Christ is risen!
Every year on April 23rd, the Romanian Orthodox Church of Las Vegas celebrates its Patronal Feast, Saint George the Great Martyr, the bearer of victory– an important moment of the local Orthodox Christian community. On this occasion, we are always honored to receive the pastoral visit of His Eminence Nicolae, the Metropolitan of the Romanian Orthodox Church of the Americas, who brings His spiritual blessings and guidance. The presence of His Eminence Nicolae is truly a divine gift and a source of pride for our community, which reaffirms its faith and spiritual values through his visits.
This year was a double celebration for our parish: besides celebrating the Patronal Feast of the Church, we also marked 10 years since the religious services have been conducted at the current location. These occasions brought together the faithful to celebrate and to rejoice together.
On Saturday, April 22, 2023, His Eminence Nicolae was welcomed by parishioners in folk costumes with the traditional salt and bread. We are profoundly thankful that the Church continues to support religious education. His Eminence had a meeting with the youth of our Church, which was a valuable opportunity for them to connect more deeply with our faith and to receive guidance and encouragement.
The Saturday program also included the Vespers service, as well as a memorial service for the founders of our Church. There was a prayer read for eternal commemoration to honor the memory of those that contributed to the development of our community in a positive and durable way, through the Church. Then the new bell tower was blessed. It was funded by the Rașa-Șoarece family in memory of Mr. Panta Stanciu. This was an emotional and meaningful moment as well.
On Sunday, April 23, 2023, Hierarchical Liturgy was celebrated, followed by a festal meal sponsored by Mrs. Lia Roberts, Honorary Consul General of Romania in Las Vegas and President of the Parish Council of the Church. For this occasion, we thank her for her incredible generosity and philanthropic involvement. Since it couldn’t have happened any other way, Ms. Flori Constantin, President of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, spoiled us with a delicious meal: meatball soup and grilled pork chops, while the dessert consisted of a variety of homemade cakes, sponsored by Mrs. Simona and Dr. Ovidiu Brescan. After His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae blessed the food and parishioners, there were a series of activities that served to recognize those that contributed to the development and growth of the Church.
The construction of the Church was done over many years of hard work, with the personal sacrifices, physical labor, and financial efforts of Mr. Panta Stanciu, Mrs. Lia Roberts, along with many other donors. In the beginning, it started with no more than 25 people who showed remarkable courage, perseverance, and dedication in building a place of worship for the Orthodox community of Las Vegas. The continuous support offered over the years, from 2002 with the arrival of His Eminence Nicolae in the United States in America, to the present, was marked with a plaque as a symbol of appreciation and was offered to Metropolitan Nicolae.
His Eminence took the opportunity to offer Mrs. Lia Roberts the "American Metropolitan Cross" for 25 years of serving the Romanian community as Honorary Consul General of Romania in Las Vegas. The certificate of recognition reads:
"In appreciation and gratitude for the love and effort in serving the Romanian Orthodox community of the "St. Great Martyr George and St. Demetrius the New" Church of Las Vegas and our Metropolia, we award the American Metropolitan Cross to Mrs. Lia Roberts. She is worthy!"
In his speech, Archbishop Nicolae addressed a message of congratulations to all the parishioners for the occasion of this 10th anniversary and reminded them that at every moment of celebration of this kind, we must set plans for the future, for the future of our children. And he came up with a great suggestion:
"What do you think about building a larger Church? We must dream and then try to fulfill this dream, with the help of God, Because the Church will be built for generations to come. All the Romanians of Las Vegas are joyful to have spent 10 years in this Church. I have mentioned Mr. Panta Stanciu as an example for many parishes in America, for he had the God-given intelligence and patience to raise this Church up after spending three years in the construction site. The Church is built when we put in our effort. There is no church built without sacrifice, or without love, and belief in the help of God. The Church is built to serve for hundreds of years, and for generations… I hope God will grant you all His blessing, so you may construct this new, larger church!”
Another important moment was when Mrs. Lia Roberts handed a letter of thanks to Father Mike on behalf of the Ambassador of Romania in Washington, Andrei Muraru.
The entire artistic program held in the "Panta Stanciu" social hall started with the singing of the two national anthems: American and Romanian, by children and youth, conducted by presbytera Simona Bălan. The children, Rareș Călin, Laura Fedeleș, Paul and Alex Gliga recited verses about family and faith. The artistic program opened with Cornelia Lopez, who sang an Oltenian son that connected us to our maternal country, followed by Felicia Jefferson, who played “Time to Say Goodbye” by Andreea Bocelli on the electric violin, and finished with the Romanian folk-dance group "Ciuleandra" (Ioana Agatinei, Lisa McCain, Raluca Petre, Kim Miller, Cornelia Lopez, Ana Petrinca), which was choreographed by Ion Petrinca, the founder of the group.
This weekend was a memorable one and we all left with our hearts filled with inspiration and spiritual wisdom, being joyful for having received the Blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicolae!
May God Help Us!
Mihaela Gliga
