Sunday, July 30, marked the celebration of the first Divine Liturgy at the newly-established Romanian Orthodox parish in Swansea, Great Britain.
The liturgy celebrated by parish priest Vasile Flavian Branescu was attended by a representative of the Church of England, The Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan Louise Fleet, High Sheriff of West Glamorgan Alan Brayley, Swansea Lord Mayor Cllr Graham Thomas, and Romania’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom Laura Popescu.
Numerous Romanian families from Bridgewater, Bristol, Hereford, Aberystwyth, Cardiff, Bridgend, Neath, Llanelli, Carmarthen and other Welsh cities came to the inauguration service and brought their children to receive Holy Communion.
The officials’ speeches evoked the close ties between Romania and the United Kingdom, the appreciation of King Charles III for our country, and the appreciation of the local authorities for the positive contribution of the Romanian community to British society.
Ambassador Laura Popescu highlighted the special significance of the inauguration of the new parish, expressing her confidence that the Church will contribute to the consolidation of the Romanian community in the region.
