Fulfilling a Holy Vow
https://tinyurl.com/Apostle-Andrew

Return to the Mother Church and the Reception of the Holy Relics of the Holy Apostle Andrew at the Romanian Orthodox Church "Holy Trinity" in Los Angeles

With deep emotion and gratitude to God, the recent history of the Romanian Orthodox Church "Holy Trinity" in California records two great spiritual accomplishments, the fruit of prayer, unity and the desire to remain in full communion with the Mother Church.

I. Return to the Mother Church - 2022

The ardent desire of our community to return to the Mother Church was fulfilled in 2022, by the mercy of God and with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop and Metropolitan Nicolae, Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas.
This return represented not only an administrative act, but a reestablishment in the canonical order, a reaffirmation of our Romanian and Orthodox identity, and a natural return to the sources of grace and ancestral tradition.

II. The Second Great Desire: Bringing the Holy Relics of the Holy Apostle Andrew

A second holy desire of the community was to bring for eternal and permanent veneration the Holy Relics of the Protector of Romania, the Holy Apostle Andrew — the First Called, the Apostle of the Romanians, the Enlightener of our ancestors — who, through his presence at our church, also became the Protector of California.

With the return to the Mother Church in 2022, the official process of requesting the Holy Relics began, through a request addressed to the Holy Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas.
By the entrustment and with the blessing of His Holiness Metropolitan Nicolae, the diocesan secretary, Father Stefan Daniel Dragoi (today parish priest of the Church of Saints Joachim and Anne in Seattle, WA), received the assignment to fulfill this holy project of the Church of the "Holy Trinity".

An older ordinance: October 12, 1996

Exactly 30 years ago, on October 12, 1996, the Holy Relics of Saints Prov and Andronicus were brought to our church, marking a historic moment in the life of the parish.
That blessing mysteriously prepared the way for receiving even greater spiritual comfort.

The Great News – 2025

In the year 2025, around the feast of the Nativity of the Lord, the parish of the Holy Trinity received the blessed news that, at a date ordained by God, at the beginning of 2026, the Church would be properly prepared to welcome the arrival of the Holy Relics of Saint Andrew.

The faithful received the news with holy joy and with hearts full of gratitude to God.
Thus, the Romanian American Orthodox Church "Holy Trinity" in Los Angeles announced the receipt of a very precious blessing: a reliquary with a particle of the Holy Relics of the Holy Apostle Andrew — the First-Called, the Apostle of the Romanians, and from now on the Protector of California.

February 17, 2026 – Historic Day

The Holy Relic with the Most Venerable Relics, together with a special icon of Saint Andrew, were solemnly received on February 17, 2026, near the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the commemoration of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna (February 23), the patron saint of Bishop Polycarp Morușca, the first bishop of Romanians in America, and at the beginning of the Great Lent of the Resurrection of the Lord 2026.

At the mysterious call of the traditional "toacă" and to the ringing of the bells, at the hour of vespers, with the church full of believers, the relic and the icon were carried in procession from the middle of the church to the Holy Altar by Father Ștefan Drăgoi, assisted by the parish priest Father Constantin Alecse and the acolytes of the Holy Altar.

This was followed by:

• The Akathist Service to Saint Andrew
• The placement and waxing of the Holy Relics in the specially made silver reliquary
• The procession in the middle of the church
• The presentation of the Holy Relics and the Icon for worship
At the end of the service, Father Stefan spoke about:
• The life of Saint Andrew
• His apostolic connection with the Romanian people
• The Christianization of Dacia
• The covenant of the sons at home and in California/America
• The protection and preservation of California

A personal and historical moment

Father Stefan presented Father Constantin, on the occasion of his birthday, with a wooden work representing the shepherd’s face, as well as a painting of memories from the visit of Father Archimandrite Cherubim from Mount Athos, who, accompanied by Father Stefan, brought the Holy Relics of Saint Anne to our parish in August 2025.

Father Constantin thanked, on behalf of the faithful, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae for the bishop’s blessing granted, as well as Father Stefan’s family, who through their efforts and connections made this priceless gift possible: the Holy Relics and the Icon of Saint Andrew.

A New Chapter – 2026

Divine Providence has ordained that Saint Andrew will come to California in the Year of Salvation 2026 — the year of a new beginning for the parish.

At the end of 2026, Archpriest Constantin Alecse will retire, having reached 75 years of age and 50 years of priestly service, and a new minister ordained and consecrated by His Holiness Archbishop and Metropolitan Nicolae will take over the helm of the parish.

After the worship of the faithful, the historic event was immortalized with a group photo, and all participants were invited to the large parish hall, where the ladies' gathering offered a fraternal agape.

For those eager to learn more about the life, mission and work of the Holy Apostle Andrew – The First Called, the Apostle of the Romanians, they can consult the information available at: https://tinyurl.com/Apostle-Andrew