St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Church, Saint Paul, MN 854 Woodbridge Street, St. Paul, MN 55117

S FÂNTA CUVIOASĂ PARASCHEVA (IAŞI) ~ OCT. 14

www.saintmarymn.org

Pari sh prie st :

Mircea

Vasiu

of f ice (651)488-5669

cel l (734) 497-4544

Emai l :

frmirceavasiu

@yahoo.com

They had left “the old coun-

try” fresh from a life behind the

plow or in the field and suddenly

were thrust into a new life of fac-

tories and industry. Even though

this new way of living was

strange to them they worked

hard and long to earn their liveli-

hood and be good members of the

community.

These Romanians brought to

this country very little of mone-

tary value. However, they did

bring with them a steadfast reli-

gious faith, replete with beautiful

services and traditions. This faith

with its beautiful services and

traditions was complemented by

the rich ethnic background of the

immigrants.

(continuare pag. 3)

The first Romanian immi-

grants settling in the Saint Paul

area around the year 1900 found

themselves in a land with

strange customs and new life

styles, with no friends except

their fellow immigrants, strug-

gling to learn the ways of this

new country.

The dynamic growth of a

newly industrialized and demo-

cratic United States was a vast

change from the rural village life

of Banat and Transylvania dom-

inated by the Imperial rule of

the faltering Austro-Hungarian

Empire.

S T. MARY’S

CHURCH HISTORY

October 2018

The bulletin

În fiecare an, la 14 octombrie,

Biserica Ortodoxă o pomeneşte

pe Sfânta Cuvioasă Parascheva.

Cunoscută în popor şi sub nu-

mele de “Sfânta Vineri”, Cuvi-

oasa Parascheva a trăit în prima

jumătate a veacului al XI-lea. S-

a născut în Epivata, o localitate

lângă Constantinopol, aflată pe

ţărmul Mării Marmara.

Încă din copilărie Sfânta Para-

scheva şi-a manifestat evlavia şi

râvna pentru cele sfinte.

(page 2) Click here for

CHURCH CALENDAR

105th Anniversary Dinner Sun Oct 13 & 14,

2018

In the presence of

Archbishop Nathaniel

Coming events page 7

Festival photos page 8

Parking lot project

page 10

YOUR

DONATION/ CONTRIBUTION

TO OUR

FUTURE

PARKING LOT

IS IMPORTANT

Details on the last

page!

SUNDAY SCHOOL

every Sunday

At 11:00am

La vârsta de 10 ani aflându-se în

biserică împreună cu părinţii şi auz-

ind cuvintele Sfintei Evanghelii “Cine

voieşte să vină după Mine să se

lepede de sine, să-şi ia crucea sa şi să-

Mi urmeze Mie” a dăruit hainele sale

frumoase unor copii săraci şi toată

viaţa ei şi-o petrecea chiar din

copilărie în rugăciune, în fapte bune,

în milostenie şi post.

După ce a vizitat Ierusalimul,

Sfânta Cuvioasă Parascheva a intrat

într-o mănăstire de călugăriţe, în pus-

tiul Iordanului, unde s-a nevoit în

post şi rugăciune.

Sfântul Sinod al Bisericii

Ortodoxe Române a hotărât, în

şedinţa din 28 februarie 1950, canoni-

zarea unor sfinţi români, precum si

generalizarea cultului unor sfinţi ale

căror moaşte se găsesc în ţara no-

astră. Prima slujbă închinată Sfintei

Cuvioase Parascheva a avut loc în

Catedrala Mitropolitană din Iaşi, la

14 octombrie 1955.

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CENTENNIAL PLAQUE

YOU will have an additional op-

portunity to have your Name on a

permanent plaque – centennial

plaque (this image is an example)

who is exposed on parish hall. We

still have a few spots left. For more

details please contact Fr. Mircea

Vasiu. $105 dollars per name plate.

Example:

"Cel ce urmează poruncilor lui Hristos nu moare niciodată. Moare după trup,

după patimi, dar se învredniceşte a trăi încă din această viaţă în Rai, în Biserica

noastră, iar apoi în veşnicie."

Sfântul Porfirie Kafsokalivitul

" În realitate, bietul neam omenesc nu are decât un singur prieten adevarat:

pe Mântuitorul Hristos, pentru ca El l-a izbavit de cel mai mare dușman al său:

moartea. "

Sfântul Iustin Popovici

FUNAR MARIA & Family IMO her grandparents

needs of the parish for the religious edu-

cation of its young people and also a

place to be able to come to socialize and

enjoy the fullness of the Romanian herit-

age, traditions and customs. The parish

members felt as if they lost a part of them-

selves when “The Hall” was destroyed by

fire in March of 1963. After this unfortunate

event they work together and pledged to

build a new hall, a brand new building

(1964 - $41,500).

