{"id":569043,"date":"2026-04-28T12:14:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T09:14:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/?p=569043"},"modified":"2026-04-28T12:14:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T09:14:13","slug":"archbishop-irineu-first-priests-wives-gathering-alba-iulia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basilica.ro\/en\/archbishop-irineu-first-priests-wives-gathering-alba-iulia\/","title":{"rendered":"Archbishop Irineu blesses first gathering of priests\u2019 wives group in Alba Iulia Archdiocese"},"content":{"rendered":"

His Eminence Archbishop Irineu of Alba Iulia blessed on Sunday the first gathering of the priests\u2019 wives group in the Archdiocese of Alba Iulia, describing the new initiative as a call to communion, service and responsibility in the Church\u2019s mission.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe priests\u2019 wives group Saint Philotimia of R\u00e2me\u021b, recently established in the Archdiocese of Alba Iulia, is a calling to communion, ministry and responsibility in the work of the Church. Alongside our priests, the priests\u2019 wives are engaged in parish mission and in the life of the community, constantly offering support to those in need,\u201d Archbishop Irineu said<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cIn today\u2019s society, there is a great need for faithful women and mothers who, through their own example, strengthen the institution of the Christian family, which is under assault from the ideologies of the epoch. We desire that the priest, his wife and their children may constitute a living witness of love and sacrifice, inspiring new generations to embrace family life in a Christian spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The meeting of the Priests’ Wives Group “St Philotimia” of the Archdiocese of Alba Iulia was preceded by the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Archbishop Irineu at “Christ Pantocrator” Monastery in Alba Iulia. Photo: Radio Re\u00eentregirea \/ Deacon \u0218tefan Bretoiu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The message was delivered during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by the hierarch at Christ Pantocrator Monastery.<\/p>\n

Inspiration from the Holy Romanian Women<\/h2>\n

His Eminence highlighted the virtues of the newly canonised Holy Romanian Women, especially as this year, on the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, the Romanian Orthodox Church observed for the first time the Synaxis of the Holy Romanian Women.<\/p>\n

The liturgical responses were offered by the choir of the Saint Philotimia priests\u2019 wives group, directed by Presbytera Ileana Cioara from Cetea parish in the Alba Iulia deanery.<\/p>\n

The first meeting<\/a> of the Saint Philotimia of R\u00e2me\u021b group continued in the afternoon at the Peregrinus Church Centre in Alba Iulia under the title: \u201cThe Priest\u2019s Wife in the Footsteps of the Myrrh-Bearing Women: Faith, Courage and Self-Giving.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spiritual Lecture and Formation Workshops<\/h2>\n
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The works included a spiritual lecture and personal development workshops. Photo: Radio Re\u00eentregirea \/ Deacon \u0218tefan Bretoiu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Presbytera Irina M\u00e2nc\u0103 of Ia\u0219i, representing the international priests\u2019 wives group Saint Nona International Priests\u2019 Wives Group, delivered a lecture titled \u201cOn the Forgotten Beauty of Life: The Joy of \u2018Being\u2019 and \u2018Giving\u2019 in the Communion of Priests\u2019 Wives.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was followed by a workshop entitled \u201c\u2018Who Will Roll Away the Stone for Us?\u2019 On the Trials and Joys of Life as a Priest\u2019s Wife,\u201d led by Presbytera Laura Cr\u0103ciun of Ia\u0219i, aimed at transforming life\u2019s challenges into opportunities.<\/p>\n

A second workshop, \u201c\u2018Why Do You Seek the Living Among the Dead?\u2019 On Congruence and Discernment on the Way,\u201d was led by Presbytera Dumitrina Gazzi of Ia\u0219i. Participants were invited to take part in an exercise focused on awareness of personal relationships.<\/p>\n

At the close of the event, Presbytera Oana Andone of Abu\u0219 parish in the T\u00e2rn\u0103veni deanery offered a musical and artistic programme.<\/p>\n

About the New Priests\u2019 Wives Group<\/h2>\n

The gathering was organised by the Archdiocese of Alba Iulia in cooperation with Radio Re\u00eentregirea, the Peregrinus Church Centre, and the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of Alba Iulia, with the involvement of several parishes in Alba and Mure\u0219 counties.<\/p>\n

The priests\u2019 wives group in the archdiocese was established at the beginning of 2026 with the blessing and pastoral care of Archbishop Irineu.<\/p>\n

The group has been placed under the protection of Saint Philotimia of R\u00e2me\u021b, presented as a perfect image of a woman rooted in spiritual life. Its purpose is to guide the inner transformation and mission of priests\u2019 wives throughout the diocese.<\/p>\n