Dumitru & Paraschiva Vasu in
honor of our granddaughter,
Abigail on her birthday, July 4th.
God grant her many blessed,
healthy & happy years!
Saint Stephen the Great Commemorated on July 2
Saint Stephen succeeded his father, Prince Bog-
dan II, as Prince of Moldavia on April 12, 1457.
He defended his country against the Turks,
and he also built many churches and monas-
teries.
Saint Stephen the Great was a spiritual son of
Saint Daniel the Hesychast (December 18), who told
him that if he built a church after every battle he would
be victorious in all his wars. Following Saint Daniel’s
counsel, Saint Stephen won forty-seven battles and built
forty-eight churches or monasteries. He also built the
Putna Dormition Monastery in northern Moldavia in
1466 when Saint Daniel urged him to do so. In 1476,
Saint Stephen lost the battle of Razboieni to the Turks.
He went to visit Saint Daniel at the Voronets Monastery
to ask whether or not he should surrender the country to
the Moslems. Saint Daniel told him not to surrender, be-
cause he would soon win a decisive victory. Saint Daniel
also told him that after he had saved the nation, Stephen
should build a monastery in honor of Saint George at that
place. Having faith in Saint Daniel’s prophecy, Stephen
went forth with his army and drove the Turks from the
country.
Saint Stephen fell asleep in the Lord on July 2, 1504, and
was buried at the Putna Monastery. He was glorified by
the Orthodox Church of Romania in 1992.
(Source: oca.org)
SFÂNTUL VOIEVOD ȘTEFAN CEL MARE,
APĂRĂTOR AL ORTODOXIEI
“Apărător neînfricat al credinței și patriei străbune,
mare ctitor de locașuri sfinte, Ștefane Voievod, ro-
agă pe Hristos Dumnezeu, să ne izbăvească din ne-
voi și din necazuri.”(Tropar)
Pentru neamul românesc, canonizarea din 1992 a
Sfântului Voievod Ștefan cel Mare (1457-1504)
reprezintă un act de credință și de afirmare a valorilor
noastre spiritual și istorice. Astăzi, când lumea
creștină este într-o permanentă amenințare, înțelegem mai
profund adâncimea credinței, curajul și însemnătatea
acestui domnitor creștin pentru noi, generațiile care i-am
urmat.
Fiu al domnitorului Bogdan al II-lea, Ștefan a înțeles
primejdia musulmană care îi amenința țara sa, dintre Nistru
și Carpați. Sfătuit de piosul său duhovnic, Sfântul Daniel
Sihastrul și susținut de rugăciunile mamei sale, Oltea
(numele monastic, Maria), acest domnitor a dus nu mai
puțin de 47 de războaie cu turcii. După fiecare din ele a
zidit o mănăstire sau biserică. Suferințele și sacrificiile sale
și ale generației lui au fost imense, reușind să nu cadă sub
turci, ci păstrând o relație de suzeranitate cu aceștia. Vitejia
lui a fost recunoscută de Papa Pius al 6-lea, care i-a acordat
titlul de “atlet al lui Hristos.” Acest moment este ilustrat în
friza Istoriei Românilor de Mac Constantinescu, din Cleve-
land.
Evlavia poporului ortodox român din Moldova și din
“dulcea Bucovină”, cum o numea Eminenscu, l-a înconju-
rat cu recunoștință și rugăciuni, peste veacuri. Moaștele
sale se odihnesc la mănăstirea Putna. În 1992, Biserica
Ortodoxă Română l-a trecut în rândul sfinților apărători ai
Ortodoxiei. Cu ale lui sfinte rugăciuni, Doamne Iisuse
Hristoase, mântuiește-ne pe noi și ocrotește Biserica Ta în
veac!
