The believers of the Saint John Cassian Mission in San Antonio, Texas, received the visit of HE Metropolitan Nicolae on the second Saturday and Sunday of the Great Lent. Metropolitan Nicolae attended the celebrations organized on the occasion of the feast day of the church, along with Father Dean Calin Barbolovici, Fr. Dumitru Ilies from St. Mary parish in Austin, Fr. Valentin Ilies, the priest of the San Antonio church, parish faithful, and guests.

The celebrations began on Saturday, March 3rd, with the Vespers service and the Byzantine Music Concert offered by special guests, members of Saint Dionisios Exiguus Choir of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, coordinated by Fr. Marian Jianu. The concert called "CHRIST IS IN OUR MINDST" marked the celebration of the Centenary of the Great Union of 1918 in the Romanian Patriarchate and enjoyed the presence of over 200 people, Romanian Orthodox Christians, Greeks, Antiochians, Russians, Americans, but also many friends of other confessions.

Sunday, March 4, began with the Divine Liturgy officiated by HE Nicolae and the priests present, the answers at the choir being given by the Byzantine Group of Italy.

In his homily, Metropolitan Nicolae referred to the personality and teachings of St. Gregory Palamas, and spoke of the life and mission of Saint John Cassian, but also of the connection between the two fathers of the Church. He also talked about the value of the fast which, along with prayer, gives spiritual meaning to our lives. After the Divine Liturgy, followed the brotherly lenten meal prepared with much labor and care by the ladies of the San Antonio church.

Also on Sunday, March 4, the Orthodox Romanian community in San Antonio experienced a moment of spiritual joy and emotion. Metropolitan Nicolae blessed the corner stone on the recently bought land for the construction of the first Romanian Orthodox church in this area. In the speech at the end of the service, HE Nicolae urged Father Valentin and the believers who assumed this project to put their hope in God and engage all in achieving this goal with much courage, responsibility, and realism.

We give glory to God and ask Saint John Cassian to take care of the Orthodox Romanians in San Antonio!

Fr. Valentin Ilies