Five major Church jubilees, the anniversary of Archbishop Paisie’s episcopal ministry, and the honoring of Bishop Ghenadie, in the presence of Metropolitan Leontie
On 30 October / 12 November 2026, the Parish of the Ascension of the Lord in Bucharest, which also venerates Saint Hierarch Ambrose the Confessor, the first Metropolitan of Fântâna Albă, as its patron saint, hosted a celebration of exceptional significance for the entire Orthodox Old-Rite Church – the Hierarchy of Fântâna Albă.
His Eminence Leontie, Archbishop of Fântâna Albă and Metropolitan of All Orthodox Old-Rite Christians Throughout the World, celebrated the Divine Liturgy together with His Eminence Paisie, Archbishop of Brăila and Tulcea, and His Grace Ghenadie, Bishop of Bukovina and Moldova, accompanied by a large gathering of priests and deacons. Church chanters, parishioners, faithful and pilgrims attended the service to take part in this celebration.
The year 2026 brought together four anniversaries of historic significance for our Church: the 180th anniversary of the restoration of the Hierarchy of Fântâna Albă in 1846 through the reception of Metropolitan Ambrose; the 30th anniversary of the canonization of Saint Hierarch Ambrose the Confessor; the 30th anniversary of the enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Leontie as Primate of the Church; and the 80th anniversary of the official recognition of the Orthodox Old-Rite Church in Romania by the Romanian State, through Decree-Law No. 728 of 10 September 1946, signed by King Michael I.
The same celebration also marked 20 years of episcopal ministry of His Eminence Archbishop Paisie, as well as the 45th birthday of His Grace Bishop Ghenadie.
In his archpastoral address, His Eminence Metropolitan Leontie recalled the life and work of Saint Hierarch Ambrose the Confessor, whose reception into the Church of the Orthodox Old-Rite faithful in 1846 made possible the restoration of the ecclesiastical hierarchy of Fântâna Albă. His Eminence recalled the significance of this year’s anniversaries, the importance of preserving the ancestral faith, and the responsibility of transmitting the Church’s traditions faithfully and without alteration to future generations.
On this occasion, through the care and blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Leontie, commemorative gifts were presented to His Eminence Archbishop Paisie and His Grace Bishop Ghenadie as a sign of appreciation for their episcopal ministry.
A particularly significant moment of the celebration was the honoring of His Eminence Metropolitan Leontie on the 30th anniversary of his enthronement. On behalf of the Metropolitan Administrative Vicariate, coordinated by Protodeacon Feodor (Afanasov), His Eminence was presented with two episcopal insignia specially made for this anniversary: a panagia depicting the Most Holy Mother of God and a pectoral cross. Both pieces were crafted as unique works and offered as an expression of gratitude and appreciation for his thirty years of service at the head of the Church.
The Very Reverend Archpriest Ionuț Bordeanu, the parish priest, also presented His Eminence Metropolitan Leontie with a silver gift, both on behalf of the parish and personally, as an expression of respect and gratitude for his archpastoral care.
The celebration was also attended by Mr Silviu Feodor, President of the Community of Russian Lipovans in Romania and a Member of the Romanian Parliament, who presented flowers and certificates of appreciation to His Eminence Metropolitan Leontie and His Eminence Archbishop Paisie. This gesture expressed respect and recognition for their spiritual service and for the Church’s contribution to preserving the faith, identity and traditions of historic communities.
The celebration at the Parish of the Ascension of the Lord in Bucharest marked an exceptional historic occasion, bringing together the commemoration of Saint Hierarch Ambrose, the honoring of previous generations, the anniversaries of the hierarchs and the gratitude of the faithful in common prayer and ecclesiastical communion.
This event stands as a testimony to the continuity of the Hierarchy of Fântâna Albă, the preservation of the Orthodox Old-Rite faith, and the spiritual bond uniting past, present and future generations.