Pr. Remus Grama
VOLUME 62 July 5th, 2020 NO. 27
St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral A parish of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America
Weekly Bulletin
3256 Warren Road Cleveland, Ohio 44111
Phone: (216) 941-5550 Office - Fax: (216) 941-3068
E-mail: [email protected] - www.smroc.org The Most Reverend Archbishop Nathaniel
The Right Rev. Vicar Andrei, Bishop of Cleveland
Very Rev. Dr. Remus Grama, Dean
Rev. Deacon Nick Neagoe
SPIRITUAL CALENDAR: 4th Sunday after Pascha
8:30 Matins (Utrenia); Tone 3, Mat. Gos. 4. 9:30 am Divine Liturgy (Sfânta Liturghie) Epistle: Romans 6:18-23. Gospel: Matthew 8:5-13 (Healing of centurion’s servant).
THE CALENDAR IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE! POT INTERVENI
SCHIMBĂRI ÎN CALENDAR!
On Friday, JULY 3rd, the office is
closed in observance of
INDEPENDENCE DAY.
The office will resume its hours on
Monday, July 6th at 9 am.
ALTAR BREAD - PRESCURE
Simona Cismas ÎM tatălui meu Ioan și a tuturor celor decedaţi din
familie.
Jessi & Daniela IMO of father & husband Alan, Daniela’s fa-
ther, Stelian. May God rest them in peace! Dumnezeu să-i odihnească!
Lavinia Cozmin-Morris for the good health of brother, Horia.
Vasile Leluțiu pentru sănătatea surorii, Veronica.
Lidia Ciobanu for the good health of family.
Claudia Mateescu pentru sănătatea familiei și membrilor parohiei.
Jessi, Daniela & Maria for the good health, God’s blessings and special
intentions.
7 DAY VIGIL LIGHTS – NARTHEX
Ana Popa ÎM soțului meu Traian Popa.
Cornelia Bicescu IMO my husband Ovidiu Bicescu.
Simona Cismas ÎM tatălui meu Ioan și a tuturor celor decedaţi din
familie.
Afrodita, Irina, Magdalena & Sophia IM părinților Victor şi Paula
Constantinidis.
Cristina Hemsoth & family IMO parents & grandparents, Grigore &
Greta Butoi.
George & Aurelia Habian IMO our son, George Miachael Habian on
his birthday (July 1st). May he rest in peace. Gone but never forgotten.
Claudia Mateescu IMO Silvia, Geta, Șerban și toți cei decedați din
familie.
Andrei & Mirela Brăteanu & Family IMO Nicoletta Popescu from
Romania.
Gloria Haak in loving memory of my husband Al. Always in my heart.
Dumitru & Paraschiva Vasu-Family IMO all family members fallen
asleep in the Lord! Always in our hearts. Memory Eternal!
May God rest them in peace! Dumnezeu să-i odihnească!
Simona Cismașiu pentru sănătatea familiei.
Lavinia Cozmin-Morris for the good health of family and brother, Horia.
Lidia Ciobanu for the good health of family.
George & Aurelia Habian for special intentions.
Claudia Mateescu for the good health of family and all parish members.
Mihaela Hetruc in honor of Paula Ciobota’s name day.
Vasile Leluțiu pentru sănătatea familiei.
Dumitru & Paraschiva Vasu-Family for the good health of our family,
God’s blessings and special intentions.
Dumitru & Paraschiva Vasu in honor of our granddaughter, Abigail on
her birthday, July 4th. God grant her many more blessed, healthy and
happy years! La mulți Ani! With love Bunica și Bunicu.
Jonel & Ana Roșu pentru sănătatea familiei.
Nursing Home
Radu Petrescu ................................................................................................. Greenbrier Angela Netcu ............................................................................................. Eliza Jennings Ana Popa ...................................................................... O’Neil Healthcare, Lakewood Assisted Living
Victoria A. Morin ........................................................ Greenfield at Oak Ridge, TN Ruth Lazăr ............................................................................................ Royalton Woods Carlotta Miclău ................................................................................. Brighton Gardens
Hospitalized
George Mohan ..................................... Cleveland Clinic Main Campus Hospital
THIS WEEK:
SUN., July 5th: 8:30 am Matins, 9:30 am Divine Liturgy.
SAT., July 11th : 11 am Baptism Emilia Nicole Walters; NO
Vespers & Confessions.
NEXT WEEK:
SUN., July 12th: 8:30 am Matins, 9:30 am Divine Liturgy.
SAT., July 18th : 11 am Baptism Armin Grigoraș Scutelnicu; NO
Vespers & Confessions.
