Cavnic, Maramureș County, Romania, June 11, 2025
Photo: Diocese of Maramureș and Sătmar
The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Maramureș and Sătmar blessed and delivered its 39th house through a philanthropic initiative, providing a new home to a single-parent family with nine children that lost its residence in a fire.
His Grace Bishop Iustin of Maramureș and Sătmar blessed the St. Nona House in Cavnic on Wednesday, June 4, after it was officially given to the Bila Family on June 1, the diocese reports.
Photo: Diocese of Maramureș and Sătmar
The project resulted from collaboration between multiple organizations. The Diocese of Maramureș and Sătmar’s Build a House, Build Souls initiative partnered with the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Spain and Portugal’s Heart of a Parent and Love for Abandoned Children program. Additional funding came from a laywoman in Vienna.
The house was acquired and provided free of charge through the Maramureș Philanthropy Association, which operates as a member of the Philanthropy Federation under Holy Synod blessing.
The Bila Family from Cavnic, Maramureș County, had been left homeless following what officials described as a devastating fire.
Photo: Diocese of Maramureș and Sătmar
The diocese writes about the importance of such philanthropic acts:
This endeavor involves not just walls and roof, but is, above all, a restoration of human dignity and a reaffirmation of Christian values through concrete deeds, in the spirit of the Gospel lived through actions.
Through the acquisition and free offering of a new house, the Church offers not just a roof over their heads, but the chance of a new beginning for a family in a difficult situation. It’s a concrete sign of the care and responsibility that the Church has toward the vulnerable, especially children and large families.
This common work isn’t just a charitable act, but a living witness to the Gospel through deeds. By building houses, the Church builds souls. And through love, solidarity and responsibility, dignity, security and trust in people are restored to those in need.
Such projects not only change lives, but remind us all that good deeds are the universal language of Christ's love.
The diocese’s housing program has now provided 39 houses to families in need across the region. It has also repaired dozens of homes.
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