The Association of the Romanian Orthodox Auxiliary of the Americas (AROLA) continues its annual tradition of honoring, in front of the entire community, Christian mothers who are examples for those around them: five Romanian Orthodox Women from across the Ocean were awarded last month the title of “Mother of the Year 2022”.
“Saint John Chrysostom said: Give me a generation of good Christian mothers and I will change the face of the world! Throughout the history of Christianity, there have been many mothers who raised their children with love, patience, devotion, wisdom, and hope in God, putting Christian education first,” announced the organization.
The following ladies were awarded:
- Marinela Abele (photo below) from Holy Trinity Church, Philadelphia, USA: mother of three children, devoted daughter, and strong pillar of the parish, who confesses and partakes regularly, and who always responds with love to the call to serve the Church of Christ and the Romanian community;
- Presbytera Ana-Maria Azoiței (photo below) from St. Apostle Andrew Church, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada: mother of nine beautiful and healthy children whom she raises and educates with much love, patience, and fear of God. Pb. Ana-Maria is actively involved in Sunday School, the Ladies’ Reunion, and other charitable projects;
- Carmen Cioană (photo below) from the St George Romanian Orthodox Cathedral, St-Hubert, Quebec, Canada: teacher by vocation and a true Christian, intensely involved in the activities of the Church and in those for the youth, who raised her two boys in the Church. They are always present at the Divine Liturgy, helping out at the altar;
- Stela Staver Scull (photo below) from St John Cassian Church, San Antonio, Texas, USA: mother of two wonderful children whom she educates in the Orthodox faith, and who is distinguished by a warm soul and a boundless devotion to the Church of Christ, by zeal and dedication, compassion, and unwavering faith in all that she does;
- Camelia Vlad (photo below) from the Holy Hierarch Nicholas and Holy Prophet Elijah Church, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: mother of three beautiful boys, always together in the Church, both for prayer and for work, gladly volunteering at the meals offered to the poor, at picnics, and cleaning/beautifying the Church for the holidays, whenever necessary.
The distinctions were awarded by the parish priests on the Feast of the Annunciation when the Orthodox Church celebrates the Christian Mother’s Day.
The general mission of AROLA is to support and execute all manner of deeds and acts that contribute to the continual growth of the Romanian Orthodox Church in the Americas and encourage members to practice and live by the Christian principles as enunciated by the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia in the Americas.
The organization raises funds for charity, promotes Orthodoxy, and offers scholarships to future priests.
Source: basilica.ro