In 1935 the church was consecrated

by the first Bishop from Romania, His

Grace POLICARP MORUŞCA. The turbulent

war years of the 1940’s saw many of the

parish members serving in the armed forc-

es of the United States and their parents

and friends prayed for their safe return.

Another hallmark for St. Mary’s was a visit

by Princess ELENA of Romania in 1953.

In 1955 the interior of the church was

remodeled and new pews were installed.

The new interior was blessed on Feb. 13,

1955 in a service pontificated by His Grace

Bishop VALERIAN TRIFA. Other improve-

ments such as a new Iconostas and reno-

vations as necessary have taken place

through the years and have provided wor-

thy and hospitable accommodations for

national organizations of the Church such

as the Ladies Auxiliary (A.R.F.O.R.A.) –

founded on Feb. 24, 1929 with Psa. Valeria

Moldovan as first president – and the

youth group (A.R.O.Y.) – founded on 1934

and in Aug. 1934 Constantin Capeti and

Nick Geletar participated in the National

AROY Convention in Philadelphia.

During all the years the constant ac-

tivity and growth of the parish can be at-

tributed to the spirit and deep religious

convictions of the people of the church.

The accomplishments of a small number

of members (never exceeded 150) are a

constant reminder of how God works His

Will through the faithful.

S T. MARY’S

CHURCH HISTORY

The romantic customs with their music,

dancing and other homeland traditions were

maintained and preserved by the formation

of a benevolent society in the growing Roma-

nian population of the Rice Street area (St.

Paul North End)

It was because their firm belief that their

thoughts were constantly focused on building

a church of their own in St. Paul.

On May 18, 1913 at a meeting of Socie-

ty “AUGUSTINA” (which was a benefit society

for Romanians started in 1910) it was voted

that a parish church be instituted with the

name “Biserica Greco-Orientală Ortodoxă

Română Sfânta Maria”.

A week later, on May 25, 1913 the

church members met for the first time and

elected the committee. On November 9,

1913 the transaction was completed for the

purchase of the land on which the church

was to be build.

June 14, 1914 the corner stone was laid

and in October 15, the same year the Roma-

nians celebrated the blessing of their new

church together with Rev. Fr. JOHN PODEA

from Youngstown, Ohio. With Fr. Podea’s help

a petition was drawn and forwarded to the

Metropolitan of Sibiu in Transylvania request-

ing a parish priest. Unfortunately, World War 1

intervened before a priest could be sent and

the new church depended on the coopera-

tion of other Romanian Orthodox parishes

that helped by sharing their priest for services.

After the war the church was successful in se-

curing the services of regular parish priest.

Sometime later a house was bought

and moved onto the property to serve as the

priest’s residence. This parish house was used

until 1957, when a modern, two-story, three

bedroom house was build ($17,500).

In 1930 the parishioners felt the need for

an additional building; a place to serve the

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It is our hope that the same spirit will

continue to dominate the hearts of the

church members in the future and perpe-

trate and improve their religious faith in

God, with the assurance that, by doing so,

they are better citizens of the community

and of the country.

During all the years the constant ac-

tivity and growth of the parish can be at-

tributed to the spirit and deep religious

convictions of the people of the church.

The accomplishments of a small number of

members (never exceeded 150) are a

constant reminder of how God works His

Will through the faithful. It is our hope that

the same spirit will continue to dominate

the hearts of the church members in the

future and perpetrate and improve their

religious faith in God, with the assurance

that, by doing so, they are better citizens

of the community and of the country.

After 1989 St. Mary Church experi-

enced resurgence in membership due to

the addition of many new Romanian immi-

grants who were able to leave Romania

after the overthrow of the Communist re-

gime. In 1996 the Ladies Auxiliary of our

parish hosted the 48th ARFORA Congress

under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Mihai

Cerghizan. President of Ladies Auxiliary at

the time was Mrs. Georgeta Poliac. Dele-

gates from many Romanian Orthodox par-

ishes in the U.S. attended this event.

The church and the parish house

were renovated in 2004-2005. A major ren-

ovation and modernization of the parish

hall and property occurred between 2009-

2010.

In 2010 the St. Mary SPAROY chapter

hosted the National AROY Convention un-

der the guidance of Rev. Fr. George Oan-

că & Rev. Fr. Mircea Vasiu. The president

of SPAROY chapter was Anthony Hedesh.