UPCOMING SPIRITUAL
July 12 - (+) Veneration of the Holy Icon of the
Mother of God Prodromitsa of Mount Athos
(Cinstirea Sfintei Icoane a Maicii
Domnului Prodromița de la Muntele Athos)
July 20 - (+) Glorious Prophet Elijah (Elias) the
Tishbite/ (+) Sf. Și Slăvitul Prooroc Ilie
Tezviteanul
9 am Divine Liturgy / Sf. Liturghie
July 27 - (+) Great-martyr and healer Panteleimon /
(+) Sf. Mare-Mucenic și Tămăduitor
Pantelimon
ON THE WEEK OF JULY 6th THE PARISH OFFICE WILL BE OPEN BETWEEN
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Our parish secretary will be on vacation and
Father will substitute in the office
The regular hours will resume on Monday, July 13th at 9 am.
NO VESPERS IN JULY
CONFESSIONS:
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
2020 Bulletin Sponsors
Available Dates:
July: 12; August: 2, 16, 23, 30; Sep-
tember: 27; October: 18, 25;
November: 15, 29.
To sponsor it, please contact our parish
office. We thank all who have sup-
ported and sponsored our bulletins over the years.
Thank you!
LOAN SPONSORSHIP, THANK YOU!
We would like to thank to George C. Cantor for
donating $1,500.00 to cover the loan for the month
of July. His donation is in memory of his dear
parents, George & Sylvia Cantor.
We are still seeking sponsors for 7 more months to
cover the rest of the first year. Thank you!
IMPORTANT PARISH
CONTACTS
Parish President:
Viorel Oancea
(440) 915-9642
Ladies Auxiliary
President:
Aura Petre
(440) 503-0829
Custodian:
Marian Ciuta
(216) 513-5535
Financial Secretary:
Simona Sarsama
(216) 533-4636
Hall Rental:
Italian Creations Church Office
(216) 226-2282 (216) 941-5550
FUNERAL
Maria Puipetrescu (94) of Geneva on the
Lake, a member of our church, fell asleep in
the Lord last Monday. Due to COVID
restrictions for Nursing Homes, in the last
months, sadly she was separated from her family,
daughter & son-in-law Rodica (Henry) Fix,
granddaughter & her husband Rachel & Todd, and great
granddaughter Gabriela. Maria was born in Peris,
Romania. In 1981, together with her husband, Ionel, and
daughter, Rodica, she came to Cleveland. She was buried
by Father Remus Grama, on July 3rd from Craciun
Funeral Home. Her husband, Ionel Puipetrescu, preceded
her in death, in 2002.
Dumnezeu să o ierte și condoleanțe familiei îndurerate!
ARFORA CONFERENCE/
ZOOM
A total of 38 participants
representing the parishes of the
Episcopate attended last Saturday the national
meeting presided by Adelina Balog of Chicago.
Miss Dorina Riscutta and Father Grama
represented our parish. The meeting was attended
by Archbishop Nathaniel and Bishop Andrei. The
organization presented reports regarding St.
Elizabeth Project that takes care of Widow
Preotese, the Scholarships and St. Paraschiva
Project. Among the winners of the scholarships
was Anastasia Ciobanu, a college student at
Baldwin Wallace College from our parish. The
board was very pleased with the Souvenir-Book
prepared entirely by Mrs. Mihaela Hetruc and Miss
Dorina Riscutta. The booklet featured H.E. Abp.
Nathaniel who this year observes a double
anniversary. If interested to obtain this booklet for
a small donation, please contact our office.
It was noted that ARFORA published a number of
color pamphlets with useful information, that are
available for parishes. All Ladies Auxiliaries of the
parishes are a part of the ARFORA and are invited
to be a part of the mission of the Church. The
meeting was conducted with faith and love and it
stood apart as a well-prepared event.
We encourage our young women of the parish to
become involved in the Ladies Auxiliary and in the
ARFORA national
organization.
ON BEHALF OF
THE A.R.F.O.R.A.
ORGANIZATION,
Thank You ALL
who donated or
placed an ad in the
Souvenir Book!
