Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church - The History of the Holy Trinity Church

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The History of the Holy Trinity Church (.pdf format)

Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church in Los Angeles
(1939-2019)

Short History - Chronology of events:

In 1989, the Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church in Los Angeles celebrated the 50th golden anniversary - The Golden Jubilee - 23-24 September 1989, of glorious existence and sacred influence on the grateful Romanian-American Orthodox believers (1939-1989).
On this occasion, a special bilingual edition of more than 300 pages was printed. Detailed Jubilee events were described by the authors of the Golden Jubilee book (Vee & Suzan Petrescu and Miron Butariu), regarding the various periods of time, from the parish’s formation in 1939 up to 1989. That glorious event, presided by His Grace Bishop Nathaniel, marked the end of first chapter of the Romanian-American Orthodox community in Southern California, and a NEW BEGINNING, a 2nd Chapter, as so beautifully written, at that time, by His Grace, Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, in His letter dated August 10, 1989, which summarizes 50 years of existence:

“Dear Fr. Constantin, Dear Faithful of Holy Trinity Parish: From the first meeting on June 25, 1939, at the home of Petru Gherman to this day, the history of Holy Trinity has been one of much effort and growth to be a live Orthodox Christian witness in California and one which enjoys its roots in the Romanian tradition. Incorporated in 1940; purchasing its first property in that same year; its second move in 1947; its present housing in the old Holy Apostles Episcopal Church since 1949, Holy Trinity has earnestly sought to root itself permanently. The clergy who served the parish, Rev. Frs. Grigore Coste, Victor Barbulescu, Coriolan Isácu, Anchidim Useriu, and Richard Grabowski each added some particular hand to the shaping of your parish and are an intimate part of the live of the community and your personal histories. With the organizations such as the Ladies Auxiliary (1948), LAROY (1950); Orthodox Brotherhood (1970), your parish was helped on a local level and took its place on a national, Diocesan level as well. Now, on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of that foundation, the other parishes of the Episcopate, clergy and faithful, join in extending good wishes and prayers for continued spiritual growth and a further development in your new location and in your proposed new place of worship. May the first "Golden", years be the basis for many more fruitful years and renewed witness, locally and nationally. +NATHANIEL, Bishop”. That letter connects the First Chapter (50 years of existence of the Romanian-American community) with the Second Chapter (next 30 years) which leads us to the TODAY’S EVENTS. Actually, thirty years later, the Archpastor’s message of 1989 applies ad litteram to these celebrations (if we just replace the words “50TH anniversary” with the “80th anniversary”) therefore below in the First Part we just recap in summary the order of events (1939-1982):

PART I

The beginnings - The church’s priests & special events during Archbishop Valerian’s time

The "Holy Trinity" Romanian Orthodox Church in Los Angeles, is part of the ROEA Episcopate, "Vatra Românească, Detroit, Michigan, a Diocese of the American Orthodox Church, under the omophorion of His Eminence Dr NATHANIEL (Popp), Archbishop of Detroit and The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America. During the 80 years of existence, the Holy Trinity parish was served by 6 priests:

1. Father Martin Ionescu (1939-1947). It all began on June 25, 1939, when a group of 25 people of Romanian origin held their first meeting at Petru Gherman's House at 456 N. Gage St. in Los Angeles, California, being presided by Fr. Martin Ionescu. On October 29, 1939 - The Patron Feastday was chosen “Holy Trinity” and on December 13, 1939 the church was incorporated in Sacramento, as a nonprofit organization.

2. Father Grigore Coste (1948-1957), is the church’s second parish priest.
On May 5, 1948, the parish was voted to enter the jurisdiction of the "Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America" from "Vatra Românească."
On May 27, 1950, the extraordinary General Assembly unanimously voted to buy the present property with the address: 3315 Verdugo Rd, Los Angeles, for the amount of $26.000.00.
On October 26, 1952, the church was consecrated by His Eminence Bishop Valerian D. Trifa.
On April 9, 1956, the parish bought the neighboring property, south of the church (3311 Verdugo Road) for $13,000.00.

3. The third priest of the church was the dean priest Victor Barbulescu (1957-1969), installed as parish priest October 6, 1957 by His Holiness, Bishop Valerian.
On November 13, 1960 the new parish hall was inaugurated by His Grace, Bishop Valerian.
On October 10, 1965 the General Assembly decided to purchase the property located at 3301 Verdugo Road, corner West Avenue 33. In April 1969, Fr. Victor Barbulescu died.

