Romanian Orthodox Diocese Inaugurates New Cathedral in Ireland
Bishop Nectarie blesses Christ Church, marking a new chapter for Romanian faithful in Ireland and Iceland.
DUBLIN — Bishop Nectarie of Ireland and Iceland consecrated the new Diocesan Cathedral on Saturday, Sept. 13, during a blessing service at Christ Church in Leeson Park, according to reporting from Basilica News Agency. The historic Anglican church, home to the Romanian Orthodox parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross since 2005, was purchased earlier this year with support from the Department for Romanians Abroad and hundreds of donors.
The reopening ceremony included the service of the Lesser Blessing of Water, during which Bishop Nectarie highlighted God’s providence and quoted Romanian theologian Fr. Constantin Galeriu: “Nothing is accidental, but everything is providential.”
The first Divine Liturgy at the cathedral was celebrated on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, drawing hundreds of faithful along with Romanian Embassy representatives. During the service, theologian Cristian Pasere, president of the Nepsis Youth Association of Ireland and conductor of the diocesan choir, was ordained a deacon.
Bishop Nectarie expressed gratitude to all who contributed to acquiring the church, affirming it will serve as “a place of prayer, unity, and mission” for the Romanian Orthodox community in Ireland and Iceland.
Previously, UOJ reported that the Romanian Orthodox community in Ireland’s capital city is urgently raising funds to purchase a 19th-century Anglican church.
