Prince Charles sends Paschal greetings to Romanians for Easter: Hristos a-nviat! (VIDEO)

The Prince of Wales has sent a video message for the Romanians, who celebrate Orthodox Easter. In it, he evokes the current health crisis and expresses the wish to travel again to Romania and also to meet again with members of the Romanian community in the United Kingdom.

The message was recorded on Friday at Birkhall, The Prince’s home in Scotland, according to the Romanian national news agency Agerpres.ro.

“As Romanians everywhere celebrate Orthodox Easter, I did just want you all to know how much I am thinking of you at this most holy time of the year”, says the prince in his short video message. “Easter, of course, is usually a time when people come together, to worship together and to renew their bonds of community and of faith.”

The prince further speaks of the Romanians from the United Kingdom whom the pandemic has prevented from reuniting with their relatives from Romania to celebrate Easter together. He also shows his appreciation for the “indispensable” role the Romanians play “in our National Health Service, our Care Homes, and in other key roles, as we address this unprecedented public health crisis”.

“We owe them an immense a debt of gratitude, and I can hardly say how much their remarkable efforts are appreciated by us all”, Prince Charles says. He also expresses his wish to meet again the members of Britain’s Romanian community and to see Romania again, which he says that it holds a special place in his heart.

Prince Charles ends his message addressing the Romanians the traditional Paschal Greetings: “Until then, I can only wish you all a very Happy Easter and to say how much you are in my special thoughts and prayers. Hristos a Înviat! (Christ is risen)”

The Prince of Wales has shown special attachment to Romania, which he frequently visits. He contributed, through Romanian NGO partners, to the restauration of some buildings which are important for the local Transylvanian identity. He owns property in Romania, especially in the rural area, which he considers a treasure of biodiversity and also of culture and tradition.

The photo above is taken at the London’s St Dunstan in the West Church, in Holborn, which hosts the Romanian Orthodox Community dedicated to St George. Last year, the Prince of Wales met there with Romanians from UK, joining them and Metropolitan Iosif in prayer to the „Pantanassa” Wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God. The service was chanted by the Romanian Parish’s Byzantine choir in three languages Romanian, English and Greek.