Following the Oct. 1 mass shooting in Las Vegas, when 64-year-old Stephen Paddock opened fire at an open-air music festival from his room in a nearby hotel, His Eminence Nicolae, Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of the Americas, offered his condolences and prayers.
A statement posted on the diocesan website reads:
The priests and faithful of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas express their solidarity with the victims of the tragic event in Los Angeles, which is incomprehensible in our time.
We pray for the rest of the souls of those who passed away to the Lord in this tragic way, for the consolation of the bereaved families and for the recovery of the injured.
We also pray for our Romanian brother Luca Iclodean, who was injured in this tragic incident, and for his family.
In these moments, we must appreciate the gift of life and ask God to protect us from every danger, every evil circumstance, and every suffering.
We entreat the Lord to bestow His grace and blessing upon all those in distress, and to bring peace and light in the souls of those who are estranged from Him!
†Metropolitan Nicolae
Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas
Photograph: Basilica.ro
