OUR HISTORY
Saint Helena Parish in Cleveland is the first Romanian parish which appeared in America. The first gathering of Greek-Catholic believers in Cleveland took place on November 19, 1905, and they decided to create the first Romanian Greek-Catholic church on American soil. In the first meeting, conducted by Father Epaminonda Lucaciu, all the Greek-Catholic believers in Cleveland were recorded and the parochial committee was elected. On December 10, 1905, at the proposal of Father Lucaciu, members of the parish decided to buy a property on which the church can be built. This project was finalized on December 14, 1905. The Roman-Catholic Bishop of Cleveland, Ignatio Horstmann, helped the Romanian community purchase the land on which the church was built.
The construction plans for the church and the rectory were approved on May 27, 1906. In the same year, on July 1, the cornerstone of the church has been laid. The construction advanced rapidly, and on October 21, 1906, the consecration ceremony of the first Romanian Greek-Catholic church in America, Saint Helena, took place. This ceremony was officiated by Bishop Ignatius F. Horstmann and priests Epaminonda Lucaciu, Ioan Lenghel, T.C.O’Reilly, J.A. Sidley, J.K. Koudelka, Francisc T. Moran, John McHale, C. Boehm. The celebration was presented in newspapers in Cleveland, such as “Românul” on October 21, 1906 and “The Catholic Universe” on October 26, 1906.
In time, near the church, with the help of the members, two halls were built. These new constructions were necessary for the social activities that took place within the parish. In 1942, the Small Hall was built behind the church, with a capacity of over 100 seats. Its consecration took place on September 6, 1942. The construction of a larger hall, with a capacity of about 400 people, was completed in 1965. In these two halls were and are organized festive meals, weddings, baptisms, memorials and also all national events in the parish.
Two societies were active in the church in the early 1900's: the Saint Mary's Relief Society (1908) and the Saint Helena Women's Reunion (1922). In 1957, the Society of St. Helena’s Junior Women’s Club was established within the parish.
Saint Helena Church represents a symbol of the Romanian Greek-Catholic parishes in the United States, due to the fact that it is the first Romanian church built here, and especially due to the fact that it is one of the few churches that has not changed its location over time. Over the years, Saint Helena parish was visited by numerous personalities from Romania, Europe and America. The first to visit the parish was the Bishop of Lugoj, Alecsandru Nicolescu, who came in Cleveland in 1923. On May 26, 1947, the church was visited by Cardinal Eugen Tisserant, the secretary of the Congregation for the Oriental Church’s Affairs in Rome, with the Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland, Edward F. Hoban, and the Auxiliary Bishop for the Ruthenian Americans, Daniel Ivanco. In the following year, on March 31, 1948, priests George Băbuţiu and Ioan Spătariu welcomed King Mihai I at the parish. In 1961, Romanian Bishop Vasile Cristea from Rome visited the church. He was the first Romanian Bishop to visit the parishes in America after the Greek-Catholic Church in Romania had been dissolved. Bishop Vasile Cristea returned to this parish in 1966, consecrating the church once more. The ceremony was attended by the following priests: George Băbuţiu, V. Marchiş, G. Pop, I. Filip, I. Pavel, I. Popa, G. Ivaşscu, G. Mureşan, I. Crihălmeanu, L. Puşcaş, M. Toderici. After 1983, Bishop Louis Pușcaș visited the parish several times, and in 1984, the parish was visited by the Roman Catholic Bishop, Ioan Robu from Romania. After the fall of communism in Romania and the re-establishment of the Greek-Catholic Church, a number of hierarchs from Romania visited Saint Helena Church: Bishop Virgil Bercea with Apostolic Administrator John Michael Boteanu in 1993, Mitropolit of Blaj, Lucian Mureșan with Bishops Alexandru Mesian, George Guțiu and Vasile Hossu, in 1996.
Saint Helena Parish is considered one of the strongest Romanian Greek-Catholic parishes in the U.S.A. This parish truly represents the living testimony of over a hundred years of Romanian Greek-Catholic history in America.