4. On July 20, 1969, the Parish General Assembly elected Fr Anchidim Useriu as church parish priest, being the fourth priest of the church.
On their way to California, Father Anchidim and Presbytera Uşeriu suffered a terrible car accident. Therefore during his hospitalization, Fr. Coriolan Isacu was serving as a temporary replaced priest. On March 1, 1970, the priest and preotasa Useriu arrived in Los Angeles, and served the church until November 15, 1970, when he resigned.

5. The Fifth priest was Father Richard Grabowski (1971-1982)
Fr. Richard was officially installed on May 16, 1971, by His Grace Bishop Valerian. On March 27, 1982 the ROEA’s Auxiliary Bishop His Grace Nathaniel made a canonical visit to our church.
On May 15, 1982, Fr Richard Grabowski announced the parishioners his transfer to St. Mary’s Parish in Cleveland, Ohio, effective June 27, 1982.

6. His Eminence Archbishop Valerian appointed Fr Constantin Alecse from St. Paul, Minnesota, as the sixth priest of the church, effective October 1, 1982. Fr. Constantine Alecse pastored the Holy Trinity Church from 1982 to present, for 37 years, almost half of this parish’s history.

PART II

Archbishop Nathaniel at the helm of ROEA for almost 40 years

First of all we do congratulate His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel who has chosen to celebrate with us His 79th Birthday Anniversary (born on June 12, 1940), and, in anticipation, His 39th Anniversary of His Consecration to the Holy Episcopacy (November 15, 1980). FOR MANY YEARS, O MASTER!
At the request of Archbishop Valerian, who felt the need for assistance in the administration of the expansive diocese, the Special Congress of The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate called to order on September 20, 1980, and presided by His Eminence Valerian elected Fr. Nathaniel Popp as ROEA’s auxiliary bishop, who was consecrated to the Episcopacy on November 15, 1980. He assisted Archbishop Valerian in this capacity until 1984, when the latter retired and relocated to Portugal. On Sunday, November 17, 1984, Bishop Nathaniel was enthroned as ruling Hierarch of The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America. Among his first priorities for the Diocese was the reorganization of the Episcopate's Deaneries, in order to make the work of the administering the parishes and the new established missions as efficient as possible. Ever since and until today, His Eminence has overseen the tremendous growth and expansion of His diocese with over 40 new missions/parishes, and monastic communities for women and monastic communities for men). Among the newly reorganized/organized deaneries, was "The Pacific Coast Deanery", entrusting Fr. Constantin Alecse, with the honor of administrating this deanery for almost 30 years (1985-2014). Since the time of the founding of this deanery, 19-20 April 1985, the Diocese grew on the Pacific Coast from 5 parishes, assigned to the newly established deanery, to a total of 18 parishes / missions, and a monastery, in six (6) states: Arizona (2), California (9), Colorado (2), Nevada (1), Oregon (2), Washington (1). With the Blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel, during these 3 plus decades of ministry in Los Angeles, a number of more than 30 priests, deacons, sub-deacons, who later-on became priests themselves, were affiliated, churched or simply (being visitors from Romania for a longer period of time), were allowed to serve in this parish, or some other parishes of the deanery (at the request of the Hierarch, as follows (in alphabetical order): Andrisoaie John (priest), Anton Virgil (priest), Avramescu Cornel (priest), Bena Iosif (deacon), Bulboaca Paraschiv (priest), Capsa Iustin (priest), Cerghizan Mihai (priest), Constantinescu Liviu George (sub-deacon) Costin Aurel (priest), Cufuioti Panait Lucian (sub-deacon), Dobre Mircea (priest), Dumitrascu Irinel (priest), Frunza Anton (priest), Lapustea Constantin (priest), Mihalache Marian (priest), Mitescu Catalin (priest), Palanceanu Danut (priest), Parau Vasile (priest), Popescu Costin (priest), Sarchizian Minas (chaplain 1999), Simonca Vasile (deacon), Stoica Narcis (priest), Suciu Virgil (priest), Tudose Mirel (priest), Vamvulescu Gabriel (sub-deacon), and others.
There could be no higher honor for me during nearly 40 years of Serving the Lord in the ROEA Diocese (1980-2019) than serving as a humble priest in 2 parishes (St. Paul, MN and Los Angeles, CA), serving the diocese and its Hierarchs, and especially trying to help as much as I could, while I have known His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel, as dean, for almost 3 decades. Your Eminence, thank-you and Bless and forgive me “the prodigal son”!

Specific activities of the Holy Trinity Church during 1982-2019

For more than 30 years, the church has printed the"Christian Life" magazine, a publication, printed in color, with a circulation of about 1,000 copies, initially monthly, then bimonthly, and in recent years, quarterly appearance, both in printed form, and in virtual. The magazine features in its pages the spiritual, pastoral, cultural, administrative and missionary life of the Holy Trinity Church. It includes, among other things, sermons, meditations, community announcements, parochial activity reports, program schedules, and religious education data in the parish, as well as ordinary or occasional diverse religious services. Through it, it connects with the parishioners and all the benefactors of the parish, thus announcing to all, the community, religious and social-cultural events. Thus even those who, from blessed reasons, do not regularly participate in the sacred ministry, feel part of our "great family", and have at their disposal all our contact details at any moment so that they can easily call for church services.

Church Anniversaries, Clergy Ordinations & other Special Events:

As in the time of his predecessors, Fr Constantin Alecse has, over the past four decades, put a great emphasis on special anniversaries, parish events and clergy ordinations: The Ordination to the Holy Priesthood of deacon dr. Catalin Mitescu - Sunday, February 15, 1987 - The Hierarchal Divine Liturgy officiated by His Eminence Bishop Nathaniel Popp (ROEA). The Ordination of Deacon Mitescu took place during the Hierarchical Liturgy. Co-serving priests: Constantin Alecse, parish priest, Constantin Tofan, Florian Galdau, George Zmed, Aurel Costin, Paraschiv Bulboaca and John Limbeson. During the special banquet, the Sunday School Orchestra (conductor prof. Alex Nita) offered a very nice and memorable cultural program. The 50th anniversary of the church - Golden Jubilee - 23-24 September 1989, festive events, celebrating 50 years of existence (1939-1989). On this occasion, a special bilingual edition of more than 300 pages was printed. The Jubilee events were presided by His Grace Bishop Nathaniel. At the Divine Liturgy the Hierarch was assisted by Rev. Frs. Constantin Alecse and Mihai Cerghizan. The Anniversary banquet was attended by some 400 people. The cultural program was provided by the "Rapsodia”, parish school of music, consisting of about 10 vocalists, pianists, violins, etc. Between 7-10 November 1991 His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel visited Southern California. On Sunday, November 10, 1991 His Eminence ordained Deacon Eugen Rosu, in our church, to the Holy Priesthood, for the parish of “The Holy Archangels” of Palm Springs.
The Hierarch was assisted during the Divine Service by: Father Constantin Alecse, Father Cătălin Mitescu, Hieromonk Irineu (from "Sâmbata de Sus" Monastery, Ardeal, now Vicar Bishop of the Vatra Românească Episcopate), pr. Ioan Preoteasa, from Phoenix AZ, Fr. Traian Herdea, from Cluj and Fr. Traian Moţiu from Arad. A banquet followed, with about 350 participants. The Actor Florin Piersic, in an informal setting, shared with the audience some words of spirit, and unforgettable memoires. The 60th anniversary, 6 to 8 November 1999, was held under the high patronage of His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel. On Saturday, November 6, the Vespers Service was pontificated by Archbishop + Nathaniel, assisted by a co-servants Constantine Alecse, Richard Grabowski, Constantin Tofan, Dr. Catalin Mitescu and John Limbeson, former deacons at the Holy Trinity Church, Archimandrite Nikodim (Remus) Bibarts, Bulgarian parish "Saint John the Baptist", Fr. Mihai Carpinişan, the Romanian Diocese led by His Eminence Archbishop Victorin, Anton Florian Frunza and Ioan Poptelecan (former assistant priests of our church), Andrew Lasko, assistant priest at Saint Anna Church in Pomona, and deacon Vasile Simonca. At Sunday's service, November 7, 1999, the Divine Liturgy was pontificated by His Eminence Archbishop +Nathaniel, helped by a sobor of 12 co-servants: Constantin Alecse, Richard Grabowski and Constantin Tofan, Catalin Mitescu and John Limbeson, Minas Sarchizian, Anton Florian Frunza, John Poptelecan, Gheorghe Libotean, Vasile Latiş, from Houston TX, Virgil Suciu from Phoenix, AZ and Deacon Vasile Simonca. At the anniversary banquet, held in the large parish hall, more than 300 people attended. Among special guests was Dr. Nicolae Constantinescu, the General Consul of Romania in Los Angeles, accompanied by 6 participants, members of the consular staff. The 65th anniversary of the church, 6-7 November 2004, followed, presided by His Eminence +Archbishop Nathaniel, who, on November 7th pontificated the Hierarchical Liturgy, and blessed Dr. Razvan Iosif Bena as sub-deacon. The festive anniversary banquet was held at the Hilton Hotel in Glendale, California. The 70th Anniversary of the Holy Trinity Church, June 7, 2009. At this anniversary, for blessed reasons, His Eminence Archbishop +Nathaniel was not able to be with us, but he has sent us His Archpastoral Blessings. The celebrations of the 75th Anniversary of the Holy Trinity Church, June 8, 2014, were chaired by IPS Archbishop Nathaniel. On this anniversary, the Church received a New Holy Antimisios, signed by IPS Sa + Archbishop Nathaniel, in which lay the Holy Relics of "St. Akakios Kavsocalivites, from Mt. Athos".

The celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Church, are held this year 15 to 17 June 2019, under the High Patronage of His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel. On this occasion the theologian Florin Iftode was ordained to the Holy Diaconate (Saturday, June 15) and Holy Priesthood on Pentecost Sunday (June 16, 2019). Also, on the same occasion the encyclopedia "Românii din California" by Prof. Dr. Dan Fornade is presented.
Cultural and social activities: The Holy Trinity Church in Los Angeles served the Romanian-American community in Southern California, first and foremost through the Liturgical Services, held regularly throughout the year; through keeping the Romanian traditions in connection with the Special Feastdays such as: Holy Easter, Christmas, and other religious celebrations throughout the year, through sermons, catechesis and other religious educational programs, including religious classes, etc., and by publishing the parish monthly "Christian Life" magazine, for more than 30 years, which has a circulation of about 1,000 copies. Later-on it was published bimonthly, and in the last few years, having a quarterly appearance, both in print format and virtual form. Through the use of all mass-media as means to preaching and ministering to Christ with modern means of communication, such as television, radio, Internet, FaceBook, etc., affirming with Apostle Paul: "I have all done everything, that in any way I may save some" (1 Corinthians IX, 22). That doesn’t mean in any way that we use these means as "substitute" to the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Through cultural and social activities: Over the years, the church organized various national and cultural events, where personalities of Romanian culture were evoked, through various programs and social activities, often with the participation of local artists or artists coming either from Romania or from other states. For example, during the years 1982-2019, the Holy Trinity Church was visited by great personalities of Romanian culture, cinema and politics, such as His Majesty King Michael of Romania; His Eminence Dr. Emil Constantinescu, President of Romania; Senator Ion Raţiu; His Excellency Mircea Geoana, at that time (1997) being the ambassador of Romania to Washington; writer Mihai Botez, later-on general consul of Romania in Los Angeles; poet Grigore Vieru, renowned orchestra and choir conductors Sergiu Celibidache, and Marin Constantin, the founder of Madrigal; film directors, writers, TV documentaries presenters, Romanian and American actors and artists, choirs and choral formations such as Madrigal, Axios, Ars Carminis; renown orchestra such as the Lăutarii Orchestra, led by Nicolae Bot Gros (Chisinau), the Radu Goldis orchestra (Los Angeles), the Dumitru Grigorut orchestra (Chicago), international folklor teams: from Canada (1989), Chicago and Bucharest (1994) , "Timişul" (Romania), "Izvoraşul" (Minnesota, 2001), "Mugurel" and "Crăiţele" (Los Angeles), as well as folk groups from Serbian and Greek churches in Southern California. Also, by organizing Romanian festivals, picnics, New Years Eve parties, fashion shows, etc. It is worth mentioning the Romanian-American Festival of 6-7 July 2002 organized by the Church of the Holy Trinity, which brought together about 6000 participants, of whom about 1,000 were Americans. In conclusion, from the above mentioned events, it is clear that Romanians come to the church for services, but also for socializing, to meet other Romanians, to have fun in social and cultural activities, festivals, picnics, special anniversaries, and other parties. Through participation in as many civic activities as possible, for many years, such as Los Angeles Municipal Board of Directors, at the City Hall, Board of Supervisors (prayers, benedictions), or TV stations, TV and radio interviews, public discussions, Hollywood Bowl participations (twice for Easter Sunrise celebrations), etc. As pastor of the Orthodox Church, receiving diplomas, and certificates of recognition for participating in such civic activities, I consider it to be an honor bestowed on the Church that we, the clergy (my predecessors included) served for 80 years. In fact, such diplomas, distinctions and other certificates of gratitude, which are offered to many of the servants of Romanian churches in America, or to other community leaders of ethnic groups, organizations, societies or other institutions of this kind, by the civic authorities, local, or federal, prove that these ethical institutions have continuously deployed and carried out meritorious activities within the American society, thus bringing a substantial contribution to the good course of the American society, in which we all live, affirming on local or federal levels, through the inter-ethnic activities such as festivals and other national events. The contributions of the Romanians to the American society prove unequivocally that the Romanians in America have a significant role to play. The Romanians are “Romanian” only until they get involved in the affairs of American society. From that point on, Romanians become Romanian Americans, or Americans of Romanian origin. By engaging in the affairs of American society, Romanians are often the leaders of the society we all live in. That brings to my mind at least two examples, who influenced tremendously the American Society, or even the world, such as: Pierre Manon (Petre Manolescu), who, in the time of Governor of California, Ronald Reagan (who later became the 40th president of America), was the president of the California Republican Heritage Groups, and the most famous Professor dr. George Palade, physician and American scientist of Romanian origin, specialist in cell biology, awarded in 1974 the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine. Prof. Dr. Dan Fornade, who will, in a little while, will present the Encyclopedia ROMÂNII DIN CALIFORNIA, and will elaborate on dozens or even hundreds of such cases. Capital Remodeling 2017-2019: In anticipation of the 80th anniversary of the church, the parish council has made capital church remodeling to the Church and its auxiliaries, inside and outside, including arranging the garden in the inner courtyard of the church, and finalizing a costly project, but extremely necessary and needed: the installation of a system of 116 solar panels that meets all the requirements of the City Hall, the Safety and Security Department and the DWP Departments.

