Metropolitan Iosif prays for Romanian victims following Genoa bridge collapse

His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe prayed Sunday, August 19, at the Holy Archangels Romanian Orthodox Cathedral in Paris for the rest of the souls of the young Romanians who died following the Genoa bridge collapse.

At least 43 people were killed when a section of the 1,102-metre-long (3,615 ft) Ponte Morandi collapsed.

Memorial service

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Iosif led a memorial service for the souls of Marian Rosca and Anatolie Malai.

Anatolie Malai, 44, born in the Republic of Moldova, was married and had three children. He worked as a truck driver.

Romanian truck driver Marian Rosca, 36, died at San Martino Hospital in Genoa following severe cranial and chest injuries.

His death raises to 43 the number of people who died when the Morandi Bridge collapsed.

The Metropolitan of Western and Southern Europe also commemorated Rev. Constantin Tarziu, former minister at the Holy Archangels Cathedral, on his 40th day memorial.

Imminence of death

During his homily, His Eminence referred to the imminence of death.

‘Death does not wait,’ Metropolitan Iosif said urging the believers to lead a life in conformity with Christ’s commandments in order to be better prepared for our passing away to the Lord.

He said that we can prepare through prayer, good deeds, and ‘by freeing our soul from the treasure we cannot separate from, which is everything we possess in this world and because of what we are hindered to follow Christ and give Him our lives.’

Death awakens us to life

‘Paradoxically, death awakens us to life, to this life and the life beyond. When some young people die they seem to cry out to us: pay attention to life and prepare yourselves for the departure.’

At the end, Metropolitan Iosif read out Patriarch Daniel’s message to all Romanians living abroad.

Read also: Romanian Diocese of Italy expresses solidarity with victims of Genoa bridge collapse

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