On Thursday, four Romanian bishops and one Bulgarian bishop consecrated a church in the village of Gotești, Cantemir District, Republic of Moldova, to honor Saint Demetrius the New.
The consecration took place on the 250th anniversary of the translation of St. Demetrius the New’s relics to Bucharest. Patriarch Daniel presented the “St. Demetrius the New” Order to the parish priest Sebastian Barbălată, Father Petru Andon, and Mr. Ion Deli.
The service was conducted by Bishop Ignatie of Huși, alongside Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia, Paisie of Sinaia, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop, and Makary of Glavinitsa, Assistant Bishop to Metropolitan Naum of Ruse.
Bishop Paisie conveyed Patriarch Daniel’s message of congratulations.
“Built with much sacrifice and spiritual zeal, the new church in Gotești, in the Deanery of Cantemir and Tigheci, under the Diocese of Southern Bessarabia, dedicated to St. Demetrius the New, shows the faith and devotion of the parish’s faithful, as well as of its founders and benefactors towards Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, and God’s saints,” emphasized the Romanian Patriarch.
Additionally, Bishop Veniamin awarded the diocesan order of St. Dionysius Erhan to the mayor of Gotești and other benefactors, while other faithful involved received certificates of appreciation and icons depicting St. Demetrius the New.
Bishop Veniamin was also named an honorary citizen of Gotești.
The St. Demetrius the New Parish in Gotești was established in 2021, and the foundation stone of the newly consecrated church was blessed in February 2022.
The frescoes, done in al secco technique, were painted by artist Cosmin Țugui. Among the depicted scenes is the Translation of the Relics of St. Demetrius the New to Bucharest—contemporary Bessarabian saints, such as Sts. Alexander Baltagă and Heraclius Flocea are also represented.
Photo: Diocese of Southern Bessarabia
Source: basilica.ro