Cluj Archdiocese spends EUR 3.3 mln on charity in 2020

Basilica News Agency – Ștefana Totorcea – 14/2/21

The Archdiocese of Cluj spent 3.3 million Euros on philanthropy last year, offering aid or other forms of support to approximately 16,000 beneficiaries. The announcement was made at the Eparchial Assembly gathered on Saturday in central Romania’s Cluj-Napoca city. 

The meeting began with a Te Deum service, after which His Eminence Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj spoke about the importance of Church activity in the community.

An activity report for last year was presented regarding administrative, economic, cultural and social-missionary activities. The corresponding eparchial sectors sustained interactive presentations.

The Archdiocese currently has 55 projects and social programs providing shelter, food, clothing, medicine, medical and palliative care, education for the young, and hope to those who have no hope.

Among the many 2020 projects was the launching of the St. Nektarios ambulance service in Cluj-Napoca. The Archdiocese also donated thousands of dollars to local hospitals and food banks.

The Archdiocese operated 10 recreational camps for children last year and donated tablets to local students from disadvantaged backgrounds. 34 scholarships were also offered.

The sectorial reports were submitted for approval at the end of the meeting, along with the draft budget and activity proposal for the current year.

Other projects for 2021

In 2021, the archdiocese will continue work at the Metropolitan Cathedral mosaic, at the “Holy Apostle Andrei” Social Missionary Center in the city of Cluj-Napoca, and at the Youth Center in Câmpenești.

• the renovation of the homes for the elderly in Baciu and Făget;
• inaugurating a new palliative care centre in Bistrița;
• starting courses at “St. Stelyanos” Primary Christian Orthodox School in Bistrița city;
• reconsecration of the historical church in Săliștea Veche, Cluj county.

This year, the archdiocese will mark through religious, cultural and editorial activity, 100 years since its re-establishment, 100 years from the birth of Metropolitan Bartolomeu Anania and a decade from the installation of Metropolitan Andrei.

According to the Statutes of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Eparchial Assembly is the deliberative entity for all administrative, economic, cultural, social-charitable and missionary issues in the eparchy.

The assembly is made of representatives of the clergy (one third) and of the faithful (two thirds), who are elected for a four-year mandate. Thus, the Cluj Eparchial Assembly is currently made of 10 clerics and 20 laypeople.

Photo courtesy of Darius Echim / Metropolis of Cluj

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