Our Romanian American Way of Life
by V. Rev. Dr. Remus Grama

Since the 1900’s when the first Romanians began to organize their churches, a certain Romanian American way of life started to emerge.  Every culture, every nation, every church has its way.  The Greeks had their “paidea” or their way of doing things.  In certain ways we could talk about ours.

The Romanian Americans established their institutions, churches, societies, and newspapers early.  Belonging to them was a matter of honor, of being counted and recognized.  They built their village which was necessary for them for mutual assistance, and especially to rear their families in, to educate and keep children and to be saved in.

Looking back, many tend to think it was the lack of education which kept people together.  How wrong they are.  It was the need to understand and be understood; to speak a common language not only of words, but of ideas, ways of life, foods, dress, preoccupations and meanings.  There was a need for God and the conviction that they have and must preserve and convey the true Faith.  There was a basic human solidarity which kept them together.  There were spiritual, cultural and national ideals they refused to lose.  For this they became members of societies, clubs and churches.

Today things shouldn’t be different, but they are.  Though the new immigration brings faithful young people, large numbers of them are all professionals, speak English and seem self sufficient.  At least this is what they all think for the first years.  It is not rare that we hear: “I do not want to do anything with the Romanian community.”  Little do they know that when they say this they deny their own mother and father.  Little do they know that when they come across like this the American environment places them under question, for he who does not respect his own will he ever respect and love the country which adopts him?

My message at the beginning of this year, especially for the many, many young families which came to America in the last 10 years is: Become involved in your local Romanian American community!  Be church members; groom your souls and bring up your children in the Orthodox Faith, the true way to salvation!  Do not allow the spirit of temptations, shame of your identity or any inferiority to underscore or minimize you.

Our Romanian community is known in America and to Americans and it has a very good name.  Your forefathers contributed to the making of this great nation.  Here in Cleveland we have the oldest Romanian Orthodox church in the U.S.A., we have the statue of General Pomutz who fought in the Civil War and other testimonies of greatness.  They are our roots and our guarantors inasmuch as we become theirs and identify ourselves with this way of life, here.

You will only be a good American inasmuch as you are a good Romanian.  There is a political “either/or” falsehood.  No one is asking you to give up your identity, but to embrace it deeper; by loving it in the context we are blessed by God to live in.  This includes a diversity in which a Christian must be comfortable, because our main tenet of faith is “love.”

At the beginning of a new year, I invite you to join our ways, to enroll in our church, societies and clubs and let us and others know your true self, as God intended it to be, but please do not hide from us.  Life is too short to live it in hiding and our way, as imperfect as it may be, will be made better by your coming among us.  It is your turn to change it and make it more functional.

America was, is and will always be a great country.  Yes, like any place on earth it has its ups and downs, pluses and minuses, but it is hospitable and humane; it is based on sound values and it offers room for so many cultures and faiths, which mingle together in a unique democratic harmony.  Our way of life is deeply Christian and, therefore, optimistic and we are called to sanctify the land and the country with our faith and our own specific virtues.  Looking to the last 100 years of Romanian American experience, those who invested themselves in our way of life have made it.  Many were acclaimed by main stream America.  Some are among us: leaders, business men and women, professionals, researchers, professors, artists, writers, clergymen, politicians, etc.

As we enter the New Year, I urge all, new arrivals and home grown to rekindle your interest in church and Romanian American organizations and, to paraphrase J.F. Kennedy, ask yourself not what the church is doing for you, but what YOU can do for your church and our American Romanian way of life.  Happy New Year!

* from "The Good Shepherd" Newsletter (January 2010) of St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral, Cleveland OH