On Thursday, Assistant Bishop Samuel of Bistrița from the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj received His Excellency Lior Ben Dor, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Romania, who paid his first official visit to Cluj-Napoca.
The Israeli ambassador expressed his appreciation for the city’s beauty and the openness of its community. Born into a family with Romanian roots — both parents being natives of the Moldavia region — the diplomat said the visit also held personal significance.
During the meeting, which took place at the Archdiocesan Centre, Assistant Bishop Samuel of Bistrița commended the ambassador’s diplomatic work and highlighted the excellent relations between the Metropolis of Cluj, Maramureș and Sălaj and the pilgrimage agencies in Israel.
The hierarch also mentioned the role of the “Renașterea” Pilgrimage Centre, through which many Romanian faithful have been able to visit the Holy Land.
Ambassador Lior Ben Dor conveyed a message of encouragement to Romanian pilgrims, emphasising the current stability that allows the resumption of visits in optimal conditions. His Excellency also noted the profound impact of direct contact with biblical history and the spiritual significance of pilgrimages to the Holy Places.
At the end of the meeting, Assistant Bishop Samuel thanked His Excellency for his visit and wished him success in his diplomatic mission in Bucharest, expressing full openness to future cooperation.
As a token of appreciation, His Grace offered the ambassador the volume “History of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan Residence in Cluj-Napoca”, published by Renașterea Publishing House.
Photo: Cluj Metropolis / Marian Șomlea
