WCC Feature: New church brings hope to Romanian village struck by emigration

Residents of near and far gathered in a small village of Bărbătești in Romania to celebrate the consecration of a new Orthodox church, a significant sign of hope in the region recently confronted with economic emigration. Consecration of a new Romanian Orthodox church dedicated to apostles St Peter and St Paul in Bărbătești, Romania. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 11 August 2022 The consecration service and the Divine Liturgy were officiated by Metropolitan Teofan of Moldavia and Bucovina, together with a number of priests of the of the Romanian Orthodox Church. Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, acting general secretary of the World Council of Churches, together with a WCC delegation on their way to visiting Ukraine, were also present. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC Although emigration of young people has hit northeast Romania hard, impacting its residents’ livelihood, villagers of Bărbătești have been able to raise the donations necessary to build their new church. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC One of the special callings of the Orthodox parish of Bărbătești is serving the elderly people – witness to God’s love in the house of worship is accompanied by providing support and care to all in need in their community. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC Consecrating the altar of the newly built church, relics of martyrs where placed on the altar table along with a document attesting those who took part in the service, covered and sealed, and the altar was afterwards washed and anointed by Metropolitan Teofan and accompanying priests. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC According to the tradition unique to the Romanian Orthodox Church, consecration of the newly built church is the occasion when all parishioners, including women, are admitted to the sanctuary area of the church, kissing the altar table and the Gospel on it. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC During the Divine Liturgy, the sermon was delivered by Sauca, who spoke about the importance of the church in building up community and showing compassionate love, solidarity with, and care for those in need, especially for the elderly ones who feel lonely and abandoned. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC More photos from the church consecration in Barbatesti, Romania See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland