His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas, surrounded by eleven priests “from all over the world” and the Tronos Byzantine Group of the Romanian Patriarchate, concelebrated in Austin, TX, on February 25-26, 2022.
The Byzantine Group Tronos, led by Rev. Archdeacon Mihai Buca and the twelve ministers of the altar made us feel like in a Cathedral, even though we served in a simple and humble tent. The spiritual joy was amplified with the occasion of the ordination of Rev. Fr. Deacon Gabriel Ilieș as a priest on behalf of the Nativity of the Mother of God Parish, Austin, TX. Among the clergy that served were V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Buda, Dean of the Andrei Șaguna Faculty of Theology in Sibiu, V. Rev. Fr. Gheorghe Militaru, Administrative Vicar of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, Rev. Fr. Alessandro Margheritino, Secretary of the Orthodox Church of America (OCA) as well as other Texas priests who are friends of the parish.
Being in the midst of a people who is only now beginning to know Orthodoxy, large concelebrations and the angelic songs of Byzantine Music groups are rare, even unique. This privilege has made us understand that God loves us and that we need to move forward with the plan to build a true church in this place and to unite the community in the name of Christ.
Although we are few, though with a pure soul, hardworking and generous, these moments encourage us in our mission. We understand that just as we invest in the education of children, giving them the opportunity to study in the best schools, so must we also invest in their souls, offering them the chance to encounter God in the Church.
In his homily, His Eminence Nicolae spoke of the threefold work of the priest: to teach, to sanctify, and to lead. Thus, the priest is the mouth and hand of Christ amid men, and becomes the servant of the faithful; then, the priest and the faithful are, together, the servants of God. The responsibility to lead people on the path of salvation is great, and so believers must also pray for the priest, support him, and work together for the benefit of the whole Church and community, and, in this manner, together they shall be saved.
We ask God to bless us and bring peace to the world. These troubled times can only be calmed by the prayers of us all. May God thus help us!
Rev. Fr. Gabriel Ilieș
