Olmsted Township, Ohio, April 1, 2025
Photo: mitropolia.us
The foundation stone for a new Romanian Orthodox cathedral in Ohio was laid on the feast of the Annunciation, March 25.
His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas spent several days with the clergy and faithful of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos Cathedral in Olmsted Township leading up to the patronal feast. He was joined in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy for the feast by cathedral rector Fr. Petru Neaga and other priests from the Romanian, Serbian, and Greek jurisdictions in America, reports the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas.
Following Met. Nicolae’s homily for the feast, a procession was held to the place where the foundation stone for the new cathedral was to be laid.
“The consecration service and laying of the stone was a moment of great joy felt by all the faithful—a joy that made many say, ‘Father, we feel like it’s Pascha, just like the Feast of the Resurrection,’” writes Fr. Petru.
Photo: romanianorthodoxbvc.org
“Surely, the Good God has poured out abundant grace for us to assure us that He is with us, that the very feast of the Annunciation assures us to have faith in His descent among those who love Him and desire to build Him a dwelling on earth.”
According to the cathedral website, the Annunciation Church was founded in 1936 in Cleveland to serve the growing Romanian community in the area. In 1969, it was elevated to the rank of cathedral and has had four locations over the years. In 2016, it moved to Olmsted Township, the ideal location for the construction of the new church.
The design for the new cathedral is inspired by the numerous beautiful churches and monasteries in Romania, including Nicula Monastery and the painted churches of Moldova.
The new cathedral (approximately 8,110 sq. ft.) is designed to hold 350 faithful plus a balcony with 50 seats. The exiting building will be renovated and transformed for the cathedral’s auxiliary programs.
It is planned to begin construction this summer.
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