NO BULLETIN ON JULY 12
Due to the secretary’s vacation, there will
be no bulletin on July 12. All donations and
candles will be published in the bulletin of
July 19.
The weekly pre-paid candles will be lit on
Sunday morning.
PE 12 IULIE NU VOM PUBLICA
BULETINUL SĂPTĂMÂNAL
Deoarece secretara parohiei va fi în
vacanță, buletinul din data de 12 iulie nu se
va publica. Toate donațiile și lumânările vor
fi publicate în buletinul din data de 19 iulie.
Lumânările pre-plătite vor fi aprinse
duminică dimineața.
DEANERY NEWS
Father Ionel Satnoianu is no more the Priest of
Saint George, Canton. He left our Episcopate and is
now a part of the Romanian Metropolia of Chicago.
His Grace, Bishop Andrei and together with Father
Daniel Palanceanu of Las Vegas, served in Canton,
last Sunday.
CLUBUL DE CARTE
ROMÂNEASCĂ
Dr. Lavinia Morris, who has recently retired, invites the friends of Clubul de Carte to attend the first meeting, since Covid-19 began, to meet each Thursday, beginning with July 23, at 10 a.m. in the Pomutz Garden.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED
We need help to weed flower beds around the
church and we hope one or two members or
young faithful may be able to give us a hand. If
you can come, please call our office: 216-941-
5550. The Lord will bless those whose spirit is
“steady and willing”.
CATECHUMANS:
Currently, Fr. Grama is meeting on a weekly basis
with STEPHAN EDDISON LOESCH for conversion.
SUNDAY SCHOOL MEETING CANCELED
Our Sunday School Teachers meeting scheduled for
Monday, June 29 has been canceled due to
unavailability of the teachers.
In light of the unknown details regarding the next
school year in COVID-19 circumstances, we plead
with the young mothers and fathers to become
involved and help us implement a program for the
upcoming year. Our program will only be as good
as we are. If you have any suggestions and ideas on
how to manage teaching at distance, please, let us
know. We are looking for teachers who can volun-
teer and help and we are receptive to new ideas.
Camp Vatra–Virtual Begins This Week
If you missed the
registration due date, contact His Grace,
Bishop Andrei.
https://www.bing.com/
CONGRATULATIONS
To John and Lidia Peicu for the
baptism of their granddaughter,
Emilia Nicole, daughter of Shawn
& Michelle-Nicole Walters (Peicu),
in our church on July 11.
Nași: Sorin & Maria Stoica.
Să trăiască!
New Episcopate Directives
Baptisms and Funerals
According to the new directives of the ROEA we are
now permitted to resume Baptisms and Funerals,
respecting the rules of masks, social distance and
avoiding large gatherings.
Orthodox Monastery of Transfiguration
A History and Life
The Reverend Mother
Abbess Christophora
and the nuns of
Transfiguration
Monastery in Ellwood
City, PA have just
published a new
album and history of
their convent. The
beautiful album is
honoring the past and
presenting their dynamic present time, including
the personality of spiritual leaders and the collec-
tive pan-orthodox efforts and work of those who
supported the monastery. The personalities of the
blessed founders and their accomplishments are
presented briefly and illustrated with very lovely
and inspiring photos. The album may be obtained
from the monastery, by sending a donation to:
Monastery of Transfiguration, 321 Monastery Lane,
Ellwood City, PA 16117.
Every year, the orthodox faithful from Ohio,
Pennsylvania and West Virginia attend the moving
pilgrimage to the feast of the monastery, on August
6. If this year the pilgrimage may be affected by
restrictions we encourage donations and prayers
for our dedicated monastics.
Fr. Remus Grama
OUR CHURCH IS NOW OPEN
We are now open for services but with cer-
tain limitations and restrictions. Upon com-
ing to church on Sunday, we ask all our
members to sign up and sanitize their
hands. While in church, we are expected to
wear a mask. Please observe the social dis-
tance, according to the mark up on the
floors and pews. Thank you for protecting
others and yourself during this time pan-
demic.
PLEASE, SUPPORT YOUR CHURCH!
