Easley, South Carolina, January 21, 2026
Photo: mitropolia.us
A Romanian Orthodox church in South Carolina was festively consecrated over the weekend by the local Romanian Metropolitan and a visiting hierarch from Romania.
The Church of St. Gregory the Theologian was consecrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas and His Grace Bishop Damaschin Dorneanul, Vicar of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți, on Sunday, January 18, crowning nearly a decade of pastoral work in the region, reports the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas.
The rite began on Saturday evening when Bp. Damaschin placed the relics of the Holy Martyrs Epictetus and Astion on the Holy Diskos following Vespers. The next morning, the hierarchs blessed the church exterior before sealing the altar table, into which fragments of the martyrs’ relics were placed. They then consecrated the church interior and iconostasis, completing rehabilitation and beautification work that began in summer 2024.
Photo: mitropolia.us
The Divine Liturgy that followed was attended by parish members and clergy and faithful from across North America.
In his sermon, Bp. Damaschin said that “the true measure of faith doesn’t consist only in observing religious practices, but in the inner transformation of the person, manifested through gratitude, charity, and authentic Christian living.”
Met. Nicolae presented the church with an icon of Christ to commemorate the consecration. Parish rector Fr. Bogdan Cojoleancă received the Order of the Holy Emperors Constantine and Elena for his missionary and pastoral work. The community presented both hierarchs with icons of St. Gregory the Theologian, and attendees received icons and cotton sponges used in the altar consecration as gifts.
Photo: mitropolia.us
The Romanian Orthodox Mission of St. Gregory the Theologian was established on August 26, 2017 through the efforts of Fr. Nicolae Clempuș. In December 2020, the community moved to its current location in Easley.
Fr. David Hudson served as parish priest beginning August 15, 2021, and the property was purchased in November of that year. Fr. Dr. Bogdan Cojoleancă, former director of the Orthodox Theological Seminary in Suceava, assumed pastoral duties on October 21, 2023. Under his guidance, the church underwent complete renovation, including construction of the altar table and iconostasis.
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