Hierarchical ministry and ordination at the Romanian Orthodox Parish of ‘Saint Andrew the Apostle’ in Dundee

On Sunday before the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, 4 January 2026, His Eminence Atanasie, the Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of Great Britain and Ireland, celebrated the Holy and Divine Liturgy at the Romanian Orthodox Parish of ‘Saint Andrew the Apostle’ in Dundee, Scotland. He was surrounded by a host of priests and deacons, in the presence of the Romanian faithful from this part of the country.

The Gospel reading appointed for this Sunday, centred on Saint John the Prophet and Forerunner of the Lord, offered a profound occasion for reflection on the call to repentance, spiritual vigilance, and inner preparation for the encounter with Christ. In his homily, His Eminence emphasised that the voice of Saint John continues to resound in the Church today, calling humanity to emerge from superficiality and inner dissipation in order to regain clarity of heart. ‘Repentance,’ the hierarch noted, ‘is not a turning back towards the past, but an opening towards truth, a reordering of life in the light of God, so that Christ may be recognised and received by each person.’

At the same time, the Archbishop underlined that ‘through Saint John the Baptist, we are called to a deep inner transformation rooted in grace; we are called to the healing of all our weaknesses. The remedy that heals all is repentance clothed in forgiveness, the mystery of forgiveness which is living and, therefore, gives life. John called the world to repentance; Christ is the One who receives repentance in order to grant forgiveness, and forgiveness is that which brings about a hidden resurrection.’

During the Divine Liturgy, Subdeacon Emanuel Brezianu was ordained to the diaconate for the Romanian Orthodox Parish of ‘Saint Andrew the Apostle’ in Dundee. The moment of ordination was one of great spiritual joy for the entire community, bearing witness to the continuity of ecclesial ministry and to the calling of young people to the service of the holy altar. Addressing the newly ordained deacon, His Eminence Atanasie emphasised that the diaconal ministry is a ministry of humility, obedience, and sacrifice, called to unite prayer with action and the altar with the concrete life of the community.

The parish feast was honoured by the presence of Ms Andreea Berechet, Consul General of Romania in Edinburgh. At the conclusion of the service, Her Excellency delivered a brief address, congratulating the parish on its good organisation, appreciating the work of the Archdiocese for the benefit of Romanians in the diaspora, and highlighting the role of parish communities in preserving spiritual and cultural identity.

The church in Dundee also has a particular historical significance, being the first Romanian Orthodox church acquired in Scotland, in 2020, a landmark moment for the Romanian Orthodox community in the region.

At the end of the service, both the parish priest, Fr Andrei Dosoftei, and the faithful expressed their gratitude to the hierarch for his fatherly presence, for his edifying word, and for the blessing brought to the Romanian community in Dundee, conveying their thankfulness and joy for this moment of spiritual strengthening and growth.

Read the Hierarch’s full address here.

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