The Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of
America
Pacific Coast Deanery
3315 VERDUGO ROAD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90065
Office (323) 255-8583 Home (818) 365-4274 Fax (818) 688-3965
E-mail: preot@biserica.org
V. Rev. Fr. Constantin Alecse, Dean
PACIFIC COAST DEANERY
ANNUAL REPORT
(2004-2005)
PARISHES &
MISSIONS
The Pacific Coast Deanery, one of the 7 Deaneries of the Romanian
Orthodox Episcopate of America, has 16 parishes and missions assigned, covering
7 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and
Washington State.
During the last semester of 2004 and first part of 2005 all of
the parishes and missions carried on their religious, educational and social
programs, as set forth by their clergy and parish councils, according to the
schedules published in their parish bulletins, occasional fliers, and/or
web-sites (for those parishes that have web-pages).
Due to the geographical distances between the parishes and
missions, the deanery could not held deanery meetings as often as it should
have. However, contacts among the clergy, the Episcopate and the deanery, were
held year-around; both Hierarchs of the Episcopate visited the deanery’s
parishes and missions on several occasions: Pastoral and canonical visits,
special occasions (anniversaries, consecrations and ordinations, the November
2004 West Coast retreat, etc).
More than half of the parishes and missions are currently
involved in building projects, while some others have recently completed such
programs.
|
|
|
|
|
ROEA – Întâlnirea Ierarhilor cu protopopii |
CLERGY CHANGES
During the
stated period of time the following Clergy Changes occurred in this Deanery:
- Rev. Fr. Gabriel Bulz,
accepted in ROEA on February 2004, was assigned as parish priest of the
Holy Nativity of the Lord Mission, in Albuquerque, NM.
- Rev. Fr. Virgil Anton was
released of his duties as administrator of The Holy Cross Mission in San
Diego, and attached to the Holy Trinity parish in Los Angeles, CA,
effective August 14, 2004.
- Rev. Fr. Gheorghe Liboteanu
was released from the duties at St. John the Baptizer Church, Glendale,
Arizona, on August 17, 2004.
- Rev Fr Alin Munteanu was
assigned as parish priest of St.
John the Baptizer Parish in Glendale, Arizona, effective September 1,
2004.
- Sub-deacon dr. Razvan Iosif
Bena was ordained to the Holy Deaconate by His Eminence Archbishop
Nathaniel, on Sunday November 7, 2004 and assigned as parish deacon to the
Holy Trinity Church in Los Angeles, California.
- Rev. Fr. Adrian Manea was
assigned as temporary administrator to The Holy Cross Mission in San
Diego, CA, effective December 1, 2004.
- Rev. Fr. William John (Bill)
Clark, who moved to Prescott, AZ, on March 31, 2005, remains attached to
the Holy Trinity Church in Los Angeles, CA – until His Eminence Archbishop
Nathaniel will give him new assignments.
LOCAL ACTIVITIES & HIERARCHICAL
VISITS:
ARIZONA
St. John the Baptist Church,
Glendale, AZ - Rev Fr Alin Munteanu, Parish Priest; Rev. Virgil Suciu and Rev.
Filimon Barbos, Attached.
Web-page: http://www.stjohnglendale.org/
Hierarchical
Visits: His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel attended the Orthodox Brotherhood
Annual Conference (October 22-28, 2004).
Saturday -
October 23: Great Vespers.
Sunday -
October 24 – Divine Liturgy & banquet.
Sunday - April
25, 2005 – Hierarchical Divine Liturgy by His Grace Bishop Irineu.
St. Parascheva Mission, Phoenix, AZ
- Rev. Vasile Parau, Parish Priest
Web-page: http://www.users.qwest.net/~tantalica/sfantaparascheva.html
Hierarchical visits: Since Saturday, January 17, 2004,
when the parish was visited by His Grace Bishop Irineu, no other Hierarchical
visits took place. However, the parish priest and faithful did attend the
above-mentioned Hierarchical Services that were held at the St. John the
Baptizer parish in Glendale, AZ; The priest and faithful are dedicated to
holding regular services and attracting more members.
CALIFORNIA
Falling Asleep of the Ever-Virgin Mary
Church, Anaheim, CA -
Rev. Cornel Avramescu, Parish Priest.
Web page: http://www.saint-mary-anaheim.org/
A
trimestrial church bulletin
“Buna-Vestire” (printed and electronic format):
Weekly Sermons
- http://www.saint-mary-anaheim.org/ro/predici.html
Building
program: The iconography is almost complete, and arrangements are sought to be
made with His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel for the consecration of the Church.
Hierarchical visits: Sts. Archangels Michael &
Gabriel’s Feast-day - November 8, 2004 – Hierarchical Liturgy by His Grace
Bishop Irineu.
St. John the Evangelist Mission,
Claremont, CA - Rev. dr. Catalin Mitescu, Administrator
In 1985, His
Grace Bishop Nathaniel (His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel) gave His Blessing to
have the St. John the Evangelist Mission established as an “Orthodox presence”
at the Claremont Colleges.
Although
services are very rarely held at that Mission (as Rev. dr. Mitescu serves
regularly at St. Anne Parish), the existence of the Mission on the campus is
appreciated by the Orthodox students of various Church affiliations.
Holy Resurrection Church, Hayward,
CA - Rev. Dumitru Ionescu, Parish Priest.
The priest and
faithful are dedicated to holding regular services and attracting more members.
Hierarchical
visits: Saturday - November 13 – Great Vespers by His Grace Bishop Irineu
Sunday -
November 14 – Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and banquet at the 40th
Anniversary of the Church.
Saturday, May
21, 2005 – Consecration of the Church by His Grace Bishop Irineu.
Website: http://www.holyresurrectionparish.org/
Holy Trinity Church, Los Angeles,
CA - Rev. Constantin Alecse, Parish
Priest; Rev. William John Clark, Rev.
Fr. Virgil Anton (since September 2004) attached; and Rev. Fr. Deacons dr.
Iosif Razvan Bena and Vasile Simonca, attached. Web-page: http://sfantatreime.org/.
The parish
publishes a trimester “Viata Crestina”
- http://publicatii.com/
bulletin (in printed and electronic format).
Events & Hierarchical visit: November 5-7, 2004 – The 65th
Church Anniversary, presided by His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel. Saturday
November 6 – Vespers Service at the site where the new Church will be built.
Sunday, November 7 – Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and ordination of sub-deacon
dr. Razvan Iosif Bena into the Holy Deaconate. The 65th Anniversary
banquet at Hilton Hotel.
The building
project: Details about the Building Project could be found on the church’s
web-site: http://orthodoxnet.org/
With the
grading work, which will commence by mid-June 2005, the building project has
indeed started.
Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel
Church, Palm Springs,
CA
Rev. Liviu
Popa, parish priest and Rev. Silviu Vasilie, retired and attached priest.
November 6-7,
2004 - Hierarchical visit of His Grace
Bishop Irineu. Saturday – Great vespers; Sunday - Hierarchical Liturgy and
banquet.
Though very
small but very dedicated, the parish of Holy Archangels, Palm Springs, CA, has
completed the project of building its new church, and presently awaits the
consecration date from His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel.
St. Anne Church, Pomona, CA - Rev. Catalin Mitescu,
Parish Priest, Rev. Andrew J Lesko, Assistant Priest, Rev. John Limbeson,
Retired.
Web-page: http://www.stanneorthodox.org/
The parish is
working aggressively towards increasing its membership, bringing in converts
and attracting new faithful from the Pomona Valley’s Orthodox Community.
SS. Michael and Gabriel Church,
Sacramento, CA - Rev. Florin Mihalache, Parish Priest, Rev Fr. Emil Ardelean
[Deacon]. The parish, with its beautifully painted church, and the enthusiasm
of its clergy and lay-leadership is continuing its growth, both numerically and
spiritually. The parish is undertaking new programs for all ages, thus making
the Romanian Orthodoxy in the Capital of California not only a remarkable
presence but a very noticeable voice for the Orthodox community.
Hierarchical visit: November 13, 2004 – Hierarchical
Divine Liturgy by His Grace Bishop Irineu;
Holy Cross Mission, San Diego, CA - Rev Fr Adrian Manea,
Parish Priest, since December 1, 2004.
The mission
went through some difficult times in the 2nd part of 2004 and 1st
part of 2005, but remains dedicated to continuing the task of spreading the
Orthodox Faith in the greater San Diego Metropolis and surrounding areas.
Hierarchical visit: Saturday - April 16 – Great Vespers
Service; & - Sunday April 17, 2005
Hierarchical Divine Liturgy by His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel. Community
meeting with the faithful.
Holy Cross Church, San Jose, CA - Rev.
Constantin Lapustea, Parish Priest, Rev. Gheorghe G Grigorescu, Retired,
Attached.
Building
program – The building of a new church on the property the community acquired
in San Jose, a few years ago, is now under way. At the Parish General Assembly
of February 6, 2005, the parishioners appreciated the architectural plans of
architect Aurel Velculescu, and further discussed the ways and means the
community may employ to accomplish the project.
Website: http://www.sjholycross.org/
COLORADO
St. John The Hozevite Mission - Denver, Colorado. Established last year
(2004) the St. John The Hozevite Mission having a permanent priest – Rev. Fr.
Ioan Petru, Parish Priest – and two attached Clergymen: Very Rev. Fr. Dean
Constantin Tofan, and Fr. dn. Vasile Simonca, a visiting deacon from Los
Angeles, California, already took-on a building project.
Hierarchical visit: November 20-21, 2004 – His Grace
Bishop Irineu. On Saturday – The Great Vespers; Sunday – November 21 - The
blessing of the cornerstone for the new Church, followed by the Hierarchical
Divine Liturgy.
NEVADA
Falling Asleep of the Ever-Virgin Mary
Mission, Las Vegas, NV - Rev. Danut Palanceanu
Hierarchical visit: Sunday, November 14, 2004
Hierarchical visit and Divine Liturgy by His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel.
