The faithful of Saint Callinicus of Cernica Romanian Orthodox Mission in Fredericksburg, Virginia, had the joy of having in their midst the Most Reverend Father Nicolae, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Americas. The hierarch's pastoral visit began on the afternoon of Saturday, April 13, 2024, when His Eminence Nicolae met with the members of the Parish Council to discuss the move to the future property of the church, located approximately twenty minutes north of the current location, in the town of Stafford. This is an important milestone for our community which, after many years of searching and trials, through the mercy of God and the prayers of the Holy Hierarch Callinicus, found the right place to establish a dedicated and permanent place of worship.
His Eminence then served the Great Vespers service of the 4th Sunday of Great Lent, together with the parish priest of Saint Callinicus Mission, Ionel Satnoianu, and Father Orlando Geonea from Saint Mary in Norfolk, VA, who responded with much enthusiasm to the invitation to join us for this special event in the life of the sister church. At the end of the service, a reception was provided for all present. Father David Subu along with Presbytera Stephanie from St. Mary Church in Falls Church, VA also honored us with their presence.
The next day, Sunday, April 14th, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae served the Holy and Divine Liturgy accompanied by the parish priest of the host church, John Katsoulis and the parish priest of Saint Callinicus, Ionel Satnoianu. The responses to the services were given by Reader Ionuț Lupu-Pitulice, together with a group of children from the parish. At the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, we received another blessing, the tonsure as Reader of Mr. Vasile Epure, who has been serving for many years as an Altar helper in our parish.
In his sermon, Metropolitan Nicolae mentioned that each Sunday of Great Lent has a theme, which leads to a greater self-awareness and closeness to God as a preparation to celebrate His Holy Resurrection. Then he spoke about the life of St. John of the Ladder, one of the greatest ascetics of the church who, in his famous writing The Ladder, shows us in an obvious way what are the steps to holiness and how to heal our passions. He reinforces the idea of the call to perfection, which is not only for monks, but for all Christians. St. John lived and walked this path of holiness, and later he wrote this essential work for orthodox asceticism, stemming from his own experience.
Metropolitan Nicolae also spoke about the life of the Holy Hierarch Callinicus, the many spiritual and administrative accomplishments of the abbot of Cernica, then Bishop of Râmnic and Noul Severin. Saint Callinicus also distinguished as a great spiritual father, not only for the monks, but also for the Christians who came to confess to him and ask him for advice. For his pure life of prayer and sacrifice, the Holy Hierarch Callinicus was blessed by God with the gift of healing, working miracles and casting out demons. As a bishop, he continued his spiritual and missionary work helping and strengthening the churches, both materially and spiritually, by printing religious books that he distributed free of charge for the enlightenment of the priests and the people. He was a wonderful shepherd, attentive to the needs of his flock, much loved by the believers. He was canonized in 1955, during the communist regime, a telling aspect of divine providence that reveals to us huge examples of spiritual living, for our strengthening and comfort.
In the summer of last year - June of 2023, with the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, the Holy Monastery of Cernica offered a part of the Holy Relics St. Callinicus to our Mission. Thus offering us a wonderful chance to venerate him here and make him also known in America. Through this, we are convinced that the Lord will strengthen our faith, increase Orthodox unity and bring countless gifts of joy, peace and love to people's lives. We must be convinced, however, that the Saint listens to our prayers.
His Eminence also expressed his gratitude to the Greek community for their support to our community over the years. In conclusion, he insisted on the fact that we are one church, the Orthodox Church. There are no more churches. We affirm this in the Creed as well. If we confess that we are one Church, we must also show others that we are One, that we are united, that we are brothers and sisters, servants in Christ. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the silver reliquary that contains the Holy Relics of St. Callinicus was blessed. It is a huge blessing to be able to have the Relics of our Patron Saint in the middle of our community.
On the occasion of this feast, it should be mentioned that the two communities, Greek and Romanian, prayed together. Through the goodwill of the Greek community and with the blessing of their Hierarch, the Romanian community performs services in the Greek Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Fredericksburg since December of 2015.
After Divine Liturgy, the believers participated in the fraternal agape meal prepared with much love by the ladies of the parish. Then, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae, accompanied by priest Ionel Satnoianu and a group of believers went to visit the future property of the church. We give glory to God for two days full of spiritual joy and thank our Archpastor for being with us and blessing us!
Fr. Ionel Satnoianu
