Seven hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church concelebrated at the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral in Slobozia, in southern Romania, to mark the 30th anniversary of the Diocese of Slobozia and Calarasi.
The diocese was the first to be established after the 1989 Revolution, culminating in the fall of communist rule in Romania.
The weekend began with the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Ascension Cathedral in Slobozia on Saturday morning, followed by a memorial service officiated by the local hierarch Bishop Vincențiu for the founders and benefactors of the diocese, including Patriarch Teoctist of blessed memory, who was primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church 30 years ago, the diocese reports.
Sunday morning, Archbishop Casian of Lower Danube presided over the festive Divine Liturgy. Concelebrants included Bishops Vincentiu of Slobozia and Calarasi, Andrei of Covasna and Harghita, Galaction of Alexandria and Teleorman, Visarion of Tulcea, Nestor of Deva and Hunedoara, and the patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiesti.
His Eminence Archbishop Casian of Lower Danube spoke in his sermon about the miraculous catch of fish, the calling of the Disciples, the humility of St. Peter, and the calling of the four brothers to become fishers of men.
At the end of his sermon, he presented Bishop Vincențiu with an icon of the Lord Jesus Christ on behalf of the present hierarchs.
A three-volume album dedicated to the diocese’s 30th anniversary was also presented.
“These genuine written testimonies about the ecclesiastical life in the Bărăgan region support the idea that the benevolent God, through the hierarchs, priests, and venerable Christians from Ialomița and Călărași, has watched over us with the care of a Father Who loves His children and accompanies them at every step,” the diocese noted.
Photography courtesy of the Diocese of Slobozia and Călărași
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