In a world affected by much turmoil and often attracted by styles of life inconsistent with those of faith, this target can be reached only if the shepherd dedicates himself to his flock through the joy to serve one\u2019s neighbour and suffering together with Christ\u2019s younger brothers (Matthew 25:40) \u2013 the local hierarch underlined<\/em>.<\/p>\n Given the characteristic needs of the Romanians and of the local members of the parishes of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe, His Grace Macarie showed that the most fruitful mission is that of the direct involvement in the spiritual and material aid granted to the helpless ones, because the people need a vivid Church present in their sufferance.<\/p>\n Thus, His Brace Macarie said, although the means of the Diocese of Northern Europe are rather precarious, one succeeded, with God\u2019s help, to help the victims of the fire from Collective club, of Bucharest, one of the young people having been hospitalised in Bergen, Norway. <\/em><\/p>\n The solidarity of the local hierarch, of the Romanian priests and faithful of Norway for sustaining the families affected by the separation from their children by the system of child\u2019s protection of this Northern country was also evoked. Common sufferance with them, pastoral visits, intercession with the state authorities and prayers for the families affected are only a few aspects of the Scandinavian pastoral mission for those in distress.<\/p>\n It was also mentioned, in this context, that the Holy Synod declared the year 2015 \u201cSolemn year of the mission of the parish and monastery today\u201d and \u201cCommemorative Year of Saint John Chrysostom and of the great shepherds of souls\u201d, as awareness of the fact that the Church is built and lived in the parish, as well as in the Christian communities.<\/p>\n Some of the events of great spiritual joy remembered were the consecrations celebrated by His Grace Bishop Macarie at the Romanian Orthodox church of \u201cSaints Martyrs and Confessors of Nasaud\u201d of Solvesborg (Sweden) on 12 September 2015 and at the altar of the Monastery of \u201cSaints Pious Macarie the Roman and Ioan Iacob from Neamt\u201d, of Ikast (Denmark), on 23 October 2015, attended by lots of Romanians settled in the Northern space.<\/p>\n The social projects initiated the previous years by the Romanian parishes of Northern Europe were also continued:<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDrop of sacrifice which redeems the ocean of indifference\u201d, project which organised fund raisings, collection of medicine and products for aiding the poor families of Romania;<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA parochial family for everybody\u201d, activity which engages the parish faithful to help a series of orphan children from Romania;<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAgape of the Brother\u201d \u2013 Sunday activity unfolded in the church after the Divine Liturgy designed to collect the aliments necessary for the social canteens;<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn peace to go\u201d \u2013 mission urging the faithful to visit the sick and lonely, bringing them the peace, joy and light they have just received at the Divine Liturgy.<\/p>\n The cultural department mentioned among its initiatives the organisation of the icons exhibition at Bergen University Museum, Norway, helped by the National Museum of Alba Iulia and by the Archdiocese of Alba Iulia, in November last year. Besides the \u201cCandela Nordului\u201d magazine of the diocese, Felicitas<\/em> publishing house has also published some other books and theological materials.<\/p>\n After inquiring about the perspectives and needs of the people, the Eparchial Assembly decided to organise greater missionary involvement of the young people while trying to provide them with a concrete frame for common growth and confession in Christ, as a moral duty to our Church, through the preservation and affirmation of our Romanian Orthodox faith and identity.<\/p>\n
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