Kretzulescu Parish welcomes new deacon with Egyptian roots: Called to mission among youth

Sunday saw the ordination to the diaconate of Hany El-Sayed Ismail, a 39-year-old with Egyptian roots. The ordination was officiated by His Grace Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova at Kretzulescu church in Bucharest.

Hany’s grandfather was Egyptian, and although he was born in Romania, he was given uncommon names for the region. As Assistant Bishop Timotei explained, the ordination took place on the feast of the deacon’s patron saint.

“This morning, I discovered that Hany means Macarius and the ordination happened precisely on the feast day of this great hermit,” His Grace remarked.

“He is called to assist the priests of this church with his youth and zeal. In addition to his theological studies, he also has knowledge in other fields, which we hope will benefit the youth community here, in particular, as well as the entire Kretzulescu Parish,” said Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova.

After the ordination, Bishop Timotei encouraged the new deacon to look to the missionary examples of Saints Damianos and Macarius and, above all, to focus on Christ the Saviour as the ultimate model for every servant of the Church.

The hierarch praised deacon Hany-Macarie’s beautiful family, which includes four children. His Grace also revealed the deacon’s inspiring life story, which is marked by God’s providence. Orphaned at a young age, his sisters significantly supported him.

Father Victor Lucian Georgescu, the parish priest and Dean of Sector 1 Deanery in Bucharest, congratulated the new deacon, wishing him “a joyful, fruitful, and salvific ministry,” while highlighting the etymology of the name Macarius, which means happy or fortunate in Greek.

Deacon Hany-Macarie is also a skilled Byzantine music chanter and a member of the Nectarie Protopsaltis Choir.

Kretzulescu Church, one of Bucharest’s most beautiful and discreet churches, celebrated three centuries since its consecration in 2022.

For more pictures, please visit our Photo Gallery section.

Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene


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