The 25th anniversary of the Romanian Orthodox Church dedicated to the Holy and Great Martyr George and Saint Dimitrios the New from Las Vegas, NV was a special opportunity to receive the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop and Metropolitan Nicolae who honored us with his presence for the second time this year.
The head of the Romanian Orthodox Church of the Americas was welcomed on Saturday, October 30, 2021, according to the ancestral tradition, with bread and salt. The meeting of the members of the Parish Council followed in the social hall of the Church, where situations were presented and solutions were pointed out, especially in regard to the increase of the number of members within the Orthodox Christian community in Las Vegas. Referring to the problems generated by the pandemic, HE Nicolae encouraged toward a personal pastoral care.
At the meeting and at the sermon at the end of the Divine Liturgy, HE Nicolae pointed out the rule of the three “T” s under the aegis of which any community of Christians should function. These are the Talent, Time, and Talent by which we prepare our souls for the Kingdom of Heaven. Thus, Metropolitan Nicolae urges us to give of our Time to the Church community, to return the Talent that the Most High has given us to the parish, through a more devoted involvement in the activities carried out in the church. Also, the Talent, referring here to the monetary gift through donations, would help a lot in the good completion and development of the parish mission.
The Divine Liturgy of the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost was celebrated by HE Metropolitan Nicolae together with the Parish Priest, V. Rev. Fr. Mihai Bălan. In the sermon, His Eminence interpreted the Gospel of the day, Luke 16, 19-31, which raises questions and challenges about life after death! Our passage here has a meaning, and eternity after death is not a story of the Holy Scriptures or the Church, but a reality. We must fulfill God’s Word on earth in order to earn our eternity. Mercy for the needy is another criterion by which we will be judged and is reflected in the parable of this Sunday’s gospel, the parable of the Rich Man and Poor Lazarus.
On the 25th anniversary of the founding of the parish, HE Metropolitan Nicolae awarded the American Metropolitan Cross to the V. Rev. Fr. Mihai Bălan as a sign of appreciation and gratitude for all the pastoral-missionary work accomplished in the Parish of the Holy and Great Martyr George and Saint Dimitrios the New, Las Vegas, NV.
After the Holy Liturgy, the participants were invited in the social hall of the Church to a traditional Romanian fraternal agape prepared by Mrs. Flori Constantin, Ladies’ Auxiliary President, together with the worthy faithful men and women of the parish. After the blessing of the dishes, a short artistic moment was presented, after the singing of the two national anthems, of the United States of America and of Romania.
At the anniversary hour, awards and certificates were handed out in appreciation and recognition of the 25 years of existence of the Romanian Orthodox Parish in Las Vegas to the Church community, both by the state authorities in Las Vegas and by Metropolitan Nicolae: “We found it appropriate to record the 25th anniversary of the parish and to award this diploma of merit to the founders, ministers and faithful of the parish.” The diploma was handed over to the Parish Council President, Mr. Panta Stanciu, to Vice-President Mrs. Lia Roberts and to Fr. Mihai Bălan as a testimony to the celebration of a quarter of a century of existence.
Likewise, a diploma and homage medal of the Year of Pastoral Care of Romanians in the Diaspora were awarded to Mrs. Lia Roberts, Honorary Consul of Romania in Las Vegas, by His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel for her constant contribution to the Metropolia’s mission in preserving the Orthodox faith and promoting Christian culture. In turn, Mrs. Lia Roberts presented HE Nicolae a homage plaque in gratitude for the backing and tireless support that the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas showed to the Parish.
The hierarch also congratulated and blessed the youth of ROYA who successfully graduated Sunday School, which they attended for ten years: Nicole Bratu, Daniel Rotaru, and David Dorobanțu.
The awards were concluded with music and poetry, so that the almost 150 participants were delighted by the graceful piano performances of Nicole Bratu, Amelie Cacuci, and Matthew Cacuci. Patriotic verses were recited by ROYA children: Dominic, David, Cristi, Alexis, Jonchris, Cristina, Alexandru. Through the Uncle’s pipe - Ion Petrinca - we journeyed on Transylvanian lands and then we marveled at the recital of the violinist Ivo Gradev, together with the little student Paul Gliga and his violin.
It is fitting to give glory to God for all!
V. Rev. Fr. Mihai Bălan
November 2, 2021
Editor: Elena-Mihaela Gliga
