Synaxarion

Father Mihai Stoica


Father Mihai Stoica originates from Jijila village, Tulcea county, Romania. Called by God, he pursued theology, graduating in 2009 from the "Saint John Cassian" Orthodox Theological High School Seminary in the city of Tulcea. He then attended the "Saint Andrew the Apostle" Faculty of Theology at "Ovidius" University in Constanța, graduating with degrees in Theology-Music in 2012 and Theology-Pastoral Studies in 2013. Subsequently, in 2014, he received his master's degree. During his university years, he was active in the "Cuvânt Bun" Orthodox Men's Choir and the "Armonia" Orthodox Men's Choir, remaining a member of the latter to this day.

In 2017, he moved to Scotland, where he worked and participated in the services and activities of the "Saints Joachim and Anne and the Holy Cross" parish, alongside Fr. Andrei Dosoftei, in Aberdeen as well as in Dundee and Inverness—for example, chanting at the cantor's desk, assisting in the altar, and directing the church choir.

In 2021, he defended his doctoral thesis, and in 2022, together with his wife, Irina-Cristina, and their daughter, he returned to Constanța. On January 1, 2023, he was ordained as a deacon, serving in this rank for over three years alongside His Eminence Father Teodosie, Archbishop of Tomis. In 2024, he became a father for the second time, now also having a son.

By the Grace of God, with the blessing of His Eminence Father Teodosie, His Eminence Father Atanasie, and at the invitation of Father Andrei, he was ordained as a priest on May 21, 2026, and subsequently elevated to father confessor. Returning with his family to Scotland, on July 1, 2026, he was appointed parish priest of the "Saints Joachim and Anne and the Holy Cross" Eastern Orthodox Parish in Aberdeen and its branch in Inverness.

Father Emanuel Marius Brezeanu

On 4th January 2026, the subdeacon Emanuel Marius Brezeanu was ordained deacon by His Eminence Athanasios in the Parish of Saint Andrew the Apostle in Dundee. On the occasion of the parish feast, on 15 March 2026, on the Feast of the Holy Cross, Emanuel Brezeanu was ordained priest for the Dundee parish.

Father Christopher Wallace


Father Christopher Wallace was born in Northern England and completed Teacher Training at Durham University. He taught Geography, Geology and Religious Studies in several schools in England and also in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland after moving to Ardnamurchan on the west coast in the mid 1980s. In 1976 he joined the Orthodox Church through the tuition of the Nuns of the Monastery of the Assumption near Whitby. He worshipped for many years in both Edinburgh and Dunblane and became a priest in the Exarchate of Russian tradition in 2011 and set up a small community for the faithful on the west coast. At the demise of the Exarchate he was accepted by Metropolitan Iosif to work with the Romanian Orthodox Church as priest in Inverness. Since 1993 he is married to Preoteasa Elizabeth and moved in 2020 to the Inverness area for health reasons.
The Romanian Community in Inverness is dedicated to Saint Finnan and Saint Nicolas with the blessing of Metropolitan Iosif.