This year marks the 81st anniversary of the Romanian Orthodox Parish of Annunciation on the land of the great metropolis of Cleveland. Since its founding, September 2, 1936, this parish has served the spiritual needs of its faithful at three addresses, the last for 48 years in the city of Rocky River.

15 years ago it was born and announced the idea of ​​renewing by purchasing or building a new place of worship, which happened in 2016. After an earnest and praiseworthy work, the newly purchased church and the annexes received improvements. The place of worship was transformed from a Protestant into an Orthodox style. On Sunday, September 3, 2017, the last Divine Liturgy was served at the Rocky River location, 3300 Wooster Rd., when the priest and believers on their knees thanked God for the blessed years in praising the Orthodox faith there.

The weekend of September 9-10, 2017 was a true feast of joy through the services officiated at the new location at 7140 Fitch Rd., Olmsted Township 44138. A distinguished sobor of clergy gave magnificence to this historical moment. Saturday, at Vespers and Memorial Service for the founders, served: His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae, Father Mircea Panciuk, Dean of the Western Canada and priest at the historical parish of Boian, Alberta; Father John Ioniţă accompanied by Psa. Georgeta, former Eparchial Vicar, from New St. George Parish in East Chicago, Indiana; Hieromonk Atanasie Popescu, from Ss. Constantine and Helen Cathedral, Chicago; Fr. Costas Keares, President of the Orthodox Clergy Association of Cleveland; Fr. John Naconachny, accompanied by Panimatka Marianne, from the Ukrainian Parish St. Vladimir, Parma, OH and Father Ion Gherman, the parish priest of the Annunciation Cathedral for 32 years, supported in the pastoral mission by Preoteasa Dorina.

On Sunday, September 10, the same clergy, less local priests, in the presence of more than 200 believers, blessed the water and the oil, anointed and sprinkled with blessed water the sanctuary and all the rooms. This is rarely seen by most believers.

It continued with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, followed by the sermon of Metropolitan Nicolae, the words of Pr. Ion Gherman, then handed out the diplomas of the winners at the Metropolitan Olympics of Religion. The believers were sprinkled with blessed water and received an icon from their hierarch. Those who wished took part in a festive banquet where merit diplomas were offered to some hardworking volunteers.

Here is a page in the history of the Romanian Orthodox Annunciation Cathedral in Cleveland. "Blessed be the name of the LORD now and forever", for this blessed, beautiful and bright feast!

Father Ion Gherman