Are vacations and pandemic keep us away from
the church services? Please, remember that even
when we are away, our church has many ex-
penses and she needs our continued care, love
and support. Will you please send your weekly
donations to help us stay afloat? May the Lord
“bless those who love the beauty of His
House!”
Beloved in Christ,
Christ Is In Our Midst!
Since the month of March, when Covid-19 came like a
dark cloud upon us, our church continued to offer
services and pray for you. I am glad to let you know that,
so far, our parishioners are relatively well. Let us praise
the Lord for His divine protection! I hope this letter finds
you well and I pray that the Lord may bless you and your
family.
This is one of the most challenging times in our existence
as a church and in my pastorate. We are separated and
partially isolated. I want you to know that the church now
functions with open doors and with limited seating due to
sanitary demands. Everyone who comes to church has the
temperature taken, must sanitize hands and sign up a
registration form. Then the usher leads everyone to the
available seats. We are able to accommodate over 75
people. Though it is a bit uncomfortable, I hope we all
understand that this is required for our own protection.
I miss each and all of you, as I am sure you too miss the
church. I invite you to attend the service either in person
or on Facebook. Let’s stay in touch. If you need my
services, please call me at (216) 406-3654 or in the office
at (216) 941-5550. Thank you for keeping up your good
habit of supporting the church and understanding the
needs our community has at this time. Your gifts of love
are very beneficial and they are a great encouragement to
us. As I pray for you, please keep me and my family in
your prayers. Let’s continue to stick together as a parish
family and pray for the day when we will all fill the pews
of the church, receive the Body of Christ together and
rejoice in the Lord!
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God
the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with
all of you!
Father Remus Grama
Iubiților în Hristos,
Hristos în mijlocul nostru!
Din luna martie, când epidemia Covid-19 a venit peste noi
ca un nor întunecat, biserica noastră coninuă să înalțe
slujbe și să se roage pentru voi toți. Sunt bucuros să vă
anunț că, până acum, credincioșii noștri sunt relativ bine.
Să lăudăm pe Domnul pentru protecția Sa divină! Sper că
scrisoarea mea vă va găsi sănătoși și rog pe Domnul să vă
binecuvânteze familia!
Această perioada este una din cele mai mari încercări din
viața parohiei noastre și a păstoririi mele. Suntem
despărțiți și partial izolați. Doresc să știți că, datorită
restricțiilor sanitare, biserica funcționează cu ușile
deschise și cu un număr limitat de locuri. Când venim la
biserică, ni se ia temperatura, trebuie să ne dezinfectăm
mâinile și să ne înregistrăm. Apoi vom fi conduși la locul
disponibil. Vă rog să colaborați. Putem primi circa 75 de
credincioși. Deși nu este plăcut să spun aceasta, sper că
vom înțelege că aceste reguli sunt pentru ocrotirea noastră.
Îmi este dor să vă revăd, pe fiecare și pe toți, așa cum și
Dvs. – sunt sigur - simțiți lipsa bisericii. Vă invit să luați
parte la slujbe fie în persoană, fie prin Facebook. Să ținem
legătura! Dacă aveți nevoie de slujbe particulare, vă rog să
mă sunați la: (216) 406-3654 sau (216) 941-5550. Vă
mulțumesc pentru că vă mențineți bunul obicei de a
sprijini biserica și pentru că înțelegeți nevoile ei în aceste
timpuri. Jertfele dragostei Dvs. ne sunt de mult ajutor și ne
aduc multă încurajare. Mă rog pentru Dvs. și vă rog să nu
mă uitați, pe mine și familia mea, în rugăciunea Dvs.! Să
rămânem uniți, ca parohie, și să ne rugăm pentru ziua
când vom umple iarăși băncile bisericii, vom primi Trupul
lui Hristos și ne vom bucura împreună în Domnul!
Harul Domnului nostru Iisus Hristos și dragostea lui
Dumnezeu Tatăl și împărtășirea Duhului Sfânt să fie cu
voi cu toți!
Părintele Remus Grama
The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America
SAINT MARY ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 3256 Warren Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44111 – (216) 406-3654 – www.smroc.org
Very Rev. Fr. Remus Grama, Parish Priest July 1, 2020