In 2024, the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate in Romania carried out a series of cultural, catechetical, and philanthropic activities, including traditional choral concerts, a symposium on Ukrainian saints in Romania, and increased catechetical programs for youth and adults.
Cultural and Educational Activities
The vicariate hosted several notable concerts, including:
- The 8th edition of the Passion Hymns Concert, dedicated to the Lord’s Passion.
- The Christmas Carols Concert organized by the Lugoj Deanery.
- The 13th edition of the Christmas Carols Concert organized by the Sighetu Marmației Deanery.
A key event of the year was the Symposium “Traces of Ukrainian Saints in Romania”, commemorating Saint Alexis Kabaliuk and his disciples, who were imprisoned by the Austro-Hungarian authorities in Sighet Prison. The event also marked 230 years since the repose of Saint Paisius Velichkovsky of Neamț, the patron saint of the Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate.
Regular catechetical projects also continued, such as the Sunday School in Sighetu Marmației and the Saint John Chrysostom Biblical Study Center in Lugoj, both of which expanded their educational reach.
Clergy also engaged more actively in school programs like “Green Week” and “Alternative Education Week”, increasing the number of educational initiatives.
Other catechetical activities included:
- The 3rd edition of the “Orthodox Joy Camp” at Pereu Monastery, in collaboration with parishes from the Metropolis of Banat.
- The first edition of the “Orthodox Joy Camp for Adults”.
New Partnerships
In 2024, the vicariate established new partnerships with institutions such as:
- The Memorial of the Victims of Communism in Sighet;
- Taras Shevchenko High School and Forestry Technical High School in Sighetu Marmației;
- TV Sighet, along with several Ukrainian cultural associations and the Embassy of Ukraine in Romania.
Editorial Contributions
On the editorial front, the vicariate published the liturgical book “The Order of the Funeral Service”, aiming to standardize the use of the Ukrainian language in parishes.
Additionally, it printed texts of the Divine Liturgies, Vespers, and Matins in Ukrainian, supporting the preservation of ethnic identity among Ukrainians in Romania.
Philanthropic Work and Financial Aid
The Ukrainian Orthodox Vicariate also carried out extensive humanitarian efforts, offering aid to disaster victims in Galați County, Ukrainian refugees, and vulnerable families.
- €11,970 (59,837 RON) was donated to the Archdiocese of the Lower Danube.
- €9,670 (48,338 RON) was collected through the “Christmas Donation Drive for the Needy”.
- €30,600 (152,975 RON) was the total amount of humanitarian aid provided, with contributions from the Dobrotoliubie Association and the Lugoj Biblical Study Center.
- €6,130 (30,640 RON) was raised to support the ongoing construction of the National Cathedral.
Additionally, the Saint Paisius Velichkovsky Social-Cultural Center was blessed, marking another milestone in the vicariate’s commitment to community support.
Photo: Metropolis of Banat
