ABOUT US
A place of encounter between man and God and a space of communion between people, the church shares with us the grace of the sacrifice on the Cross of Christ the Savior and reminds us of the sacrifice of all those who, with living faith, contributed, each according to their strength, to its building and maintenance.
The Orthodox Church has maintained and maintains continuity of faith with the apostolic community that was founded by Christ. It has preserved and teaches the infallible Christian faith of the time of the Apostles. The impression of antiquity and timelessness that characterizes it is an expression of the desire to remain faithful to the authentic Christian faith. The Christian faith and the Church are inseparable in Orthodoxy. It is impossible to say that we know Christ and that we share in the life of the Holy Trinity, but at the same time to be Christians outside the Church.
The priest
Brief History
Parish Council
The priest, by virtue of his canonical ordination and appointment, leads and administers the parish in cooperation with the Parish Council. At the same time, he exercises, in the name of the parish, his pastoral obligations which consist in shepherding the parish entrusted to him, leading its life in order, preserving its unity and maintaining it on the path of faith towards its divine destiny (extract from the Statute of Organization)
Parish Priest: Ciprian Augustin Purcarea
The Romanian Orthodox Parish of Saint Mary was established in the fall of 2007.
On October 20, 2007, at the meeting of the Deanery for Eastern Canada, priest Teofil Arsene received the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Nicolae, and on December 20, 2007, following the decision of the Diocesan Council of the Romanian Archdiocese in the Americas, the parish began its activity as a Mission.
The first service of the new Mission was held on Christmas Day 2007 in the Roman Catholic Church of St. Jean-Bosco in Gatineau, QC. On January 17, 2008, the parish received its ecclesiastical charter from the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas, and on April 1, 2008, the Mission Sainte Marie was registered under the religious corporations law of the Province of Quebec under the name: "Église Orthodoxe Roumaine Sainte Marie / Biserica Ortodocă Română Sfânta Maria".
In August 2010, the parish of St. Mary purchased the former Roman Catholic church of St. Jean Bosco (the building where the first Holy Mass was celebrated). Immediately, under the guidance of the parish priest Teofil Arsene, works were started to transform and beautify the church, culminating in the summer of 2013 with the installation of a beautiful iconostasis and other church furniture made in Romania.
The consecration of St. Mary's Church in Gatineau, QC took place on May 11, 2014. The consecration service was performed by His Eminence Archbishop Nicolae and His Eminence Bishop Ioan Casian, surrounded by a council of priests and a large number of faithful from Ottawa-Gatineau and the surrounding area. Representatives of the Romanian Embassy in Canada were also present, along with Ambassador Maria Ligor.
At the end of the service, His Holiness Nicolae delivered a beautiful teaching speech, explaining the spiritual meanings of the baptism of the new church. His Holiness congratulated the faithful of St. Mary's parish for their efforts and achievements, awarding the parish priest Teofil Arsene the honorary distinction of the Patriarchal Cross from His Holiness Patriarch Daniel.
The Parish Council is responsible to the General Assembly of the parish and to the Archbishop for the administration of all the affairs of the parish, in accordance with the mission, purpose and calling of the Church, as defined in the Statute. The Parish Council will also be recognized as the Board of Directors or the Board of Directors, when such designations are required by the local administration. It is composed of the priest, as head of the parish, the first singer, and up to fifteen lay members elected by the General Assembly of the Parish (extract from the Statute of Organization)
Parish Council Members (2025-2027 term):
-
Priest Ciprian Augustin Purcarea
-
Deacon Iulian-Virgiliu Amohnoaie
-
Gabriel Vidican (President)
-
Ileana Botis (Vice President)
-
Marina Ceclan (Treasurer)
-
Loredana Tranulea (Secretary)
-
Mihai Vasile (Auditor)
-
Veniamin Pie
-
Anca Mircioiu
-
Mihaela Tudorache (Cantor)
A BREEZE OF LIGHT...
Un strop de lumina! intrebari pentru Pr. Ciprian Augustin Purcarea.
A drop of light!
On Saturday, April 12, a special activity dedicated to children took place at the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Gatineau!
Children were encouraged to write down their questions in advance on a form, so that the parent could answer them as nicely and clearly as possible:
There were many children, it was a morning full of creativity, discovery and smiles!
We look forward to learning and creating together, as a family and with an open heart and soul, in the future!