In the recent years we were over-

joyed to welcome the birth of many Ro-

manian-American babies in our Orthodox

community.

Together, the old and the new fami-

lies, worked hard to keep our faith strong

and to keep the parish in good shape.

The Parish council and Ladies Auxiliary to-

gether with the faithful developed many

fundraising activities (like the annual Ro-

manian Festival) and served people in

need (like FOCUS MN) and other activities

with children (Sunday School), with adults

(Lenten Retreat), pan-orthodox services

(with MEOCCA clergy and faithful) and

cultural activities – Romanian dance les-

sons with maestro John Omorean. We cel-

ebrated the 100th Anniversary in 2013 in

the presence of our archbishop Nathaniel

and other guests and with the same oc-

casion the new altar table was blessed.

We beautified the interior of our

church with new painted icons in 2014

and installed AC in church in 2016. Now

we are in the process to build a parking

lot on the property (179 Atwater) that we

bought in 2017. We need your financial

help to finalize this project – please make

a donation toward it.

May God grant the parishioners and

their friends the strength to be as good as

or even better than their ancestors!

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On 09/02, 2018 – donate de Larisa & Alexandru Iurcu pentru sănătate si

binecuvântare de la Dumnezeu şi pentru sănătatea familiei;

On 09/16, 2018 – donated by Gabriela Jancik for Jim Jancik’s 60th birthday – La multi ani!

On 09/23, 2018 – donate familia Pirvu Cora & Adrian ca multumire lui Dumnezeu şi Maicii Domnului pentru ajutor şi binecuvântare;

On 10/28, 2018 – donated by Ardeleanu family for Katherine’s 26th birthday – La multi ani!

If you want to donate candles for Holy Altar please

see the chart in “epitrop’s area” (pridvor – pronaos)

and sing up for a Sunday or Holyday. Vă rugăm să

faceti donaţii pentru lumănările din Sf. Altar. Multumim

CANDLES IN THE FRONT AND INSIDE THE ALTAR

A DONATION FOR ALTAR

CANDLES IS

$ 50

105th Anniversary Schedule

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2018

4:00 p.m. Blessing the graves at Oakland cemetery

5:00 p.m. Vespers

6:00 p.m. Vespers & "The next 100 Years" - Children and parents night with Archbishop Na-

thaniel - at our parish hall DUNAREA performance

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2018

9:45 a.m. Greeting the archbishop and archbishop vesting

10:00 a.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel and other

priest; followed by a group picture - please wear national costume if possible ;

1:00 p.m. - Traditional Romanian Festive Banquet - at our parish hall (your donations will be well

received) and 1:30pm Romanian costume walk

Menu: Cabbage Rolls, Romanian sausage & Chicken, Potatoes, Salad, Romanian homemade

pastries & 105 Anniversary cake.

We are looking for Anniversary Dinner sponsors PLEASE contact us! There can be

more than one sponsor for Anniversary dinner.

Gabriel Petre $ 500 - FESTIVAL donation

Catalin & Daniela Petrescu $ 110 - FESTIVAL

donation

Ron Bongard $ 80 - FESTIVAL donation

Laurentiu & Gina Popa $ 50 - FESTIVAL

donation

Mirela Neascu $ 50 - FESTIVAL donation

Silvia Panait $ 50 - FESTIVAL donation

Libuse Imbrone $ 100 - FESTIVAL donation

Loriann Sarafolean $ 100 - FESTIVAL donation

Susan Scott $ 50 - FESTIVAL donation

Catalin & Maria Constantin $ 100 - FESTIVAL

donation

Nistor Adrian & Doina $ 300

- 2018 membership

Nicholas Manciu $ 40 - Pledge donation

Liliana Badea $ 25 - Pledge donation

Anonymous $ 400 - Pledge donation

Mike & Ann Donovan $ 2,000

Elena Lozne $ 500 - Anniversary dinner

sponsor IMO her mother Ana & her son Robert

-Neculai

Doru Posteuca $ 40

Bolboceanu Nicolae $ 100

Grigore Dinca $ 100

Anca Zamfirescu $ 50

John Omorean $ 500 - FESTIVAL donation

Agrigoroae Bolos Nicoleta $ 150

- FESTIVAL donation

Pasha Bortnova $ 50 - FESTIVAL donation

Georgia Omorean $ 100 - FESTIVAL donation

MONTHLY OFFERINGS

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During the 100 year history of St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Church,

the following PRIESTS served the spiritual and administrative needs of the parish:

Rev. Fr. John Podea (Protopop) - 1914; Fr. Gherasim Luca (monk) - 1915-1916

Fr. Ilie Pop - 1915-1916 Fr. Irimie Dalea - 1917-1919

Fr. Pavel Negovan - 1919-1920 Fr. Grigorie Coste - 1921-1925

Fr. Grigorie Băloiu - 1925-1926 Fr. Andrei Moldovan - 1926-1930

Fr. Moise Balea - 1930-1931 Fr. Ştefan A. Oprean - 1931-1932

Fr. Aurel Reu - 1932- 1933 Fr. Traian Damian - 1933-1936

Fr. Theodore Scaletski - 1936 Fr. Ioan Stănilă - 1936-1937

Fr. Vasile Paşcău - 1937-1938 Fr. Petru Moga - 1939-1945

Fr. Eugene Lazar - 1945-1947 Fr. Ilie Moţu - 1948-1953

Fr. George Preda - 1954-1956 Fr. Jurich Ljubisav - 1956-1957

Fr. John Ivaşcu - 1958-1967 Fr. Mircea Marinescu - 1968-1971

Fr. Coriolan Isacu - 1971-1976 Fr. Romey Rosco - 1976-1979

Fr. Constantin Alecse - 1980-1982 Fr. Filimon Barbos - 1983-1984

Fr. Cornel Todeasa - 1985-1991 Fr. Corneliu M. Cerghizan - 1991-1997

Fr. Ovidiu Mihalache - 1998 Fr. Ioan Poptelecan - 1998-2003

Fr. Georgel Oanca - 2003-2010 Fr. Mircea Vasiu - 2010- present

General memorial service / Pomenirea morţilor – moşii de toamnă (Parastas de

obşte) – Sunday, Nov. 04, 2018 – right after Divine Liturgy. Va ruga m sa aduceţi

POMELNIC şi ceea ce puteţi pentru parastas.

Thursday, November 15, 2018 St. Mary Romanian Orthodox

Church (SMROC) will participate in Give to the Max Day again

this year. Please make an ON-LINE DONATION TO ST.

MARYS ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH and we can win

one of the prizes (in money) offered by https://

www.givemn.org/organization/St-Marys-Romanian-Orthodox-Church-2

You can make online donations anytime on our web site:

http://www.saintmarymn.org/Donations.aspx

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Dear Friends, Parishioners and Volunteers,

On behalf of Chairpersons for the 2018 Taste of Romania; Pasha Bortnova and

Georgia Marinkov-Omorean, Thank you for your dedication to our largest

fundraiser. This two-day event would not have been possible without your dona-

tions of financial sponsorship, sales items, food and pastry. Most of all, your dona-

tion of time and labor are appreciated and absolutely necessary. We are happy

to report that our generous sponsors gave $1700 in financial support before the

event started. That means that the first $1700 in expenses was covered and did not

have to be deducted from the daily profits. That is significant! Most notable this 10th

year was the special addition of the full, authentic Romanian orchestra, PERINITA

from Chicago. The petting farm was also enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Whether you moved table/chairs, cooked/prepared foods, prepared/grilled

meats, baked pastry, washed dishes, sold items, donated items, danced, sang or

took a leadership role - MANY THANKS! If you were unable to volunteer this year;

WE NEED YOU. The success of our fundraisers depends on everyone pitching in.

Congratulations on an outstanding event - TOR 2018!

Thank you to our entertainers IZVORASUL & PLAI de DOR– director John Omorean.

Thank you! WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOU among us again next year.

COMING EVENTS

ROMANIAN

FESTIVAL

Sept 15 & 16,

2018.

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Parking Lot

Project

DONATIONS

Maria Tudor $ 100

Ana Maria Travnick $ 50

Elena Lozne $ 500

Anca Zamfirescu $ 200

Dan & Stefania Luca $ 150

Morarasu Catalina $ 200

Dear parishioners, friends and sup-

porters, we reached the final stage of

our parking lot project. After the city’s

approval (this month) we have to hire a

company to finalize the project. As you

see, in the picture/ layout above, we

will have an additional place where to

park our cars when we come to

church. The “engineered design and

plan” costs us (the design, land survey ,

city permits and other functions to meet

the city code requirements) $12,200. In

February at the General Meeting

(Synod), we decided to go forward

with this project, which will cost us

around $65,000 total.

We need your financial help to final-

ize this project. Please make donations

toward it (please mention on “memo” -

parking lot project. We will come with

more details soon, but we are counting

on your support.