Fr. Martin Halík presented the Orthodox mission among the Roma in the USA

In Washington, Fr. Martin Halík presented a unique mission project in Roma settlements, for which he left a successful career in the IT sector.

After the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at the Cathedral of St. Nicholas (OCA) in Washington, Fr. Martin Halík gave a presentation about his many years of mission and charitable work. Fr. Martin currently serves the parish in Markovce in eastern Slovakia, and he told the American faithful the story of how the “Christian Roma Mission” came to be. The Washington cathedral reported on the presentation on its Facebook page.

From IT to a Roma settlement

Fr. Martin Halík's story is truly exceptional. Years ago he left a promising career in IT and design to move straight into a wooden shack in a Roma settlement in Klenovec. Together with his wife Michaela, a psychologist, he created a model of mission that today shows concrete results:

• Founding parishes: Two entirely new parishes were built up, and other existing ones were transformed, where Roma now attend fully.
• Education: More than 200 Roma children have learned to read and write thanks to the mission. In all, the mission has brought the Gospel to over 1 000 children.
• Social effect: More than 50 fathers from the communities found steady work thanks to spiritual support and guidance.

Fr. Martin Halík's mission trip across the USA, which began with his taking part in a conference in Boston, continues with meetings with bishops and the faithful across America.