Romanian Parish Marks Pastoral Transition After 36 Years
After 36 years of ministry, a longtime Iași priest handed over his parish during a Liturgy focused on charity and spiritual renewal.
IAȘI, ROMANIA — At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of the Last Judgment, Vicar Bp. Nichifor Botoșaneanul of the Archdiocese of Iași joined clergy and faithful in marking the pastoral transition of a long-serving parish priest.
Following the Liturgy, Fr. Mircea Stoleriu reflected on 36 years of ministry, recalling that he began with “an empty field” and leaves behind a completed church built through the generosity of the faithful and, as he emphasized, with God’s help. He spoke of serving with an awareness of accountability before Christ and striving for a peaceful Christian end.
In his homily, Bp. Nichifor interpreted the Gospel as a call to live with both vigilance and hope, urging believers to widen their hearts in love and charity. He underscored prayer for the departed and the transformative power of kind words and good deeds.
Fr. Ionuț Ungureanu has now assumed the role of parish priest at the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church in Galata.
Previously, the UOJ reported that the head of St. George is to be brought to the Pantocrator Monastery in Romania.
