Orthodox Christian Church in Caroline County Receives Cross from Orphanage in Romania

Caroline County’s first Orthodox Christian Church, Holy Archangels in Hillsboro-Denton, MD, received a special hand-forged, four-foot iron cross for the top of their church building from the Pro Vita orphanage in Romania that Holy Archangels has supported for many years.  The church opened its doors in Caroline County in 2024 and holds weekly services on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on Major Feasts.  Priest and pastor, Fr. Robert Miclean has been leading mission trips for young adults and college students to the Pro Vita (“For Life”) orphanage in Romania since 2011.  Many of these young adults came from his 21-year ministry to the midshipmen at the USNA and the students at St. John’s College in Annapolis. 

As a result of this fifteen-year relationship, a special bond has developed between Holy Archangels and the Pro Vita orphanage, which houses over 300 abandoned or orphaned children, families fleeing abuse or in desperate financial situations, and, since the Russia-Ukraine war, two Ukrainian orphanages from Odessa, Ukraine, as well.  Pro Vita is a beautiful example of the Orthodox Church responding to a great need in desperate circumstances.  Holy Archangels, in supporting the orphanage, also shares in their ministry to “the least of these,” (Matt. 25) the beautiful and beloved children of the Pro Vita orphanage.  The cross, which figures prominently in Orthodox Christian worship and theology as the victory of Jesus Christ over death, was gifted in response to these many years of dedication and support on behalf of Holy Archangels. 

Holy Archangels is located at Terra Dulcis Farm (a nod to Caroline County’s seal, “Terra Dulcis Vivendum,” meaning ‘land of pleasant living.’)  This is the ‘Old Beaven’ farm at 11126 Tuckahoe Road.  The church welcomes all to “come and see” and experience the beauty of holiness and the depth of Orthodox Christian worship and also to share in her ministry to “the least of these” at Pro Vita orphanage and elsewhere (www.OrthodoxChesapeake.org).