RomanianOrthodox540
Archishop set to open new parish in Norwich 

By Keith Morris

2010: A second Archbishop within a few days is set to visit Norwich to officially open a brand new Romanian Orthodox parish in one of the city’s oldest church buildings.

The Romanian Orthodox community in Norwich and East Anglia has recently found a new home in St Clements Church on Colegate in Norwich (NR3 1HZ).  

The official inauguration of the parish of Martyr Philothea and Saint Bede the Venerable will now take place at the church on Sunday, December 19, presided over by his eminence Joseph, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Romanian Metropolis of Western and Central Europe.

Priest-in-charge, Revd Dr Liviu Barbu said: “Over the last year we have changed several locations. We used a former Anglican church which is a centre for helping the homeless, then this summer we were at a farm in Hedenham. After many wanderings, we found a house of prayer, a very beautiful church dedicated to Saint Clement, one of the oldest in the city of Norwich.

"We are happy that we managed to rent the church for the use of our community. Rory Quinn, Lucy Santos and Michael Wingate of Norwich Historical Churches Trust have kindly facilitated this move. I would also like to thank those who generously offered to share their church buildings with us following our appeal on Network Norwich & Norfolk, especially John Pountain and Revd Canon Peter Nokes of St Peter Mancroft, and Andrew Dickie of St Mary’s & St Margaret’s”.

All are welcome to the official inauguration of the parish of Martyr Philothea and Saint Bede the Venerable which combines with the baptism of Philothea Barbu and a Liturgy from 10-12 noon. The baptism and the Liturgy will be preceded by Matins (the morning service) from 8:30-10am.

All services are conducted in Romanian and English and drinks and a snack will be provided by the community after the Liturgy.

The church parish is part of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Central Europe which has its administrative office in France and is led by Archbishop Joseph. The Metropolis is part of the Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate which is in communion with other Orthodox sister Churches (of Russia, Greece, Serbia, etc.) as well as with the historical patriarchates of Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem and Constantinople. 

For more details contact Fr Liviu on 07766760171 or at fr.liviu.barbu@gmail.com

www.bornea.co.uk

Click here to read our previous article on the church

Pictured above are members of the Romanian Orthodox Community.