Joys from the Romanian heart – 1st meeting

Romanians in the diaspora received with great joy and gratitude the initiative of PF Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, who dedicated 2021as the “The Year of Honage to the Pastoral Care of Romanians Outside Romania”. It is a great comfort to all of us to know that the Orthodox Church devotes a whole year to caring for those far away from their homeland. A newt event organized this year is the project “The Church – the Family of Romanians Everywhere”, which aims to contribute to creating links or twinning between communities in Romania with those in the diaspora. 

True twinning can only be achieved in the Church, where Christ is present and working, which is why twinning takes place between two parish communities. Our parish, “The Meeting of our Lord” in Glasgow, received with great joy the request for twinning from the parish of the Holy Archangels Church in Brăila, Romania. With warm enthusiasm, we all decided to meet on Zoom to get to know each other better, with each parish preparing several surprises for their new friends from across the ocean. Fr. Victor Tugui, the parish priest as the Holy Archangels parish spoke these beatiful words at opening of our meeting: “First of all, I want to confess to you my joy that you accepted not to be brothers, because we are already brothers, but to live closer brotherhood, everything we have in common, Christ”. 

All three meetings, although virtual, brought a much joy and warmth to the souls of the participants. Children and parents dressed in folk costumes, Romanian flags waving during the meetings and messages of love shared by children convey only a little of the atmosphere of joy and celebration in which we all took part. The two parish communities were joined by the ministering priests from the two parishes: Fr. Victor Țugui, parish priest of the “Holy Archangels” Church in Brăila, Fr. Mihai Duca, co-servant priest at this church, Fr. George Bliorțu, parish priest of the “Meeting of Our Lord” Church in Glasgow and missionary archpriest of Scotland, Fr. Marcel Oprisan (founder of the parish in Glasgow), Fr. Deacon Ioan Ross (Glasgow parish), Fr. Seraphim (Abbot of All Celtic Saints Abbey on the Isle of Mull) and Fr. Mark Mitchell, the parish priest of the Greek Church in Glasgow and friend of the Romanian parish in Glasgow. 

The project was eagerly awaited by the Glasgow community: “we can’t wait to be part of a beautiful and heartfelt project! Even with restrictions, we can adapt and reinvent!” (Georgiana Amaicei, Glasgow) “may God help (Doamne ajuta)! I can’t wait to meet new people.” (Nicoleta Iosif, Glasgow). The same feelings were shared by Fr. Victor Tugui, who, speaking on behalf of the community of St. Archangels, said: “We started from the desire to know you, to ask you to share your experience, because true confession is indeed required there. It is in that we are best understood and best seen, when one confesses Christ. It is there that one sees how the talents that the Saviour has given us can bear fruit.” 

The Brailean community asked us to share with them how we preserve the family, its identity, how we confess it in front of others, what it means to be Romanian, what it means to be Orthodox, how Orthodoxy manifests itself in the diaspora, how outsiders see us as Orthodox Christians. So, for the first meeting, we decided that we in Glasgow would introduce ourselves and journey together through time to better understand who we are today. 

And so, began a beautiful journey of two hours that passed as if it were 10 minutes, as those present testified. We remembered the beginnings of the parish, the joy we felt to have found an “oasis of hope” (Mihaela Podaru, Glasgow), the parish servants, its members and guests, our activities and especially the children of the parish who participated in so many beautiful events over time. Also, Mrs. Simona Hapca shared with those present a great achievement of the Romanian community in Dundee in which those in Glasgow were part: the purchase of the first Orthodox church in Scotland. In talking about our presence here, we have always remembered our homeland as well. That place where our loved ones, our ancestors, our grandparents, relatives, even our parents are. The longing can be very great when you are away from your homeland. Longing can sometimes mean pain, it means realizing that you lack something, that you lack closeness to your roots. 

We can say that this project was for us an extraordinary opportunity to find ourselves as a community in a very difficult period. This reflection and incursion into the past of the parish helped us to better understand our present, our presence in these lands and at the same time to look with confidence to the future. And we all agreed with Andrea Ross, that indeed, “what a great blessing it is to be part of such a beautiful church, with such beautiful people!” 

Fr. Marcel, who watched with tears in his eyes the whole presentation with Preoteasa Maria, confessed to us that it was a great privilege to have contributed to the establishment of this parish and that he carries in his soul and prayers all those in the community. Also, PS Ignatie, witness of our many pains and joys in these lands, told us after watching our meeting: “Wonderful!! How beautiful! I remember them all. It was very beautiful, you welcomed us with such great warmth!” (PS Ignatie) 

The positive impression of the participants in this first meeting confirmed this and made us, once again, glad that we had the opportunity to participate in this project. 

“Great! Although I am among the last to come to this community, I experienced a lot of pleasant emotions, thank you!” (Ana Maria Moldovan, Glasgow) 

Wonderful! I felt at home again, with loved ones! The longing for our church in Glasgow is growing! I cry every Sunday when we should be there!” (Nicoleta Iosif, Glasgow) 

“Thank you, such a beautiful Sunday, even like home, I can’t wait for the coming Sunday. Wonderful! You have made a nice gift to all of us in the community with this meeting! (Andrea Ross, Glasgow) 

“Thank you very much! It was impressive! I ended up with red eyes from crying!! (Mihaela Podaru, Glasgow) 

“Very beautiful and very touching!” (Raluca Berhiu, Glasgow) 

“Thank you so much!! It was so beautiful, what a wonderful family we all are in the Church!! (presb. Anna Bliorțu) 

May God help (Doamne ajuta)! Congratulations on yesterday evening’s event! Authentic and pleasantly presented! The whole activity was special. Thank you for everything! (Almășan Daniela, Brăila) 

“It was wonderful, like from soul to soul! Thank you for this meeting full of sensitivity and love! Thank you, Fathers! (Mirela Spatarescu, Brăila) 

“It was emotional !! Congratulations on the effort and dedication with which you do everything. I thank God that through you. I am happy to be part of this project which is so close to my heart!!” (Cătălina Pațelea, Brăila) 

All those present lived extraordinary moments and the participants were sad to part at the conclusion of the meeting. We all prayed that the thread of communication that opened at our first meeting would never close. Fr. George thanked “everyone who, through your effort and love. you have made the joy of living in Christ shine in as many hearts as possible. May the Lord remember you!” Fr. Victor confessed at the end of the meeting on behalf of those present: “We did not expect to see that there is such a mission, such an apostolate. I would like to be part of this parish, we have a lot to learn from you.” The meeting ended with a prayer of thanksgiving to the Mother of God who helped us meet such wonderful people!