Descent of the Holy Ghost

Photo Gallery

A glimpse into the life, worship, and community of our parish.

A recent Holy Baptism at Descent of the Holy Ghost — Fr. Daniel in white baptismal vestments, the newly baptized in their white robe, family and godparents before the iconostasis

Holy Baptism — a new member welcomed into the Body of Christ

The parish family of Descent of the Holy Ghost gathered before the iconostasis at Christmas — parishioners in red holiday attire, Christmas tree on the right, blue dome and stained glass above

The Parish Family at Nativity — Christmas Day

The parish family of Descent of the Holy Ghost gathered before the iconostasis — Fr. Daniel in gold vestments, parishioners in Romanian folk dress, children in front, stained glass dome above

The Parish Family — gathered before the iconostasis, Romanian folk dress and all generations

The entire parish family of Descent of the Holy Ghost gathered before the iconostasis on the Sunday of Orthodoxy — every person holding an icon, His Grace Bishop Andrei at center

The Parish Family — Sunday of Orthodoxy · Every person holding an icon

The parish family of Descent of the Holy Ghost gathered before the iconostasis with His Grace Bishop Andrei — all generations, children to grandparents, Romanian and American flags, Last Supper mosaic above the Royal Doors

The Parish Family with His Grace Bishop Andrei — before the iconostasis

Fr. Ioan Ionita, His Grace Bishop Andrei, Fr. Daniel Radu, and clergy standing before the Royal Doors of Descent of the Holy Ghost

Fr. Ioan Ionita · His Grace Bishop Andrei · Fr. Daniel Radu — before the Royal Doors

His Grace Bishop Andrei with the parish of Descent of the Holy Ghost on the Sunday of Orthodoxy — every person holding an icon before the iconostasis

Sunday of Orthodoxy — His Grace Bishop Andrei with the parish, every person holding an icon

Children of Descent of the Holy Ghost with Easter baskets after the 2026 Paschal egg hunt in front of the church

Paschal Egg Hunt 2026 — the children of our parish

The Bridegroom Service of Holy Week — the carved kouvouklion adorned with white lilies, the Annunciation icon through the Royal Doors, blue dome above

The Bridegroom Service — Holy Week at Descent of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Altar of Descent of the Holy Ghost — wooden Crucifix, embroidered altar cloth, golden candlesticks, and magnificent stained glass windows

The Holy Altar — the Crucifix and stained glass windows of Descent of the Holy Ghost

The iconostasis and interior of Descent of the Holy Ghost — icons, stained glass dome, flowers, and the Royal Doors

The iconostasis of Descent of the Holy Ghost — Merrillville, Indiana

The original Romanian Orthodox Church in Gary, Indiana — September 10, 1925, the day repairs began

Fața Bisericii Ort. Rom. din Gary — September 10th, 1925

Sfințirea Bisericii Române — Consecration of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Gary, Indiana — the entire parish gathered before the church

Sfințirea Bisericii Române din Gary — The Consecration of the Romanian Church

The exterior dome of Descent of the Holy Ghost at dusk — golden cross, stained glass windows glowing, candle held below

The dome of Descent of the Holy Ghost — stained glass glowing at dusk

His Grace Bishop Andrei with the parish of Descent of the Holy Ghost

His Grace Bishop Andrei with the parish family

The parish gathered with His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel before the iconostasis

A visit from His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel of blessed memory

Christ Pantocrator icon — "Jesus Christ, Ο ΩΝ" — the large icon at the top interior of Descent of the Holy Ghost

Christ Pantocrator — "The One Who Is" — icon of our Lord Jesus Christ

The Resurrection icon of Christ surrounded by flowers on the epitaphios — Pascha 2026 at Descent of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Resurrection — The Resurrection icon adorned with flowers, Pascha 2026

Fr. Daniel Radu and Fr. John Ionita with the Women's Auxiliary

Fr. Daniel Radu, Fr. John Ionita & the Women's Auxiliary

Fr. Daniel Radu with the 2025 Parish Council before the iconostasis

Fr. Daniel Radu with the 2025 Parish Council

Altar servers with Fr. Daniel Radu and Fr. John Ionita before the stained glass windows

Altar servers with Fr. Daniel Radu & Fr. John Ionita

Altar servers in cassocks before the stained glass windows and golden processional crosses

The altar servers of Descent of the Holy Ghost

Altar servers of all ages in cassocks holding candles and processional cross before the IC XC NIKA stained glass window

Altar servers — young and old — serving before the IC XC NIKA window

The Holy Altar of Descent of the Holy Ghost — crucifix, candlesticks, Gospel book, and magnificent stained glass windows

The Holy Altar — candlesticks and stained glass of Descent of the Holy Ghost

The Mother of God icon — MP ΘV — on the altar door of Descent of the Holy Ghost, with the Christ Child IC XC and a hanging oil lamp

Μήτηρ Θεοῦ — Mother of God · The altar door icon of the Theotokos

Sunday School children and families gathered on the lawn outside Descent of the Holy Ghost — the brick church, dome, and cross visible behind them

Sunday School — children and families outside the church after an event

Fr. Daniel Radu with parish families, children, and local police K9 officers gathered in the parish hall during a church fundraiser

Parish Fundraiser — Fr. Daniel with families and local K9 officers in the parish hall

Sunday School children and families seated at a long table enjoying pizza together in the parish hall during a Sunday School event

Sunday School Pizza Party — children and families gathered in the parish hall

Sunday School children and families gathered in front of a large inflatable slide at Funflatables — kids of all ages with parents smiling for a group photo

Sunday School at Funflatables — a day of fun for the whole parish family

Sunday School children doing Easter crafts at a long table in the classroom — icons on the walls, He Is Risen Indeed banner in the background

Easter Crafts in the Sunday School Classroom — "He Is Risen Indeed!"

