New Romanian Orthodox Church Consecrated in Canada’s Capital

St. Nicholas Romanian Orthodox Church [Credit: The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America]

ONTARIO —The Romanian Orthodox community of Ottawa celebrated a momentous and spiritually uplifting occasion with the consecration of their new church, dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, from June 13–15, 2025. The three-day event drew over four hundred faithful and approximately thirty clergy from across Canada and the United States.

At the fraternal invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (OCA), His Grace Bishop Theophan of Philomelion (Constantinople) traveled to Ottawa to participate in the celebration alongside His Grace Bishop Andrei of Cleveland.

Festivities began Friday evening, June 13, with Great Vespers served by Bishop Andrei. The following morning, the solemn service of consecration was jointly celebrated by Archbishop Nathaniel, Bishop Theophan, and Bishop Andrei. The Divine Liturgy followed on the newly consecrated altar, during which Deacon Alexei Leahu was ordained to the Holy Priesthood and assigned to the Parish of the Holy Prophet Elijah in Anjou, Quebec.

Archbishop Nathaniel awarded the Episcopal Gramata to parish priest Rev. Fr. Daniel Banu, his family, parish president Mr. Liviu Pene, and the faithful of the parish, honoring their sacrificial labor and dedication in constructing the new church.

His Excellency Mr. Bogdan Mănoiu, Ambassador of Romania to Canada, was also present, adding a diplomatic note of support to the joyous milestone.

On Sunday, June 15—celebrated as the Sunday of All Saints—the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy concluded the weekend. The blessing of the newly installed Wayside Cross (Troiță) outside the church marked the formal conclusion of the historic and grace-filled event for the Romanian Orthodox faithful in Canada’s capital.

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