On Tuesday, Presidential Advisor Cristian Diaconescu visited the Romanian Orthodox Church’s representation in Jerusalem, where he met with the Very Rev. Archimandrite Teofil Anăstăsoaie, the Romanian Patriarchate’s representative to the Holy Places.
“We discussed several issues faced by Romanian pilgrims coming to the Holy Land, as well as the mission we run here on this sacred ground,” Archimandrite Teofil Anăstăsoaie reported.
“His Excellency showed openness in forwarding these concerns to Israeli decision-makers and his governmental counterparts—especially those related to access during major religious feasts and participation in holy services.”
“We are glad His Excellency is someone who shares Christian Orthodox values and expressed joy at stepping into the Romanian Church in Jerusalem, where our national flag is proudly raised atop the highest point of the dome. This is also where the Holy Fire lamp begins its journey back to Romania to celebrate Pascha,” the representative added.
Prayers for peace
The visit was also a moment for prayer for Romania and world peace.
“We offered a prayer in our ancestral tongue for the Romanian people, with the hope that God may bless our nation and bring peace once again—especially in the Holy Land, where Romanian pilgrims are awaited to once again share in the fellowship of these biblical places, the very sources of our faith, which we preserve here,” said Archimandrite Teofil.
“Pilgrims wish to pray and worship in complete safety, especially as the region undergoes negotiations in hopes of achieving the long-awaited peace—one that would allow normal life to resume and, above all, the return of pilgrims to the holy sites.”
Useful Information
The address of the Romanian establishment in Jerusalem is Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate, 46 Shivtei Israel St., 95105 Jerusalem, Israel.
The Romanian Patriarchate also maintains a settlement in Jericho and a skete by the Jordan River, which is set to be rebuilt after being ruined during the 1967 armed conflict.
More information can be found at Jerusalem.ro.
Photo: Facebook / Biserica Ortodoxă Română Ierusalim