Sunday School children lined up along the wall outside the Sunday School room with their Easter baskets, waiting patiently before the egg hunt

The children lined up with their Easter baskets — ready for the egg hunt!

All the Sunday School children dressed up and gathered together in the parish hall with their Easter baskets — toddlers to teenagers, all smiling for a group photo

Sunday School Easter Group Photo — all the children of the parish, baskets in hand

Women's Auxiliary members proudly holding their butterfly paintings after a painting event following coffee hour at Descent of the Holy Ghost — May 2026

Women's Auxiliary Painting Event — after coffee hour, May 2026

Women's Auxiliary ladies gathered around a long table at a Christmas dinner outing — festive decorations, string lights, and warm smiles

Women's Auxiliary Christmas Dinner Outing

Women's Auxiliary ladies gathered at a summer lunch outing — brick walls, casual atmosphere, all smiling together

Women's Auxiliary Summer Lunch Gathering

Women's Auxiliary ladies at an elegant winter dinner — dressed up, smiling around a beautifully set table with a Mediterranean mural in the background

Women's Auxiliary Winter Dinner Celebration

The choir of Descent of the Holy Ghost led by the choir director at music stands — Fr. Ioan Ionita at right, brick arches and stained glass of the church in the background

The Choir of Descent of the Holy Ghost — led in song before the congregation

Fr. Daniel Radu and Fr. Ioan Ionita seated in red vestments before the iconostasis surrounded by parish family at Christmas — the Last Supper mosaic and stained glass above

Fr. Daniel & Fr. Ioan with the parish family at Christmas — before the iconostasis

Fr. Ioan Ionita and Fr. Daniel Radu in white vestments at the altar with altar servers — the golden processional cross, candlesticks, and brilliant stained glass windows behind them

Fr. Ioan & Fr. Daniel at the Holy Altar — Divine Liturgy at Descent of the Holy Ghost

Descent of the Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church exterior at golden hour — the bell tower with cross, stone memorial cross in the foreground, green trees and blue sky

Descent of the Holy Ghost — 750 W 61st Ave, Merrillville, Indiana

The full interior of Descent of the Holy Ghost — the iconostasis with all the saints in gold, Christ Pantocrator icon above the arch, glowing blue dome, wooden pews, and stained glass windows

The Interior of Descent of the Holy Ghost — the iconostasis, Christ Pantocrator, and the blue dome

The Installation of Fr. Daniel Radu as pastor of Descent of the Holy Ghost — His Grace Bishop Andrei presiding, surrounded by priests from across the diocese gathered in full liturgical vestments

Installation of Fr. Daniel Radu — His Grace Bishop Andrei presiding with the clergy of the diocese

The entire parish of Descent of the Holy Ghost gathered outside at midnight for the Paschal procession — candles glowing, processional cross and icon banner raised, Fr. Daniel at the Gospel table, the brick church wall behind them — Pascha 2026

The Paschal Midnight Procession — "Christ is Risen!" · Pascha 2026

His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel in full hierarchical vestments — visiting Descent of the Holy Ghost

His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel — visiting Descent of the Holy Ghost

Fr. Daniel Radu with parishioners and Merrillville Police K9 officers at the church's K9 Fundraiser

Merrillville Police K9 Fundraiser — hosted by Descent of the Holy Ghost

Fr. Daniel Radu and parishioners gathered with Lake Station Fire Department members at the fundraiser

Lake Station Fire Department Fundraiser — hosted by Descent of the Holy Ghost

Donation check presentation to Lake Station Fire Department at the fundraiser hosted by Descent of the Holy Ghost

Donation Presentation — Lake Station Fire Department Fundraiser

Parishioners and children of Descent of the Holy Ghost gathered around a table writing cards and letters for Phil's Friends ministry

Phil's Friends — Writing Cards of Hope

Parishioners of Descent of the Holy Ghost at Phil's Friends — we bring hope — in front of a map showing 50,000 care packages and 250,000 lives impacted from 2006 to 2023

Phil's Friends — We Bring Hope · 50,000 care packages distributed nationally

The choir of Descent of the Holy Ghost singing Christmas carols in a parishioner's home during the annual caroling

Annual Christmas Caroling — the choir brings the joy of the Nativity to parishioners' homes

Have photos from parish events, feast days, or community gatherings? We would love to include them. Contact the parish office to share your photos.

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