Douglas, Isle of Man, June 24, 2025
Photo: roarch.org.uk
In a historic milestone for the Romanian Orthodox community, the first Divine Liturgy in the Romanian language was celebrated on the Isle of Man on Sunday, June 22, marking the Sunday of All Romanian Saints.
The service took place at Saint George’s Anglican Church in Douglas, celebrated by Fr. Ciprian Mihail Badin, parish priest of the Romanian church in Preston, reports the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The Romanian community present responded with deep emotion and gratitude to this landmark event. Many faithful expressed their strong desire to participate regularly in liturgical life, having previously lacked access to services in their ancestral language. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, several children approached the holy chalice with reverence and received Holy Communion, creating what organizers described as “a moment of comfort and spiritual strengthening for both the spiritual fathers and the entire community.”
Photo: roarch.org.uk
The Isle of Man, situated in the Irish Sea between Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales, carries a profound Christian heritage dating back to the earliest centuries of Christianity. The island is particularly connected with St. Patrick, who established churches there, along with numerous other Celtic saints who ministered to its people. The ancient Celtic Orthodox tradition flourished for centuries before being replaced by Roman Catholicism in the 12th century, and the island has preserved an abundance of early Christian monuments, including ancient chapels called “keeils,” holy wells, and Celtic crosses. Today, various Orthodox communities have found a home on this historically sacred ground.
Fr. Badin’s journey to reach the island—over four hours by ferry—demonstrates what the Archdiocese describes as “a living testimony of sacrifice and love for one’s neighbor in Christ.”
Photo: roarch.org.uk
The establishment of this new mission represents part of the Archdiocese’s expanded efforts to serve Romanian Orthodox faithful throughout the British Isles. With a population of over 80,000 on the Isle of Man, the island’s status as a UK Crown Dependency has made it home to various international communities, including a growing Romanian presence.
Church officials expressed hope that this missionary work, begun under the protection of the Romanian Saints, will continue to grow and serve the spiritual needs of Orthodox faithful on the island. Plans are underway to establish regular services and pastoral care for the community.
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