Priests and delegates from the parishes which make up the Deanery of the Eastern United States of America, along with His Most Reverend Nicolae, Archbishop of the USA and Metropolitan of the Americas, gathered on October 20th-21st, 2023 at St. Gregory the Theologian Romanian Orthodox Church in Easley, SC for the Deanery Assembly meeting. These local gatherings give us an opportunity to spend two days together and share the experiences, trials, successes, and shortcomings of each parish. The Deanery Assembly is also a good opportunity to educate and improve ourselves in our pastoral mission.
In addition, the meeting began with a prayer and a welcome address by Metropolitan Nicolae to those present, accompanied by thanks and gratitude of the guests to the hosts of the assembly. Fr. Daniel Ene, Dean of the Eastern USA Deanery, addressed a welcome message which emphasized the importance of our face-to-face encounter and the example we set for our faithful in communion. True communion is in person and not fully realized online.
Moreover, on behalf of the hosts of the Assembly, Fr. David Hudson welcomed those in attendance and formally announced his retirement and that he is in his final days as parish priest of St. Gregory the Theologian Parish in Easley, SC. Also, Fr. David introduced Fr. Bogdan Cojoleancă who came from Romania and was named the new parish priest of the Church. Fr. Bogdan, newly arrived from Romania with his entire family, had expressed his hope for a successful collaboration with the parish council and a fruitful pastorate in this young parish.
Following the nomination of the secretary and attendance made, the agenda was approved. Fr. Nicolae Clempuș, secretary of the 2021 Deanery Assembly at St. Paraskeva Church in the Boston area, read the minutes for the meeting. In doing so, those present were reminded of what was discussed two years ago. This was followed by reports from the parishes. Each parish priest had presented a verbal report of the parish of which he oversees with new or old projects, activities, problems or shortcomings. In this way, those present were able to learn about the situation of our parishes in Eastern America from their priests.
Furthermore, the Assembly's first online intervention to educate those present in parish ministry and administration was hosted by Fr. Timothy Sas, a minister at the Greek parish in Minneapolis, MN. Fr. Timotei had presented the conference under the theme: Stewardship: "A Practical Manifestation of the Hands of Christ in Parish Life.” After the presentation there was a question-and-answer session in which Fr. Timothy answered with great dedication and pedagogical tact.
The evening of Friday, October 20th, 2023, ended with prayer and dinner, after which the priests returned to the Church for a priestly conference, and the Ladies of the AROLA Organization and representatives of the parish schools had a separate meeting in the social hall of the Church.
On Saturday, October 21st, 2023, the work day began in the Church with the Akathist of the Saints of Transylvania celebrated on the same day. Archbishop Nicolae, with the priests present, had prayed for help and protection, remembering in prayer the victims of the war in Ukraine and Israel who need the comfort of God in these moments of danger which they are currently going through.
In the context of the Year of the Pastoral Care of the Elderly and the Commemorative Year of Church Hymnographers and Singers had decided by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church for 2023, Fr. Marius Dumitrescu from St. Nicolae Church in New York, gave a lecture entitled: "Prayers for the Health of the Elderly; Social Philanthropic Activities Directed at Supporting Vulnerable People, Especially the Elderly who are Abandoned or in Difficult Situations." In the same context of the Memorial and Commemorative Year, Mr. Leonard Milea, chanter of the Church of the Life-Giving Spring in Long Valley, NJ, presented the lecture, "The Triad of the Love of God through Word and Music: St. John Damascene, St. John Cucuzel and Anton Pann."
After a Q&A session and a unique musical intervention performed by Leonard from Anton Pann's repertoire, those present watched a documentary about the mosaic painting of the National Cathedral in Bucharest.
The last presentation of the meeting was the conference on "Reflection: With people, for their souls - Parish mission today - case study,” given by Fr. Daniel Ene. In his presentation, Fr. Daniel spoke about his mission in Latin America and the fruits of Orthodoxy in these lands. Our Metropolia, through the efforts of Fr. Daniel, currently has five parishes on the South American continent. The missionary possibilities in this area of the world, large in area but with many socio-economic problems, were also presented. For the occasion of the birthday of Fr. Daniel Ene, Archbishop Nicolae had presented him with two books on Orthodox liturgical ministry in the Spanish language.
Finally, after the group photo, the following reports were presented: Mrs. Ioana Coman presented the report of the AROLA Ladies Organization, Emanuel Cojoleancă had presented the report of the ROYA Youth Organization on behalf of President Claudiu Dima, and Pr. Daniel Ene presented the report of the Education Commission.
After the thanks and the conclusions of a great weekend together, conveyed by His Eminence Nicolae, the proposal of the St. Nicholas Church in New York to host the next Deanery Assembly in 2025 had also been accepted. All those present then enjoyed a Romanian picnic prepared with much love and sacrifice by the parishioners of St. Gregory the Theologian Church in Easley SC.
Fr. Nicolae Clempus, secretary
