Dear members and friends of the Life-Giving Fountain community,

 

On Sundays, July 6 and July 13, the Holy Liturgy will be celebrated by Father Gabriel Ionuţ Hlade from Fălticenii Vechi, under the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți. We warmly invite you to come to church in large numbers, to honor his presence in our parish, and to listen to his teachings and spiritual guidance.

 

The Parish Council and Parish Priest Roman Galben

 

 

Father Gabriel Ionuţ Hlade graduated in theology from the “Andrei Șaguna” Faculty of Theology in Sibiu. Between 2010 and 2014, he served as parish priest at the Orthodox Church of Saints Joachim and Anna in Aberdeen, Scotland, and later in Toulouse, France. Since 2017, Father Gabriel Ionuţ Hlade has been the parish priest at the Church of “Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel” in Fălticeni, part of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți, known locally as the Fălticenii Vechi Parish.The old church in Fălticeni witnessed the times when Ion Creangă, as a child, came here to attend the “School for Catechists.” An older wooden church had existed in Fălticeni, founded by a monk, Archimandrite Afanasie. However, as it became too small for the growing number of faithful, it was replaced by a stone church built by a devout nobleman, Tudorache Ciurea, the owner of the Fălticenii Vechi estate. Construction of the church, dedicated to the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, began in 1846 and was completed in three years, being consecrated on May 23, 1849.The grand stone church, with the stature of a cathedral, endured the devastation of both World Wars and was severely damaged. The one who brought the holy place out of ruin was Father Ilie Ilisei, who, during his service (1955–1985), with sacrifice and patience, restored its former glory. On November 13, 1977, in a festive atmosphere, the then Metropolitan of Moldova, Teoctist Arăpașu—future Patriarch of Romania—consecrated the church once again.Father Hlade, with the help of the community and church servants, has continued conservation and restoration works on the church—masonry, electrical and heating systems, reorganization of the inner courtyard, consecrated the interior frescoes, and renewed the celebration hall with the kitchen, candle area, and much more. As a result, under Father Hlade's leadership, the church was consecrated for the third time on November 3, 2019, by His Grace Damaschin Dorneanul, Vicar Bishop of the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți.Through his example, beautiful services, and relevant sermons, Father Hlade brings the faithful to church, continuously gaining followers who come to worship and listen to the word of God, being guided on the path of humility and salvation.