The Mission Fund of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas has provided substantial financial assistance to support humanitarian relief operations in Venezuela, which was struck by a devastating earthquake last week.
In just three days, the Romanian Orthodox Parish of the Holy Emperors Constantine and Helen in Caracas prepared and distributed 2,500 hot meals.
Rather than focusing on the main emergency shelters, where international assistance is already available, parish volunteers chose to serve families sheltering in marketplaces and residential neighbourhoods where aid has been slower to arrive.
Relief efforts are continuing through the social outreach programme Alimentos de Amor (“Food of Love”), established several years ago by the parish priest, Fr Antonio García. Volunteers are distributing food, drinking water and essential supplies, while each evening the priest visits hospitals throughout the city to pray with the injured and with bereaved families.
Relief Effort Continues
Supported by donations from Romanian Orthodox faithful in the United States, the relief operation will continue daily until necessary, diocesan representatives said.
Each day, volunteers will prepare and distribute food, water and emergency supplies, with particular attention given to children left without family support and to the most vulnerable households.
“Every contribution to the Metropolis Mission Fund is being transformed these days into a hot meal, a food parcel, a bottle of water, a prayer and a tangible sign that the Church never abandons her children in times of suffering,” eparchial representatives said.
“In the midst of ruins and grief, the love of Christ continues to be revealed through the hands of those who choose to give,” said Fr Daniel Ene, eparchial vicar.
About the Earthquake
Two earthquakes measuring more than magnitude 7 struck northern Venezuela on the evening of 24 June 2026, with La Guaira Province suffering the most severe damage.
“In these days of trial, my thoughts and prayers are with the entire Venezuelan people, and especially with the Orthodox community in Caracas, whom God granted me the joy of knowing and shepherding during nearly twenty-four years of episcopal ministry,” Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas said following the disaster.
According to doctors quoted by international media, approximately 750 bodies are currently being processed each day, indicating that the true scale of the tragedy has yet to be fully assessed.
To date, 611 seismic events have been recorded, including 609 aftershocks, further complicating rescue and recovery operations.
Photo: mitropolia.us