The newly
elected Parish Council, a very active and enterprising team, is presently in
the process of purchasing a property where a new church and social hall will be
built, hopefully during 2005-2006.
On both, Palm
Sunday and Easter (2005) over 300 faithful attended. The number of the faithful attending the weekly services had
increased considerably during 2005; this growth is being driven by the new and exciting spirit of becoming a
strong parish, and successfully going through building project.
Web-page: http://stmary-lasvegas.org/
NEW MEXICO
Nativity of the Lord Mission,
Albuquerque, NM. Established in the
mid-2003, the new mission, under the leadership of Rev Fr Gabriel Bulz, Parish
Priest, is lining-up its programs: administrative activities, liturgical
services, educational system (for both adults and youth), and a possible
building project.
Hierarchical visit: At the April 9-10, 2005 – the mission
community was blessed with the Hierarchical visit of His Eminence Archbishop
Nathaniel, who celebrated the Divine Liturgy and met personally with the
faithful, gathered for hierarchical blessings.
OREGON
Descent of the Holy Spirit Church, Oregon City, OR.
Under the
leadership of Rev. Fr. Vasile Muntean, the faithful of the community of “The
Descent of the Holy Spirit”, since January
2002 started the building of a “Putna” replica Church in Oregon City.
The project is
almost complete, and at present the faithful await guidance from His Eminence
Archbishop Nathaniel regarding the arrangements for future Hierarchical visits
and consecration of the Church.
Falling Asleep of the Ever-Virgin Mary
Church, Portland, OR
Since the last
visit in Portland of His Grace Bishop Irineu, on September 7, 2003, the
occasion of Patron Feast Day, the parish has been under the leadership of the
young and enthusiastic parish priest, Rev. Cosmin Vint. The community continued
the building program started during the pastorship of Fr. Romus Barr, taking it to completion. Today, the large number
of faithful attending the Church services worship in front of new iconostasis,
and numerous large painted icons throughout the church.
Web-page: http://www.sfantamaria.org/
Church
Bulletin “Cuvantul Romanesc”: hard copy & virtual
presentation.
WASHINGTON STATE
Three Hierarchs Mission, Seattle – Rev. Ioan Catana, Parish Priest
Building
program: In the last few years the parish focused on building a strong
community. In December 2004 the community purchased for $775,000 a 3 acre
property with an existing approx. 13,000 sq building, which will be remodeled
as an Orthodox Church and social hall facilities.
Presently the
parish leadership is gearing all its efforts to commence the remodeling
program.
Web-page: http://www.ortodox.org/
Monthly
bulletin “Cuvantul”, available as well on the Internet
ROEAs West Coast
Retreat
(8 to 11
November 2004)
Although the Deanery did not have anything to do with the
planning of the aforementioned retreat, we mention it due to the fact that was
held in Southern California, at the Sacred Heart (Roman Catholic) Retreat House in Alhambra,
California.
The Retreat, held during the week of November 8-11, 2004, was led by the two
Hierarchs of the ROEA (His Eminence
Archbishop Nathaniel, and His Grace Bishop Irineu) and was attended by 45
priests and deacons from across the American Continent.
DEANERY CELEBRATIONS TO
HONOR HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP NATHANIEL
(on His 25TH
Anniversary of Episcopacy)
On November 15 1980, His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel was
consecrated to the Holy Episcopacy. During 2005, on the occasion of the 25th
anniversary of His Episcopacy, all parishes and missions of the Episcopate will
organize anniversary events, coordinated by the deaneries.
In consultation with the ROEA Chancery, the Pacific Coast Deanery
is scheduled to hold such celebrations during the weekend of October 29-30,
2005. All the parishes and missions of the Pacific Coast Deanery will receive
the schedule of events before the Episcopate Congress (1-3 July, 2005).
CONCLUSIONS
As a last point of the annual report of the Pacific Coast Deanery
to the Episcopate Congress, “The 2005 Celebrations in honor
of His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel”, we take this opportunity
to thank our Archpastor, Vladica Nathaniel, for all the Hierarchical blessings,
care and love, bestowed on us all, clergy and faithful of our Deanery’s
parishes and missions, throughout all these 25 years of Archpastorship. Many
Years to You, Master!
During 2004-2005 (up to present), most of our deanery parishes
and missions have been visited by our Episcopate’s beloved Hierarchs (HE
Archbishop Nathaniel and HG Bishop Irineu) to whom we bring our offerings of
thanks and gratitude.
Finally, we wish to thank the dedicated faithful of our parishes
and missions for the courage of
living a true Christian life in these days and age, making the personal and
financial sacrifice to support their churches, and in many cases undertaking
great responsibilities to build new ones.
Last, but not least, we thank the Almighty God for protecting our
Episcopate and parishes, giving our Episcopate dedicated priests to fulfill
their calling in God’s vineyard.
Faithfully submitted,
V. Rev. Fr. Constantin
Alecse, Dean
Fr. Deacon dr. Iosif
Razvan Bena, Secretary
Back to “Viata
Crestina”