Picture the Three Hierarchs Romanian Orthodox Church. It stands as a testament to faith and resilience. This beautiful church in Mountlake Terrace Washington has a rich history. It began in the 1980s with a small group of Romanian immigrants. They longed for spiritual guidance and a connection to their traditions.
Father Gheorghe Calciu Dumitreasa a missionary priest arrived in Seattle in 1988. He helped establish a Romanian Orthodox Mission. The initial group faced challenges. They were a small and relatively unorganized community. Despite this they persevered. Six years later in 1994 the Three Holy Hierarchs Romanian Orthodox Mission was officially established. 114 members witnessed this memorable event.
The church then faced another hurdle. Services were held every other week at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. This continued for four years under Fathers Marin Oprea and Petru Voin. In 1998 Father Ioan Catana arrived bringing renewed energy. Sunday services and weekday services began at St Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral. The growth was remarkable. Services jumped from a few in 1995 to 86 in 2005. Easter attendance soared from 150 to over 700 people.
The church’s community flourished. In 2006 it officially became a parish with 468 registered parishioners. A monthly publication Cuvantul started in 1994 with 120 families. By 2006 it reached 485 households. Baptisms also increased dramatically from two to 36 in the same period.
The Three Hierarchs Romanian Orthodox Church also established the Helping Fund. It provides financial assistance to people in need. Six projects focused on youth needing medical care were successfully completed between 2002 and 2005. The church also organized social events. These aimed to unite the community celebrating faith and heritage.
Thanks to the dedication and growth of its members the church acquired property in 2004. The architectural plans were completed in 2007. The year 2008 held immense promise a new church building. The church would finally have a place to call its own. It would share its rich traditions with the diverse Seattle community. The Three Hierarchs Romanian Orthodox Church stands today a symbol of faith perseverance and community. It is a beacon of spiritual guidance for its members and a vibrant part of Seattle’s rich cultural tapestry.