On Saturday, February 24, 2018, on the eve of Orthodoxy Sunday, a group of Romanian Christians from Calgary took part in a historic event at the Ambassador Motor Inn: the establishment of the new Holy Trinity parish, under the omophorion His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada. The establishment of this parish had been approved by the Diocesan Council in response to a request from a large number of Romanian Orthodox believers in this vibrant Alberta town.

This is the second Romanian Orthodox parish in Calgary under the omophorion of His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian and the fourth parish in Alberta, after Saint Mary of Boian, Saint Constantine and Helena of Edmonton and Holy Apostle Andrew of Calgary.

This important event was attended by: Reverend Father George Bazgan Administrative Vicar from Edmonton, Reverend Father Mircea Panciuk, Dean from Boian, Reverend Fathers Vasile Moisi and Lucian Moldovan from the Holy Apostle Andrew parish, as well as Reverend Father Ovidiu Moldovan, the new parish priest of the newly established Holy Trinity parish.

The service of sanctification of the vessels and liturgical objects for the new community was followed by the TeDeum service, during which the Reverend Fathers brought thanks to God for the gifts bestowed upon the Romanian Orthodox believers in Calgary, as well as requests for renewed blessings for the members of the new parish.

At the end of the service, Reverend Father George Bazgan Vicar gave a speech, sharing the blessing of His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian and urging the present members to embark on this journey with humility, constant prayers and hope in the Merciful God, being aware of the fact that they all are liturgical beings, and that their common religious goals, under the sheperding of Reverend Father Ovidiu, must be put into the service of the living church, whose final destination is the Eternal Kingdom of God.    

In the order of the events, the General Assembly presided by Father Mircea Panciuk, Dean followed. The goal of the assembly was to choose the Interim Parish Council, as found in the Statute of our Episcopate. After the signing of the founding members present, a Secretary was chosen and, through secret vote, the nine members of the Parish Council were chosen.  

President, Constantin Varna; Vice President, Florian Cirstea; Secretary, Alexandra-Maria Sterea; Treasurer, Alina Savlovschi; Counselors, Stefan Constantinescu, Magdalena Branescu, Valentin Criste; Financial Auditors, Victoria Pop, Alexandru Pop. These members will make decisions to ensure the proper functioning of the Parish.

Father Panciuk advised the two churches, Holy Trinity and Holy Apostle Andrew, to organize together, once a month, an event, like a Holy Unction Service, celebration of the church, activities for children and youth, etc.  He also reminded those present that “You are doing God’s work, you are God’s hands”.

Reverend Father Ovidiu Moldovan expressed his joy and gratefulness for the new Parish being created. He thanked the members for all their volunteering efforts and for their donations of religious objects to the church. These kind gestures are contributing to making the church and the community stronger and more united.

Thanks were given to the Porozni Family, owners of the Ambassador Motor Inn,  who offered the space for the church’s events on February 24.