The priests who served at Saint Helena: Epaminonda Lucaciu, the founder of the church – 1906-1907; Alexandru Nicolescu – 1907-1909; Aurel Haţegan – 1909-1919; Ioan Vanca – 1921-1922; Ioan Spătariu – 1922-1930; Victor Vamoşi – 1930-1933; Victor Crişan – 1933-1934; George Băbuţiu – 1934-1950; Mircea Toderici – 1949-1984; Grigore Duma – 1984-1990; Andrei Matei – 1990-2011; Petru Stînea – 2013- at present.
(Information taken from "History of the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church in the United States of America," by Petru Stînea, Altip Publishing House, Alba Iulia, 2016.)
Priests who served at St. Helena Parish (1905-2025)
1. Fr. PhD EPAMINONDA LUCACIU (1905- 1907)
Epaminonda Lucaciu served as a priest at Saint Helena Church from 1905 to December 29, 1907, and he was a missionary priest in America for 16 years, (1905-1921). Epaminonda Lucaciu was born on February 25, 1877, in Sâncrai, Szolnok County (Satu Mare). He died on July 29, 1960 in Romania. Epaminonda Lucaciu studied in Satu-Mare, then in Baia Mare and Năsăud. In 1888, he went to Rome and studied there until 1898, when he earned a doctoral degree in Theology. He was ordained as a priest the same year. He served for a while in Şişeşti, then in Cenadul Sârbesc (Diocese of Lugoj) and from there he went to the United States of America, in Cleveland, in 1905. On November 19, 1905, he founded the first Greek-Catholic parish in America, Saint Helena in Cleveland. The church was consecrated on October 21, 1906. In 1907, he left Cleveland in order to establish other parishes in America. He established the following parishes in different cities: Youngstown (Saint Mary - 1907), Aurora (Saint Michael - 1907), Trenton (Saint Basil - 1909), Roebling (Saint Mary - 1912) and Dayton (Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel -1915).
2. Fr. PhD ALEXANDRU NICOLESCU (1907- 1909)
Alexandru Nicolescu served as a priest at Saint Helena Church between December 29, 1907 and July 4, 1909. Alexandru Nicolescu was born on July 6, 1882, in Tulgheşi, Harghita County. He died in 1941. He finished elementary school in Reghinul Săsesc. In 1896, Alecsandru Nicolescu went to study in Blaj, at the Greek-Catholic Superior Middle School, and in 1898 he was sent to Rome, where he studied for six years at the Institute of Propaganda Fide. In 1904, he earned a doctoral degree in Theology and he was ordained as a celibate priest. For one year, he was an employee at the Metropolitan Chancellery in Blaj and then he was appointed professor of Theology at the Theological Seminary in Blaj. On December 2, 1907, he asked for a 2 year vacation to go to America. Alexandru Nicolescu arrived in America in 1907 as a missionary priest, for a period of two years. He settled at Saint Helena parish in Cleveland. He helped organize the following parishes: Saint Mary in Youngstown (1908), Saint John in Sharon PA (1908) and Saint Theodore in Alliance, OH (1909). He returned to Romania on July 26, 1909, and he continued to work as a professor at the Theological Academy in Blaj. In 1922, he became the Bishop of the Diocese of Lugoj.
3. Fr. AUREL HAȚEGAN (1909- 1919)
Aurel Hategan served as a priest at Saint Helena Church between July 4, 1909 and 1919. Aurel Haţegan was born on March 6, 1883, in Fizeşul Gherlii, Szolnok County. He graduated from the Theological School in Blaj, in 1905, and he was ordained as a priest on June 10, 1906 by Archbishop Victor Mihaly of Apşa. Aurel Hategan served as a priest for 2 years in Corpade. Becoming a widower, he worked as a chaplain in Cluj. Then, in 1909, he went to Cleveland, Ohio, to Saint Helena parish. While administering this parish, he also helped the following parishes: Saint Mary in Youngstown, Saint John in Sharon and Saint Theodore in Alliance. Aurel Hațegan wrote the first book about the history of the Romanian Greek- Catholic Churches in America: "History of the Romanian Greek -Catholic Church in Cleveland, Ohio, from its inception until 1911."
4. Fr. IOAN VANCA
Ioan Vanca served intermittently at St. Helena Parish when the parish remained vacant, 1919- 10 iulie 1922, 1928 – 1930. Ioan Vanca was born in Unimat, Sălaj. He died on December 6, 1931 in Cleveland. Ioan Vanca graduated Theology in Gherla. After he was ordained as a priest and served for a few years in the Diocese in Gherla, he went to the Roman-Catholic Metropolitan in Bucharest, where he worked as a teacher for 12 years. Since 1917 he has been present in America. He became administrator of the Holy Trinity parish in East Cleveland and he served intermittently at Saint Helena parish. In December, 1928, Ioan Vanca started to get involved in the administration of Saint George parish (Canton), Saint Mary ( McKeesport) and Saint George ( Erie, PA). For all the activities carried out for the benefit of the Church, Ioan Vanca was elevated to the rank of archpriest.
5. Fr. IOAN SPĂTARIU (1922- 1928)
Ioan Spatariu served as a priest at Saint Helena Church between July 10, 1922 and September 23, 1928. Ioan Spătariu was born in 1892 in Fraua (Axente Sever), Târnava Mare County. He died on October 24, 1957 at Saint Mary's parish in Youngstown. Ioan Spatariu was ordained as priest on August 30, 1914. He administered the parishes of Ţicmandru (Dumbrăveni archdiocese) and Veştem. Becoming a widower in 1916, he started working in the Archdiocesan Chancellery in Blaj, being sent as an official delegate from Blaj to the National Assembly in Alba Iulia, on December 1, 1918. On January 26, 1922, he asked to go to America, to Saint Helena in Cleveland. The Pro Ecclesia Congregation in Rome approved his departure on February 17 of the same year. He served at St. Helena until 1928, when he was appointed administrator of St. Mary in Youngstown.
6. Fr. VICTOR VAMOȘI (1930- 1933)
Victor Vamosi served as a priest at Saint Helena parish between 1930-1933.Victor Vamosi was born on February 9, 1897 in Giacaş, Sibiu County. He died on March 24, 1939 in Detroit. Victor Vamosi attended theological studies in Blaj, completing them in 1922. He was made subdeacon on November 21, 1924 and was ordained as a priest on November 23, 1924 by Metropolitan Vasile Suciu. He was appointed as a priest in the Ernea parish, Sibiu County. In 1929, after he arrived in America, he was appointed as a priest at Saint George parish (Canton) by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Cleveland, on May 1, 1929. He remained there until March 27, 1930, when he was transferred to Saint Helena Church in Cleveland. He administered the parish of Saint Helena until 1933.
7. Fr. VICTOR CRIȘAN (1933- 1934)
Victor Crisan served as a priest in Saint Helena Church between June 1933 – July 1,1934. Victor Crisan was born on August 10, 1892 in Băgău, Alba Inferior County. He attended theological courses in Blaj and also at the Urban College De Propaganda Fide Roma. He became subdeacon on March 14, 1918 and was ordained as a priest on March 17, 1918 by Bishop Iuliu Hossu. He was appointed in the Suceagu parish, Cluj County. On April 16, 1920, he asked to be sent to America as missionary priest, stating “… I am celibate, I speak German, Italian and Hungarian and I studied in Latin”. Coming to America, priest Vasile Crişan would administer Saint Dumitru parish in East Chicago – Indiana Harbor, between September 1, 1921 and February 1, 1933. After resigning from Saint Dumitru parish, he administered other parishes as well: Saint Helena and Holy Trinity from Cleveland, Saint Basil from Lorain, Saint John the Baptist from Farrell, PA, Saint George from Erie, PA and Saint Basil from Trenton.
8. Fr. GEORGE BĂBUȚIU (1939- 1950)
George Babutiu served as a priest at Saint Helena parish between July 1, 1939 – December 5, 1950. He was born in Trenton, New Jersey. His parents, Dumitru and Rafila Băbuţiu immigrated to America from the village of Dindeşti. After completing elementary school in Trenton, Fr. Epaminonda Lucaciu, who founded the Greek-Catholic community there, sent him to Rome. George Băbuţiu studied for 12 years in Rome. He finished high school and attended the Faculty of Philosophy and Theology, with the intention of becoming a priest. He lived in Grotta Ferarata, near Rome, and was an outstanding student. He was schoolmates with the future Bishop, Ioan Suciu, and future priest, Mircea Toderici. He earned a doctoral degree in Philosophy in Rome and, in 1933, he returned to America. He was ordained as priest in 1934. From 1939 he was appointed priest at Saint Helena, working here until 1950. George Babutiu died in February 1968, in Cleveland, Ohio and was buried in the cemetery of Saint Basil Church in Trenton, New Jersey.
