On Sunday, May 28, 2023, the parish of Sts. Peter and Paul in Astoria, New York held a double event: the official retirement of Fr. Prof. Dr. Theodor Damian, the founder and spiritual pastor of the parish 30 years ago, and the installation of a new pastor in the person of Fr. Florin Spînu from Romania.
His Eminence Nicolae, Archbishop of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the United States of America and Metropolitan of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas, arrived at the parish church and celebrated Divine Liturgy in the presence of the members of the Parish Council and Committee and a large number of faithful. In the altar led by His Eminence, together with Fathers Theodor and Florin, also served Fr. Gavril Damian from Romania and Fr. Ioan Proteasa from St. Andrew's Orthodox Church in Jamaica, New York. Father Protosinghellos Vincentiu Temirov, spiritual priest at St. Vladimir's School of Orthodox Theology in Crestwood (Yonkers), New York was also present at the event.
After the Divine Liturgy, HE Nicolae presented Father Theodor with the Order of "St. Stephen the Great" of our Metropolia, and the Patriarchal Cross for Laity to Preoteasa Claudia Damian, thanking them for all their work in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ during these 30 years, after which he read aloud and gave the Hierarchical Grammata to Father Florin Spînu, a native of Iași, and the new parish priest. He also gave the Holy Gospel, the Holy Cross, a Liturgy book, and the keys to the church, wishing him God's blessing in his new ministry in New York. Preoteasa Mihaela Spînu also received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from the Ladies' Committee of the parish.
At the festive table in the social hall of the church, several people spoke, thanking Father Theodor for his long service in this parish and welcomed Father Florin and preoteasa Mihaela. Another moment of joy at the event was the presence of the talented young Romanian Sasha Radosav who played the violin, the Romanian dance suite by Béla Bartók and the Ballade of Ciprian Porumbescu. Lia Lungu, the beloved interpreter of Romanian song, delighted the audience with some musical pieces.
His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae concluded his sermons with remarks and advice for the new parish priest.
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