Romanian Hierach Blesses Embassy in Columbia as Romanian Episcopate Celebrates Centenary

[CREDIT: mitropolia.us]

BOGOTÁ — His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas blessed the newly renovated headquarters of the Romanian Embassy in Bogotá on Monday, September 16, during his pastoral visit to Latin America.

According to mitropolia.us, the blessing service was attended by His Excellency Manuel Ioan Pleșa, Ambassador of Romania to Colombia, along with embassy staff and members of the local Orthodox community.

During his visit, Metropolitan Nicolae met with Metropolitan Iakovos of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, and Bishop Timothy of Assos, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Colombia and Venezuela of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The hierarchs discussed deepening cooperation among Orthodox jurisdictions in Latin America, with particular attention to founding a Spanish-language Orthodox theological institution to train future clergy.

Plans were also outlined for expanding pastoral outreach in Colombia through the establishment of new parishes and shared responsibilities among the hierarchs to address the growing spiritual needs of Orthodox faithful in the region.

The meetings concluded with a joint moleben service at the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Bogotá, co-officiated by the three hierarchs.

Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate

Later, Ambassador Pleșa hosted a symposium commemorating the Centennial of the Romanian Patriarchate. The event gathered clergy and representatives from multiple Orthodox Churches and Christian confessions, including Metropolitan Iakovos, Bishop Timothy, Archimandrite Simeon Lopez of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Father Alexandr Russos of the Moscow Patriarchate, and Father Juan Carlos, Director of Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations for the Colombian Episcopal Conference.

Guests viewed a photographic exhibition highlighting the historic elevation of the Romanian Orthodox Church to patriarchal status in 1925.

At the close of the celebration, Metropolitan Nicolae awarded Ambassador Pleșa the American Metropolitan Cross in recognition of his support for the Romanian Orthodox Church’s mission in Colombia. The Metropolitan also announced the establishment of an Orthodox chapel within the Romanian Embassy, serving both the diplomatic community and Romanian faithful living far from their homeland.

UOJ-USA recently reported on the Romanian Diocese of Ireland and Iceland's consecration of the new Diocesan Cathedral after acquiring a historic Anglican church in Dublin.

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