HISTORICAL
At the beginning of 2018, with the arrival of the first Romanian Orthodox faithful in Doncaster, United Kingdom, the desire arose to have a place of prayer for the local Romanian Orthodox community. At that time, there was no Romanian Orthodox parish nearby, the closest church being in Leeds.
With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif, Metropolitan of Western and Southern Europe, in the spring of 2020 – just before the lockdown period – approval was granted for the establishment of the Romanian Orthodox Mission in Doncaster. In the beginning, the ministry was supported by Father Marc Florin Daniel, missionary priest, who came to assist the newly formed community.
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The "Saint Simon the Zealot and Saint Great Martyr Mina" Romanian Orthodox Parish in Doncaster
After the period of restrictions, efforts were made to find a suitable place for worship; however, many local churches were still focused on reopening and reorganising their own communities. In 2021, with God’s help, the community succeeded in renting a space in the centre of Doncaster, offered by the Methodist Church.
The first services were held in July 2021, initially every other Sunday, and later every Sunday and on feast days. It was a period of sacrifice and dedication: the community paid rent by the hour, and each service required moving and setting up everything needed for the Divine Liturgy — a true ‘travelling church’.
After the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord that same year, news arrived that the building was to be either sold or vacated, but the price was far beyond the community’s means. With the help of Father Ciprian Bădin from Preston, contact was made with the Anglican Diocese of Sheffield, and after several discussions and preparations, through the support of Archdeacon Javaid Iqbal and Father Ian Smith, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on the 15th of August 2022 in the current church building in Loversall, where the parish continues its activity to this day.
There, the community found understanding and support, being allowed to keep all the liturgical items on site, which greatly eased the organisation of services.
In September 2023, for better organisation and functioning, the charity ‘The Romanian Orthodox Church for Doncaster’was established, enabling the opening of a bank account for raising funds to support future projects — among them, the long-term goal of purchasing a permanent church building.
The community has grown steadily over time, with the faithful contributing to the beautification of the church, the organisation of philanthropic activities, and the support of those in need through collaboration with a local food bank. Each year, during the festive seasons, the parish organises a Christmas carol concert and gift-giving event for children, which have already become cherished traditions in the life of the parish.
A moment of great blessing came with the visit of His Grace Bishop Nectarie on the 3rd of March 2024, who came to strengthen and encourage the community on its path of spiritual growth.
In December 2024, the mission received official parish status, becoming the Romanian Orthodox Parish of ‘Saint Simon the Zealot and Saint Menas the Great Martyr’ in Doncaster.
Parish Priest Lucian Filip
Father Lucian Filip graduated from the ‘Saint John Cassian’ Theological Seminary in Tulcea (2000–2005) and from the ‘Ovidius’ Faculty of Theology in ConstanÈ›a, Pastoral section (2005–2009). He was ordained deacon on the 24th of November 2007, and the following day, the 25th of November 2007, he was ordained priest for the Parish of Saint Elijahin the village of Mihai Bravu, Deanery of Babadag, by His Eminence Archbishop Teodosie, Archbishop of Tomis.
During his ministry in Romania, Father Lucian coordinated several restoration and beautification projects for the church and its parish buildings: in 2010, the church was re-consecrated and the parish house was blessed; in 2013, a roadside cross (troiță) was erected and consecrated; and between 2013 and 2018, the adjoining rooms, offices, and mortuary chapel were arranged, along with the installation of a new modern heating system.
From an educational perspective, Father Lucian served as a religious education teacher in the local school and obtained both the definitive teaching certification and the second clerical degree (Gradul II) from the Faculty of Theology in Bucharest.
On the 21st of June 2018, Father Lucian arrived in the United Kingdom together with his wife and their two children, aged four and eight at the time, thus laying the good foundation for the missionary work that would later bear fruit in the formation of the present Romanian Orthodox Parish in Doncaster.