since 2024Orthodox priests have had families since AD 33. In the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Innocent II only forbade it in 1139.
A designer who wanted to be famous
He has made websites since he was thirteen. At the end of 2011 he starts Arounded with a colleague, a service for lending cars between people. In 2016 he leads design at Kiwi.com.
The house in Klenovec
Martin leads design at Kiwi.com. The area around Klenovec had already lodged itself in his head, he could not say why: huge unemployment, divorce, drugs. With colleagues from the firm they bought a house here, and thought that as young entrepreneurs they would know how to help.
Four months in the Roma settlement
In March 2017 he moves into the Roma settlement in Klenovec. To really get to know the people, he lives right among them. Later he will write: “I have no regrets to this day, those were the happiest years of my life.”
Together in Klenovec
In August 2018 Martin marries Michaela. After the wedding they move to Klenovec, and they have served here together ever since.
The mission gets its name
On 14 September 2020 the Christian Roma Mission is registered.
Bricklaying and multimedia workshop
Since April 2021 the boys learn bricklaying after school from a master builder. In 2022 a multimedia workshop is added. The children learn to work hard, to be responsible and to work with equipment.
A log building in the Roma settlement of Mútnik
In the Roma settlement there is no electricity and no room where children could learn. At the end of June 2022 the log building is finished, a classroom and a chapel. The children help with the building. In July it is consecrated as the chapel of Mary Magdalene.
The children launch a T-shirt e-shop
They print their own graphics on a T-shirt and see the internet from the other side. The T-shirts are printed by children from the Roma settlement or by their teachers.
Fathers are working
Every healthy father in the Roma settlement in Klenovec has a job. Before, it was less than half of them.
A former IT man and a future priest
On 25 May 2024 Archbishop Juraj ordains Martin a deacon in the cathedral in Košice. In June the daily Postoj calls him a future priest in an interview. Soon after, he receives his priestly ordination in Michalovce. Markíza airs three reports about the mission.
The parish in Markovce
Since the summer of 2024 Fr. Martin has served in the Orthodox church community of Markovce, in the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God. Roma boys serve at the altar and a children's choir sings in the church. On 17 November 2024 Archbishop Juraj brings here part of the relics of St Athanasios Hamakiotis.
Ajťák z osady
In May Česká televize airs a documentary in the series Cesty víry. In October a delegation of the Orthodox Church in America comes to Markovce with Archbishop Juraj.
Thirteen stops in the USA and new reports
In March Fr. Martin presents the mission to Orthodox parishes in the United States. In the autumn STVR airs reports about it.
