On Sunday, November 12, 2023, with the blessing of Metropolitan Polykarpos, the Orthodox Archbishop of Italy and Exarch for Southern Europe, held place the Patronal Feast with the Pontifical Divine Liturgy, in the Parish dedicated to the Saints Mina the Megalomartyr and Ephrem the Neomartyr, the Wonderworkers of San Lorenzo di Sedegliano (UD), under the canonical authority of the Holy Orthodox Metropolis of Italy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
The sublime ceremony was officiated by Bishop Athenagoras, Bishop of the illustrious Diocese of Terme and the auxiliary bishop of the Metropolitan, who, acting on behalf of the latter, conveyed respectful greetings since Metropolitan Polykarpos could not attend the current celebration and sent his auxiliary bishop as a worthy representative.
In addition to the two parish priests, the Reverend Protopresbyter Petru Filipescu, rector of the parish, and the Reverend Protopresbyter Dionigi Vidigh, Father Volodymyr Melnychuk, esteemed rector of the Slavonic-speaking Parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Udine, also participated, honoring the celebration with his presence.
The Bishop once again honored our Parish with his visit on the occasion of the patronal feast dedicated to Saint Mina the Great Martyr, an event he had already attended earlier this year, also participating in the celebration dedicated to Saint Ephrem the Neomartyr on May the 5th. Additionally, the Bishop shared his presence at the important concomitant event called “Community in Bloom.” This initiative represents a project of great significance for our Parish, focused on the implementation of a community garden.
The garden was conceived with the primary goal of making our community self-sufficient and, over time, extending its ability to provide food even beyond the parish boundaries. Cultivation follows the principles of regenerative agriculture, with the essential condition being the abandonment of the use of harmful substances that undermine the ecosystem. Conscious use of all resources provided by nature, such as compost, wood chippings, and straw for crop protection, is paramount. We are also committed to managing soil water resources correctly, using soil responsibly, and preserving the natural balance of the surrounding environment.
During his homily, His Grace recalled the commendable efforts of the community in the noble project of the community garden. He also addressed on the dramatic event of the natural disaster, the hailstorm that occurred last July, which not only nullified the extensive efforts of the community but also caused significant damage to the building. He detailed the detrimental effects of this adversity, with particular emphasis on the roof damage, a phenomenon that still today causes the infiltration of rainwater into the church, leading to further deterioration.
The highest representative of Metropolitan Polykarpos sought to reassure regarding the firm commitment to support our Parish in this time of need on the part of the Holy Metropolis of Italy. He conveyed the solemn words of comfort and support from His Eminence Metropolitan Polykarpos. He briefly recounted the life and martyrdom of Saint Mina, the Patron Saint of the Parish. In his eloquent discourse, he emphasized how the figure of this Saint, especially in moments of difficulty and discouragement just experienced, continues to preserve his closeness to the community, which has seen with bitterness the strenuous efforts of recent months vanish in a fleeting moment.
Our parish actively engages in the implementation of the community garden project, which constitutes a direct emanation of the teachings of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarch, the Green Patriarch, and the directives imparted by the Ecumenical Patriarchate regarding environmental respect, ecology, and sustainability.
The culmination of the celebrations was marked by the conclusion of the fest, followed by a community agape attended by the Bishop, the Protopresbyters, and the devoted members of the community.
