Romanian Orphanage Gifts Iron Cross to Maryland Parish

Photo: orthodoxchesapeake.org

DENTON, MD — Holy Archangels Orthodox Church has received a hand-forged, four-foot iron cross for its roof, gifted by the Pro Vita orphanage in Romania in recognition of the parish’s long-standing support for the ministry.

The church, which officially opened in 2024 as Caroline County’s first Orthodox Christian parish, has been connected to Pro Vita for over fifteen years. Fr. Robert Miclean has led mission trips for young adults and college students to the Romanian orphanage since 2011, drawing participants from his ministry to midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy and students at St. John’s College in Annapolis.

Pro Vita, founded in 1994 by Fr. Nicolae Tănase and his wife Maria in Valea Plopului, Romania, houses over 300 children and families in need. Its mission emphasizes protecting life and supporting families, with recent relief efforts including Ukrainian orphans evacuated from Odessa. The gift of the cross honors Holy Archangels’ participation in this ministry to “the least of these,” as reflected in Matthew 25.

Donations to the Pro Vita orphanage can be made here. 

Previously, the UOJ reported that relics of a recently canonized saint were gifted to a Macedonian Orthodox parish in Chicago.

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