Fund for Assistance to the ROCOR

When Matushka Hanna found out that her husband was going to be ordained into the priesthood, she was extremely excited. “This is what you need to do!” she told him.


The couple’s plan was simple: Fr. Demetrio Romeo would get ordained and continue working pro bono full-time at the only Orthodox School in the area. Matushka Hanna would toil on for a few more years at getting her Ph.D. in molecular epidemiology.


The future seemed bright and easy: a Ph.D. would allow matushka Hanna to get a permanent teaching position, that would provide not only the family, but also their small parish with a steady income.

Fr. Demetrio would be able to continue working for free as a chaplain and teacher at the St Luke the Blessed Surgeon chapel at the Paideia Classical Academy in Coconut Creek, FL.

But three weeks after Fr. Demetrio’s ordination, matushka was hospitalized with strange pains.

It was cancer.

She fought for a year and won. But a few weeks ago, just as they thought she was safe, the pains came back…

Matushka was hospitalized and operated again.

This means that she might not be able to go back to work full-time any time soon.
It is also possible that her dreams of getting a Ph.D. and giving most of her income to the parish will never turn into reality, or will be delayed indefinitely. Fr. Demetrio will have to find a secular job and give up at least part of his duties at church and at the school.

This is why I’m asking you for help.

While the family does have medical insurance, because of Matushka's illness, they have lost their only source of income.

If you send a donation today, you will allow Fr Demetrio to pay off some of his wife’s medical expenses and to be relieved of some of the emotional and material burdens heavily weighing down on him at the moment.

He will remain focused on the children at the school, the spiritual lives and needs of his parish of 30 people. If Father Demetrio is forced to think about the mundane cares and stress of this life, he will be unable to prepare souls for the other.
Please, consider helping this amazing couple at their moment of need!

God willing, in a few months, this difficult time will become a distant memory for the Romeos, and matushka Hanna will get better and keep working on her generous plan to benefit our Church.

But while matushka is sick, please, show her the generosity that she has shown her Church.

Please, help today. If you cannot – please pray for Priest Demetrio and Matushka Hanna. They need your spiritual, as well as monetary support.

Mark Selawry
Fund for Assistance to ROCOR
President

P.S. Every day that goes by, there is less and less chance for Fr. Demetrio to continue working full-time for our Church. Please donate now!