A statue was placed in the courtyard of the Orthodox Cathedral of Baia Mare in memory of Archbishop Justinian Chira of blessed memory. The monument was inaugurated on Sunday, June 7, after the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the patronal feast of the place of worship, the Diocese of Maramureş and Sătmar reports.
“His Eminence Justinian deserved to have this life-size statue, because his life was lived between God and His people, between Christ and His Church,” the current Bishop of Maramures Justin said after the unveiling ceremony.
The unique work was made of bronze by Ioan Marchiş, a sculptor from Maramureş, author of several public works in Baia Mare and across Romania.
The statue represents Archbishop Justinian in a blessing posture.
“He will bless you every time you come to the Cathedral because he loved the Cathedral very much. We thank God for this gift He received, which will adorn the park of the Cathedral,” Bishop Justin said.
The event was attended by the assistant bishop Timotei of Sătmăr, Gabriel Zetea, President of the County Council, Cătălin Cherecheş, Mayor of Baia Mare, sculptor Ioan Marchiş, clergy and many believers.
Ioan Marchiş was awarded the diocese’s Order “Justinian the Archbishop” for the effort made in the construction of the monument.
Archbishop Justinian Chira
Archbishop Justinian Chira was born on May 28, 1921, in the village of Plopiș in Maramureș County.
The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church elevated him the rank of archimandrite in 1967, and in 1973 he was elected an assistant bishop to the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj.
In September 1990 he was elected Bishop of Maramureș and Sătmar, being enthroned on November 11, 1990.
Archbishop Justinian reposed in the Lord on October 29, 2016.
Source: Basilica.ro