Cluj, Romania, December 2, 2025
Photo: spcharity.org
St. Onufrie the Great Children’s Settlement in Floresti, Cluj County, Romania, is currently constructing two additional familial homes to provide shelter for 24 more orphaned children. The main structure walls are finished, but additional work is needed for the buildings to become functional.
The orphanage launched a fundraiser called A Window for an Orphan in November 2024 to collect funds for 58 windows and 4 entrance doors needed for the new construction. Once completed, the two homes will increase the settlement’s capacity to 48 residential children, according to a newsletter from the St. Paraskeva Orthodox Charity, which supports the orphanage.
The facility currently houses 24 children—12 boys and 12 girls—in two fully operational familial homes under the guidance of Father Visarion Pasca and local volunteers. Beyond residential care, the association provides food and clothing to over 137 children living in economically disadvantaged families across Romania.
Photo: spcharity.org
The settlement was established in 2012 after His Eminence Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj gave his blessing for the creation of the St. Onufrie Philanthropic Association. The groundbreaking took place on May 12, 2013. The mission of the association is to protect underprivileged children who are temporarily or permanently separated from their parents and to provide them with a home, education, care, guidance, and love.
Archimandrite Visarion of the nearby Holy Protection of Our Lady of Florești Monastery noted that the project began with the vision of His Eminence Metropolitan Bartolomeu of Cluj (†2011), who wished for a children’s home near the monastery.
The St. Paraskeva Orthodox Charity has been the orphanage’s primary financial supporter since 2015, contributing $398,920 between 2015 and 2025. It sponsored the construction of the first familial home, which was named after St. Paraskeva. Other SPOC-funded projects include new furniture, a multi-functional building with storage space, a children’s library, and a recreational park. The charity also facilitated the lease and eventual purchase of a minibus for transporting children to school and activities.
The church at the orphanage was consecrated earlier this year. Photo: spcharity.org
The kitchen facility currently provides 50 to 60 meals daily for those in need. A new dining area under construction will expand this capacity to 200 people. SPOC also funded the iconography in the orphanage church and provides annual Easter and Christmas gifts for the children.
Donations to support the orphanage can be made through the charity website.
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