The election of Vicar Bishop Dr. Dan Hoarste

At the week end of August 30-31, 2019, the ROEA Episcopate held its annual Diocesan Congress, with a special session for electing a Vicar-Bishop. Clergy and lay representatives from over 100 ROEA churches in the US and Canada participated, with a total of over 200 delegates. Father Constantin Alecse, parish of the "Holy Trinity" Romanian Orthodox Church in Los Angeles represented our parish as delegate. At this congress Dr. Dan Hoarste, known as Archimandrite Andrei, was elected Vicar-Bishop of the ROEA Episcopate. His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel, the ROEA Ruling Diocesan Hierarch, planned the ordination of the newly elected Vicar-Bishop, His Grace Bishop +Andrei, to be held on February 1 2020, by a Sobor of 9 Hierarchs of the OCA, presided over by the OCA Metropolitan, His Beatitude Tikhon, in the Cathedral of Saint George Romanian Orthodox, in Southfield, Michigan.

How the Coronavirus "Covid 19" affected the Church in the whole world

On January 28, 2020, the EU Presidency decided to activate the EU's Integrated Crisis Response Organization (IPCR). That is the EU's entity for crosssectoral crisis coordination at the highest level. At that time this International Forum officially announced that the entire world is witnessing a rapid spread of a virus disease called SARS-CoV-2, called Corona virus Disease, abbreviated as the "COVID-19".
His Eminence Archbishop +Nathaniel by a letter dated March 17, 2020, announced the members of ROEA's parishes and missions that "we are witnessing a terrible pandemic that has taken over the world, including our own country ... therefore, we are all urged to avoid any meetings ... including the meetings within the parishes and missions of: liturgical, administrative and social nature, at least until March 31, 2020.
On April 2, 2020 His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel sent to all ROEA's parishes and missions a Archipastoral Directive Letter giving guidance to the priests and faiothful regarding the Holy and Great Lent of the 2020 Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord, stating that ALL THE CHURCHES AND MISSIONS WILL STAY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC DURING THE HOLY LENT, HOLY PASSION WEEK, THE HOLY RESURRECTION, THE BRIGHT WEEK until ST. THOMAS SUNDAY (April 26, 2020), which means, the whole month of April 2020. It is for the first time in the history of the Episcopate, and in the vast majority of Christian Churches around the world, when the Holy Churches are closed for the Great Feasts-Days related to the Feast of the Holy Resurrection of the Lord.

Final message from the 80th anniversary of the church.

Until 1977, the Holy Trinity Church in Los Angeles, California, was the only Romanian Church West of the Mississippi. This year, when we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the church, we can rightly state that this anniversary does not belong exclusively to our parish, but belongs to the entire Romanian-American community in California, therefore our message is clear: Let’s be grateful to our forerunners, let’s remain steadfast in the faith, let us not forget our vocation and Christ’s commandment to teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy One Spirit, teaching them to keep all that the Lord has commanded us, for He is with us all the days until the end of the age (Matthew XXVIII, 19-20). Only then will we be able to exclaim with the Apostle Paul that "We fought the good fight, the journey we did fulfill, and the faith we have guarded" (2 Timothy IV, 7).

In honor of this historical celebration the Parish General Assembly of 2019 decided to print 10 PICTORIAL ALBUMS, with over 2,000 pictures, titled HOLY TRINITY ROC - 80 YEARS OF EXISTENCE IN IMAGES, depicting all the aspects of the Parish Life: