healers.
Editorial publications, collaborations with state cultural institutions, and an active social media presence were also reported, promoting the diocese’s activities.
The Importance of Each Community Member
After the activity reports were presented, Bishop Teofil delivered a spiritual meditation emphasizing the importance of each believer’s role in the Church, drawing from St. Paul’s assertion: “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Romans 12:5).
In conclusion, Bishop Timotei thanked his Assistant Bishop Teofil of Iberia, the advisory priests, the priests and their wives, the faithful, and representatives from the Department for Romanians Abroad for their activity and support.
By the end of 2024, the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Spain and Portugal comprised 146 parishes, served by 173 priests and 13 deacons.
Photo: Diocese of Spain and Portugal