Keeping a tradition of more than 20 years, the Romanian Orthodox Church of Saint Mary dedicated to the Protection of the Mother of God from the city of Dacula, Georgia, USA, received on January 25-26, 2025 the visit of His Eminence Nicolae, Romanian Archbishop of the USA and Metropolitan of the Americas.
The Metropolitan's visit began on Saturday, January 25, 2025, with the Great Vespers followed by a word of teaching delivered by HE Metropolitan Nicolae. The Romanian Orthodox Church celebrates in 2025 one hundred years since its elevation to the rank of Patriarchate. The moment will be marked throughout the year by various events, including the proclamation of the canonization of several contemporary Romanian saints and the great consecration of the National Cathedral. In this context, Metropolitan Nicolae reminded the faithful to read and learn about the lives of Romanian saints who are praying to God for the Romanian nation. Two of the Romanian holy hierarchs celebrated during his visit to Dacula, St. Hierarch Betranion of Tomis, who is celebrated on January 25, and St. Hierarch Joseph the Merciful, Metropolitan of Moldovia, celebrated on January 26, were given as examples of service and holiness.
On Sunday morning during Matins, His Eminence Nicolae was received in the church by Fr. Nicolae Clempuș, the parish priest, together with the two co-serving priests, Fr. David Hudson and Fr. Teodor Regoș. After the Divine Liturgy, the Metropolitan spoke to the faithful about the example of Zacchaeus who, meeting Christ and receiving Him into his home, changed his life and through repentance bore fruit in good deeds. We, in turn, enter the house of the Lord seeking Christ and He awaits us at the Divine Liturgy of the Word and then perfected in the Holy Eucharist. All we have to do is accept Him and receive Him. At the Divine Liturgy we are not mere spectators, but active participants in the mysteries of God. This participation changes us and produces fruits of faith.
After the sermon, the Hierarch recalled the passing to the Lord of Archbishop Anastasios, the Primate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, and his missionary stature proven by the 33 years of service to the Church of Albania, reborn after 1990, after the fall of the communist regime in Albania.
Then he recalled the feast of the parish of St. Mary this Sunday: 25 years of priestly service of Fr. Nicolae Clempuș and Fr. David Hudson. On this occasion, Metropolitan Nicolae offered Fr. Nicolae Clempuș the Order of St. Emperors Constantine and Helen. “Considering the missionary and pastoral activity in the service of the parish of St. Mary, Dacula, GA and the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas, we deemed it appropriate to grant the Order of St. Emperors Constantine and Helen to P.C. Fr. Nicolae Clempuș” says the official document offered to the parish priest along with the pectoral cross of the order of St. Emperors Constantine and Helena.
Fr. David Hudson, in turn, received a Merit Diploma on the occasion of his 25 years of priesthood: “On the occasion of 25 years of priestly service, on behalf of the clergy and the faithful of our Metropolia, we wish you good health and a long and saving life. Thanking God for all the blessings bestowed on the 25 years of priestly service.” says the official diploma offered along with the pectoral cross by Metropolitan Nicolae.
After the anointing of the faithful and the official photo, the anniversary celebration continued in the Church's event hall, where a cultural moment was offered by the male dance group Dumbrava Sibiului and official messages addressed to the two priests on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of their priesthood. The parish ladies offered a festive meal to those present. Mr. Petru Cherchezan and Luminița Borzea, some of the founding members of the Church, gave a brief history of the beginnings of the mission together with Fr. Nicolae, and Preoteasa Mary Hudson spoke about the beginnings of the Hudson family's Orthodox experiences in Romania. The two celebrated priests also received congratulatory messages from the two Missions in South Carolina where they served: St. Gregory the Theologian Mission in Greenville and St. Luke the Evangelist Mission in Columbia. The messages were brought and officially transmitted by Ms. Mihaela Livingston.
After a beautiful visual presentation, projected for all those present, Preoteasa Roza Elena Clempuș, who organized the anniversary program, thanked His Eminence Nicolae for his presence and for the blessings received over the years in our church and then thanked all those who were involved and contributed to organizing this special moment in the lives of the two serving priests.
The anniversary celebration ended with the speech of Metropolitan Nicolae who congratulated the two serving priests, thanked the organizers for the beautiful moments spent together and blessed the entire community at St. Mary's Church.
Fr. Nicolae Clempuș