9. Fr. MIRCEA TODERICI (1950- 1984)
Mircea Toderici served as a priest at Saint Helena Church between December 5, 1950 – 1984. He was born on December 10, 1911 in Cricău, Alba County, and he died on May 21, 1984, in Cleveland Ohio. Mircea Toderici attended theological courses at the Urban College De Propaganda Fide Roma, and he became subdeacon on May 2, 1934. He was ordained as a priest on December 1, 1935 by Giovanni Melle, Bishop of Lungro in Calabria. In-between 1937 and 1946, he served as a priest in the following Romanian parishes: Herepea parish, Mureş County; Făgăraş II, Braşov County; Saint Basil Church in Bucharest. He obtained a scholarship at Sorbonne, in France, in 1946. For a while, he was the rector of the Romanian Catholic Mission in France. Fr. Toderici came to America in 1949, at the suggestion of Fr. George Băbuţiu. Starting in 1950, he was appointed as a priest at St. Helena, and he remained there until his death in 1984.
10. Fr. GRIGORE DUMA (1983- 1990)
Grigore Duma served at Saint Helena parish between 1983-1990. He was born on February 10, 1939 in Valea Mare, Vaslui County. He graduated the Roman-Catholic Theological Seminary in Iaşi in 1964 and was ordained as a priest the same year, on June 29. He went to America at the request of Fr. Mircea Toderici who was sick and in need of help. Between June 15, 1983 and September 11, 1984, Fr. Duma assisted Fr. Toderici. Following his mentor's death, Grigore Duma became parish priest at Saint Helena between September 11, 1984 and November 30, 1990.
11. Fr. ANDREI MATEI (1990- 2011)
Andrei Matei served at Saint Helena parish between 1990-2011. He was born on November 6, 1958 in Bacau. He attended the Roman Catholic Seminary in Iași, being ordained a Roman Catholic priest on June 29, 1984. Andrei Matei came to America in 1990 and started the administration of Saint Helena parish. On July 18, 2013, he was suspended from the Greek Catholic Order in America.
12. Fr. GABRIEL DIDIȚĂ (2011- 2013)
Gabriel Didita served at Saint Helena parish between 2011-2013. Gabriel Didiță was born on September 2, 1974 in Sibiu. He attended Buna Vestire Institute in Blaj during 1998-2004. Fr. Ditita was ordained a priest on January 1, 2011 by Bishop John Michael Botean at Holy Most Trinity Church in Chesterland. He administered this parish until February 1, 2013. Simultaneously with the administration of Holy Most Trinity parish, he also served at Saint Helena parish in Cleveland between September 1, 2011 and February 1, 2013.
13. FR. PhD PETRU STÎNEA (2013- Present)
Petru Stinea is the current priest of St. Helena Church, administering this parish since 2013. Petru Stînea was born on July 11, 1974 in Mihalt, Alba County. He attended the Faculty of History, Babeș-Bolyai University, Alba Iulia Department during 1994-1998. Since 1997 he has also attended the courses of Buna Vestire Institute in Blaj, graduating in 2002. He obtained the title of doctor in history Magna cum Laudae in 2011 at the Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, presenting his doctoral thesis The Church Organization of Romanian Greek-Catholics emigrated to the United States of America (1906-1990), coordinated by the University Professor PhD George Cipăianu. Petru Stinea was ordained on November 11, 2001, being appointed priest in Mihalț, Alba County in the same year. He administered the parish until June 22, 2013. Starting with June 24, 2013, he took over the administration of St. Helena Parish in Cleveland. On May 18, 2014, the priest Petru Stînea was appointed Very Reverend and Iconom Stavrofor of Saint Helena Church by Bishop Michael Botean.
(Information taken from "History of the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church in the United States of America," by Petru Stînea, Altip Publishing House, Alba Iulia, 2016.)
