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St.
Mary Romanian Orthodox parish in Cleveland was founded on 1904 and
is the oldest Romanian Orthodox parish in the U.S.A. Guided by devout
spiritual fathers and prominent lay people, this parish gained a
special place and leadership role in the broader life of the Romanian-American
Orthodox community which, in 1929, became the Romanian Orthodox
Episcopate of America. In 1955, the old church located on Detroit
Avenue and West 63rd was sold and the current property was acquired,
under the wise leadership of Fr. John Trutza.
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Today’s
church, built during the worthy pastorate (1955-1982) of the late
Fr. Vasile Hategan, Priest Emeritus (1915-2003), in a modern, yet
traditional Romanian “Maramures” style, and was consecrated
in 1960 by the late Archbishop Valerian. Since that time, the energy
of the parish was especially directed to building, refurbishing
and paying for the present complex, comprising a spacious church
school, a modern social hall, and a museum. |
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