Year consecrated 2004 Height 27 m | Leadership Bojan Aleksandrović Opened 2004 Region Timočka Krajina Groundbreaking 2003 | |
The Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel Romanian Orthodox Church (Romanian: Biserica „Sf. Arhangheli Mihail şi Gavriil” Mălainiţa) is a church in Malajnica, Timočka Krajina, Serbia, consecrated in 2004. It is the first Romanian church in eastern Serbia in 170 years, during which time Romanians in Timoc had not been allowed to hear liturgy services in their native language. It is also a notable topic of Romania–Serbia relations, the church not being recognized by the Serbian authorities.
Bojan Aleksandrović initially tried to seek building permission, approaching Negotin council (to whose jurisdiction the village belongs) in November 2003. Aleksandrović built the church and adjoining rectory in 2004 on his private property and began using it for worship in the autumn of 2004. On 4 December 2004, Bishop Daniil (Stoenescu) – who heads the Romanian diocese in Serbia – dedicated the church bells. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Romania) noted on 10 January 2005 that its embassy in Belgrade had maintained constant contact with Bojan Aleksandrović since the previous month about the fate of his church in Malajnica. But on 20 January 2005, Negotin council issued Bojan Aleksandrović with an order to demolish the church, the belfry and the parish house within 15 days. On 21 January 2005 – the day after the demolition order was issued – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Romania) expressed "deep regret" over the way the local authorities had behaved, especially as planning permission is not required in the village.
The president of Romania Traian Băsescu attended a religious service in the church on November 2, 2011.