Clergy serving Romanian Orthodox communities in South America were welcomed on Friday, 17 July, at the Patriarchal Palace by Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești, who described their missionary work as “truly admirable.”
The delegation from Latin America is visiting Romania for a month-long stay at Putna Monastery, where the clergy will deepen their knowledge of Romanian Orthodox liturgical life and spirituality.
The delegation was led by Fr Daniel Ene, diocesan vicar of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas, and included Fr Antonio García, parish priest of the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen in Caracas, Venezuela; Fr Esteban Diaz, who serves the Romanian Orthodox community in Barrancahia, Colombia; Fr Rafael Padilla, parish priest of St Joseph of Partoș Church in Quito, Ecuador; together with Fr Alex Vladimir Aedo Vilugrón and Deacon Nicolas from the Church of St Silouan the Athonite and St Philothea in Concepción, Chile—the southernmost Romanian Orthodox parish in the world.
The Romanian Orthodox Church in Latin America
Bishop Varlaam explained that the growth of Romanian Orthodox communities in Latin America has resulted both from the Romanian diaspora and from local people who have embraced Orthodoxy after discovering the spirituality of the Christian East.
“Over the past 20 to 30 years, through the Romanian diaspora, but especially through the abundance of information about Orthodoxy, some local people in Latin American countries began asking what this faith was—a faith unknown to the overwhelming majority of Christians in Latin America—and they began studying the Orthodox Christian tradition.”
Speaking about the pastoral ministry of the clergy serving in Latin America, the Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop praised “the extraordinary zeal, the very strong faith and the highly dynamic ministry of the priests in Latin America.”
He also noted that although other Orthodox Churches were already present in the region, many converts “preferred the Romanian Orthodox Church precisely because of the maternal love we have shown them.”
Bishop Varlaam also spoke about plans to establish a Spanish-language theological institution to meet the needs of new converts who “wish to deepen their understanding of Christianity in the Byzantine tradition, which has remained largely unknown throughout history to Christians in Latin America.”
The purpose of the Romanian Orthodox mission
Fr Daniel Ene, diocesan vicar of the Metropolis of the Americas, presented an overview of the communities in the region.
“We have seven Romanian Orthodox parishes in Latin America. We can say that the defining characteristic of our parishes is missionary work, philanthropic activity and, of course, pastoral care for Romanians.”
Fr Alex Aedo, dean of the newly established Deanery of Latin America, also spoke about the beginnings of the Church’s mission in Chile, noting that the local community’s church was consecrated in 2025 by Metropolitan Nicolae of the Americas.
The Romanian parish in Venezuela
Fr Antonio García of the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen in Caracas highlighted the parish’s charitable ministry.
“We are a unique parish made up of both Romanians and Venezuelans. We base our ministry on the teachings of the Holy Fathers and strive to live as the first Christian communities did.”
He also spoke about the parish’s response to the tragedy caused by the recent earthquake in Venezuela, where, according to the latest estimates, more than 5,000 people have died, and another 50,000 remain missing.
“Knowing Metropolitan Nicolae’s love for Venezuela, we were able to respond immediately by being present in hospitals alongside those who were suffering, and through a charitable initiative called Food from Love for everyone in need of basic food supplies.”
Concluding his remarks, Fr Antonio García said: “More than financial assistance, what we need now in Venezuela is your prayers.”
During their visit, the delegation also took a guided tour of the Patriarchal Palace and, upon leaving, received gifts from the Romanian Patriarchate.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene
