LIBERTY Galați and GFG Foundation announce that they will offer financial and logistic support for the painting of the Saint Apostles Andrew and Nicholas Church in partnership with “Dunărea de Jos” Archdiocese and the Municipality of Galati, as part of an extensive community engagement program which will include social, educational, and charity projects.

Ajay Aggarwal, President of LIBERTY Steel Group in Europe and Chairman of the Board at LIBERTY Galati, stated: “We are very happy to extend our partnership with “Dunărea de Jos” Archdiocese for the benefit of parishioners, children and young people and collaborate with all our stakeholders in Galati to develop comprehensive social and educational programs for our local communities. We are glad to support the Romanian Orthodox Church to complete the interior painting works for the Church. Together with the GFG Foundation we have already launched a new dual learning programme for Galati students and we plan to develop further impactful community projects in partnership with the City Hall, the City Council and other authorities in Galati.”

Gelu Aron, the Archdiocese’s Ecclesiastical Administrative Counsellor, added: “During the recent meeting between representatives of the LIBERTY steel plant and of the GFG Foundation and the  “Dunărea de Jos” Archdiocese leadership, a partnership in the social and philanthropic fields was established, in particular to support children in need and at risk of school drop-out. At the same time, LIBERTY will support the completion of the renovation works of the Steelworkers Church, located at the entrance of the steelworks”.

The Church of St. Apostles Andrew and St. Nicholas, which is on the Galati steelworks’ land, was built with the steelworks’ support in record time before it was consecrated in 2002. Known as the “Steelworkers’ Cathedral”, this church is the only one of its kind in Romania and the favorite place of prayer for many employees and contractors of LIBERTY Galati as well as local parishioners. The new investment will help with the completion of the interior painting works for the “Saint Apostles Andrew and Nicholas” Church, according to the iconographic plan approved by the Romanian Patriarchate. The painting will be completed in two stages – the first phase will take place in July-November 2022 and the second phase in 2023-2024.

The church was recently visited by Her Majesty Princess Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Radu of Romania and Princess Sofia, distinguished representatives of the Royal House as well as local and national authorities.