Synaxarion

Parish history

Through the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ and efforts of Father Marcel Oprisan at the end of year 2008 the first Romanian Orthodox Church opened its doors to the Orthodox community in Aberdeen and surroundings. The Romanian Orthodox community, while weak in number and busy with family life or jobs, always found time for the church, and organised a room given by St. John's Episcopial Church. We thank God and those through whom He worked, we pray their generosity is paid back.

After more than a year since first Holy Liturgy, His Eminence Iosif, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe blessed the community with his presence. It was the first visit of a Romanian Orthodox bishop in the North of Scotland and the first Holy Liturgy in the presence of a Romanian bishop. His Holiness officially inaugurated the parish and announced its patron as Saints Joachim and Anna. Father Gabriel Hlade was then introduced as the parish priest.

After more than four years of devoted and selfless ministry to the Romanian community in Aberdeen, Father Gabriel returned to Romania with his family. With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, the pastoral care of the parish was entrusted to Father Andrei Dosoftei, who was officially appointed parish priest of the Aberdeen Church on 16 November 2014 through the rite of installation performed by His Grace Bishop Ignatie.

For nearly twelve years, Father Andrei served with dedication and commitment, contributing to the growth and strengthening of the community's spiritual life, as well as to the purchase of the churches in Dundee and Aberdeen. At the end of June 2026, he and his family returned to Romania, where he continues his priestly ministry within the Diocese of Huși.

Since 1 July 2026, the pastoral ministry of the Romanian Orthodox Parish of "Saints Joachim and Anna and the Holy Cross" in Aberdeen has been continued by Father Mihai Stoica. We pray that God will bless his path and his pastoral ministry as he serves our community.

Aberdeen Parish priests: