Saturday, April 28, 2018 was a day of great feast for the Romanian community in northern Virginia. The joyous occasion was the pastoral visit of the His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae at “St. Hierarch Callinicus of Cernica” Mission of Fredericksburg, VA. His visit started on Friday evening by meeting with the members of the Parish Council. Issues of the Mission's activities since the last visit to date have been discussed, but especially what are the future plans. The main topic was to bring a full time priest for the community.

Saturday was a day full of excitement, joy and blessing. His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae celebrated the Divine Liturgy in this Paschal period at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Fredericksburg, VA through the kindness of Father John Katsoulis and the Greek local community as well as with the blessing of HE Metropolitan Evangelos. HE Metropolitan Nicolae was accompanied by Fr. Daniel Ene, Dean of New York, New England, and Eastern USA, and administrator of St. Callinicus Mission.

At the time of the sermon, HE Metropolitan Nicolae emphasized the importance of holiness and the role of the saints in the life of each Christian, but also the responsibility that each of us has to follow their example, to preach the Orthodox faith not only with the word but also with the deeds, by participating at the Holy Services and the education we offer to our children. The sermon concluded with an urge for the faithful of St. Callinicus Mission to actively participate in the life of the Church.

After the Divine Liturgy, on the occasion of the Centennial of Great Romania, children of the Parish School prepared a patriotic program. It was a very emotional moment. Their voices, the Romanian national folk costumes and the strength they played with “We Are Romanians” or “O Lord Protect the Romanians” brought many tears in the audience.

In the social hall of the Greek church, a festive banquet was held to honor the presence of HE Metropolitan Nicolae. A specially prepared program of traditional Romanian folk dances was performed by several members of the parish.

More information, photos and videos of HE Nicolae’s pastoral visit can be found at  www.sfantulcalinic.org.

Fr. Dean Daniel Ene